Throughout our human existence, we have collectively accumulated concepts and information that an average person is typically supposed to be aware of, better known as general or common knowledge. Like, for example, the fact that the Earth revolves around the sun or that a week has seven days. However, due to our different backgrounds, upbringings, educations, professions, and many other factors, what we think encompasses common knowledge can hugely vary.
Many people assumed the facts you’ll find below were common knowledge but were surprised to learn otherwise. Scroll down to see them for yourself, and be sure to upvote those that caught you off guard.
To ensure that the communicated information was clear, the speaker should also encourage questions and feedback from their audience. If there are any knowledge gaps left, the person can then clarify the information, providing the missing puzzle pieces. Remember, clear, concise, and accessible communication can bridge people’s knowledge levels, which can result in an environment where information, inclusivity, and innovation can thrive.
#23
Taking out your credit/debit card / cash out before you are asked to by the cashier / checkout staff saves time for everyone, rather than looking shocked that you have to pay for your shopping.
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42points
#24
Tax brackets. You won't end up paying more in taxes than the extra income if you go up a bracket. Only the income ABOVE the cutoff is taxed at the higher rate, not your total income.
I had to explain this to a guy in his sixties, literal years away from retirement.
I had to explain this to a guy in his sixties, literal years away from retirement.
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41points
#25
Don't pet service dogs. I used to think everyone knew this, until I got one.
Don't pet them, talk to them, make kissy noises, bark at them (grown a*s adults barking at service dogs is shockingly common), whistle, clap, none of that s**t. Do not do anything to deliberately draw the dog's attention.
If they are distracted, the handler could get hurt or even die. Not exaggerating. If a medical alert dog misses an impending medical emergency, the person doesn't have time to get into a safe position or take rescue medications. If they have a seizure or slip into a diabetic coma or something because you distracted their service dog *it is your fault.*.
Don't pet them, talk to them, make kissy noises, bark at them (grown a*s adults barking at service dogs is shockingly common), whistle, clap, none of that s**t. Do not do anything to deliberately draw the dog's attention.
If they are distracted, the handler could get hurt or even die. Not exaggerating. If a medical alert dog misses an impending medical emergency, the person doesn't have time to get into a safe position or take rescue medications. If they have a seizure or slip into a diabetic coma or something because you distracted their service dog *it is your fault.*.
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40points
#26
How to stay in one's own lane when turning from one street to another.
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39points
#27
The passing lane is for PASSING, not for your leisurely drive under the speed limit.
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38points
#30
That WWI and WWII were real and separate events that really happened, not just movies. Talking to her was deeply painful.
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36points
#31
That birth control is not 100% effective, even an IUD. Even your tubes being tied or a vasectomy.
THAT BIRTH CONTROL DOES NOT PROTECT FROM STI'S.
Yes you can get pregnant having s*x on your monthly.
No formula is not better for the baby than breast milk.
And my mother in-law takes the cake: Yes, women do in fact create and birth boys.
(To clarify - we were driving one day and she very seriously and flat out said to me that she was confused how she made a son because she's a woman.).
THAT BIRTH CONTROL DOES NOT PROTECT FROM STI'S.
Yes you can get pregnant having s*x on your monthly.
No formula is not better for the baby than breast milk.
And my mother in-law takes the cake: Yes, women do in fact create and birth boys.
(To clarify - we were driving one day and she very seriously and flat out said to me that she was confused how she made a son because she's a woman.).
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34points
#32
That other planets are visible from Earth. And the sun is also a star.
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33points
#33
That the vast majority of telecommunications traffic between countries is carried via undersea fiber optic cables.
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31points
#34
I work in IT and I’m constantly helping people who:
•Don’t know what the Windows key is.
•Don’t know Internet Explorer/Chrome/Firefox are web browsers.
•Making your password your name is a really poor choice.
•Don’t know what the Windows key is.
•Don’t know Internet Explorer/Chrome/Firefox are web browsers.
•Making your password your name is a really poor choice.
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30points
#35
Everyone seems to get close to wild animals for pictures and think it’s ok. We are not all one with nature and animals like their space and don’t trust you.
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30points
#36
The Guinness book of world records is actually made by the beer company. It started out as something they gave for free to pubs who stocked guiness to help resolve pub bets between friends.
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29points
#37
Alcohol has calories.
I had to be the one to tell my friend when she was in her mid-20s that the vodka she loved has calories. She was so shocked and said, "What!! I thought since it was clear like water it didn't have any calories.".
I had to be the one to tell my friend when she was in her mid-20s that the vodka she loved has calories. She was so shocked and said, "What!! I thought since it was clear like water it didn't have any calories.".
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28points
#38
You have to look at the toilet paper after wiping to determine how much p*o is left on your butt.
You also have to touch your b******e with the paper.
No, it is not "gay" to clean yourself.
You also have to touch your b******e with the paper.
No, it is not "gay" to clean yourself.
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26points
#39
When my 50 year old sister was asking how the stars can reflect sunlight at night when the earth should be blocking it.
I have never recovered from that question.
P.S. I study astrophysics as a hobby my entire life.
I have never recovered from that question.
P.S. I study astrophysics as a hobby my entire life.
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25points
#40
That margarine isn’t butter...it hurts my soul when people refer to margarine as butter.
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24points
