10 Cultural Taboos to Avoid When Visiting Australia

Known as "Down Under" by a lot of people, Australia is one of the more popular places for people to travel. But, unfortunately, there are good, respectful tourists and then there are bad, disrespectful tourists. You can usually tell which group tourists fall into depending on what they say or do. According to MSN.com page Crazy Nomad, here are 10 cultural taboos to avoid when visiting Australia

Also, when in doubt, ask the locals. They are a treasure trove of useful information. By asking them what to do and what not to do, while explaining to them that you want to ensure you do things accurately and respectfully, you're showing respect for the cultural customs of that country and you're being a responsible, respectable tourist

This is on my travel bucket list. There are so many things I want to do and see if I get the chance to go to Australia

1. NEVER mock / make jokes about Aboriginal culture

-It's important to remember this: Remember whose country you're in. Making fun of / mocking the local Aboriginal culture is not just wrong, it's plain offensive. Aboriginal culture is a massive part of Australian culture and history, and as such, it would be bad to mock this. They have endured social injustices over the years, including "The stolen generations." This refers to Aboriginal children who were taken from their families. These children were put into households with non-indigenous people and denied access to their culture, language and more. When visiting Australia, ask questions about the culture, show a genuine interest in the history. For example, when visiting Ayers Rock, also known as Uluru, don't touch the rock or climb on it. When you take time to ask curious questions, this shows you are taking an interest in the culture and showing an appreciation for the locals

2. Don't assume that everyone drinks alcohol or likes to casually party

-Australia does have a vibrant party scene, depending on where you're at. It's not safe to assume that everyone will be drinking at all hours of the day or partying. This can create stereotypes and make for some awkward situations. Many people in Australia refrain from drinking due to religious, cultural and personal reasons. Simply respect these choices that those individuals. Just because you're on vacation and want to drink does not mean you need to pressure someone into drinking. If you're unsure, ask that person. When you show that you are sensitive and understanding of various lifestyles, this will work out to your favor. It will put you in a good light with the locals and ensure that all interactions are open, inclusive and respectful

3. Don't mock / criticize Australia's love of sports

-In Australia, there are various sports that are widely loved by the population. Aussie Rules Football, known as AFL (Australian Football League) is one of the most popular sports. In addition to Aussie Rules Football, there's also cricket and rugby. Together, these sports hold a special importance to most Australians. Mocking them and/or criticizing them is wrong. Instead, engage in a conversation about said sports, ask questions. This shows that you are genuinely curious about the inner workings of that sport and shows respect for that sport. Even if sports are not your thing, asking curious questions to learn more about that sport shows you are respecting something that someone is passionate about. It helps you connect better with the locals and understand their traditions better

4. Avoid tipping excessively - it's not usual

-Australia is one country where tipping is optional. Workers earn good wages, so gratuities are not usually expected, like they are in the US. You can leave a small tip, which is appreciated. If you tip excessively, this will show that you are unfamiliar with local customs. Make sure to understand these local customs and respect these practices. By respecting these unique practices, your dining experience will become better. And, if in doubt, ask a local. The local residents provide a wealth of useful information that will result in success!!

5. NEVER confuse Australian and British cultures

-Their accents may sound similar, but they are not the same. Never, for one second, assume that Australian culture and British culture are the same. Yes, they do share historical ties, but that's where the similarity ends. Australia has a wonderfully unique cultural identity that the residents take high pride in. Simply assuming that the cultures of both Britain and Australia are the same shows you are dismissive and unaware. Australia has its own slang, traditions and a unique laid back way of life. Knowing the difference between British culture and Australian culture will help you build a rapport with the locals and, thus, earn their respect while also avoiding insulting their national pride

6. NEVER makes jokes about deadly wildlife - it's a hot button issue

-People do make frequent jokes about the deadly wildlife that exists in Australia. "Everything that can kill you lives in Australia." Australia does have wonderfully diverse and, yes, deadly wildlife that is native to this large country. But, deadly wildlife can live anywhere, not just Australia. Making jokes about it will come off as insensitive, offensive and just plain wrong. Those who live in areas where these deadly creatures live might be offended by the jokes; they have to contend with these creatures on a daily basis and know what risks they pose. Instead, ask curious and respectful questions about these forms of dangerous wildlife. Adopting this mindset will not only keep you from making a major cultural faux pas, it will also help give you an education into the unique biodiversity of the land known as "Down Under." And if you're still curious about the unique wildlife, visit any one of the fantastic zoos in Australia. The staff will provide a wealth of information about the interesting insects and animals that call Australia home

7. Do not discuss hot button issues like immigration or politics

-Politics, religion and immigration are hot button issues to avoid at all costs, no matter where you go. It's especially wise to avoid discussing these issues in Australia. If these topics do arise in conversation, keep an open mind. Be open to different points of view. Don't make assumptions or pass judgement. By keeping an open mind, you are showing respect to that other person and making them feel their opinion is also valued. It also helps show that other person that you understand the diverse social and political landscape of Australia

8. NEVER litter / disrespect the environment

-Australia is known for its rugged landscape and beautiful environments, which provide homes, food and more to the wonderfully diverse animal and insect life. Those in Australia take deep pride in their gorgeous landscape. By littering, you are disrespecting the environment. It's not only frowned upon to litter, but illegal. Dispose of your litter in proper ways, such as waste baskets or bins. Take part in eco-friendly ways of disposing of litter, such as recycling and avoiding single-use plastics. This shows you are being a responsible tourist, helping to keep the environment clean and also helps you show respect for the local values. Not only that, you will make a positive impact

9. Avoid being overly informal in professional settings

-While it's known that a laid-back lifestyle is common in Australia, there's a time and place to be laid-back and there's a time and place to not to be laid-back. It can come off as disrespectful if you're being overly casual in what seems like a professional setting. Until you are told / invited to use first names, it's better to address someone by their title or surname. Ensure you dress appropriately and maintain a polite, professional form of communication in the workplace. This will show that you respect / understand their professional requirements. This will help you build relationships and show awareness of the unique culture of Australia, especially in formal settings. And, if you're unsure, ask. Ask how someone would like to be addressed. Let them know that the reason you ask is to ensure you do things the right way. Asking always works and shows you want to ensure you do things respectfully

10. Avoid mocking / overusing Australian slang

-Australia is known for its unique slang. Mocking it or overusing it can be seen as disrespectful. Listen to how the locals speak and adopt the slang occasionally. This gentle hand approach shows you respect the locals culture without looking as though you're trying to fit in too hard

Fun Facts About Ohio

Ohio is known as the Buckeye State because of the heavy presence of a nut called a buckeye. It's a brown nut with a light tan core. Candy stores in both Ohio and Kentucky make candies called buckeyes, which are balls of chocolate with peanut butter cores, to closely resemble this nut. Like all regions of this world, there are quirky, unique and interesting facts that people may or may not know about the Buckeye State

Above each section is the link where the information came from

https://www.google.com/search?q=fun+facts+about+ohio&sca_esv=e3144f6254eef5eb&source=hp&ei=HZe9Z8ajA56XwbkPwO6VqQk&iflsig=ACkRmUkAAAAAZ72lLZL_9B9MzrzdmWUkI8FwKtXBqgwY&ved=0ahUKEwiGprzYyt6LAxWeSzABHUB3JZUQ4dUDCBA&uact=5&oq=fun+facts+about+ohio&gs_lp=Egdnd3Mtd2l6IhRmdW4gZmFjdHMgYWJvdXQgb2hpbzIFEAAYgAQyBRAAGIAEMgUQABiABDIFEAAYgAQyBRAAGIAEMgUQABiABDIGEAAYFhgeMgYQABgWGB4yBhAAGBYYHjIGEAAYFhgeSM0gUABY_hhwAHgAkAEAmAGRAqAB3w2qAQYxNi4zLjG4AQPIAQD4AQGYAhSgArYPwgIREC4YgAQYsQMY0QMYgwEYxwHCAgsQABiABBixAxiDAcICCBAAGIAEGLEDwgILEC4YgAQY0QMYxwHCAg4QLhiABBixAxjRAxjHAcICERAuGIAEGNQCGMcBGI4FGK8BwgILEAAYgAQYkgMYigXCAggQLhiABBjUAsICCBAuGIAEGLEDwgILEAAYgAQYsQMYigXCAg4QLhiABBjHARiOBRivAcICCBAAGIAEGMkDwgIOEAAYgAQYsQMYgwEYyQPCAggQABiABBiSA8ICDhAAGIAEGLEDGMkDGIoFmAMAkgcGMTYuMy4xoAfWhAE&sclient=gws-wiz

-Known as the "Birthplace of Aviation" because the Wright Brothers created their first airplane at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton

-Cleveland is known as the place where the first traffic light went into operation on 8/5/1914. It was placed at the intersection of Euclid Ave and East 105th St. Euclid Ave is where the massively successful Cleveland Clinic Medical Center is located

-Eight of the US presidents were born in Ohio. They are: Ulysses S. Grant, Rutherford B. Hayes, James Garfield, Benjamin Harrison, William McKinley, William Howard Taft, Warren G. Harding, William Henry Harrison. In fact, William Henry Harrison has a tomb at the Congress Green Cemetery in Cleves

-Unlike other state flags, which are rectangular in shape, Ohio's state flag is shaped like a swallow tail

-1899 saw Akron as the first city to use police cars

-The state name, Ohio, comes from the Iroquois word "ohi-yo", meaning "great river"

-1865 seen Cincinnati as the first city to establish an ambulance service

https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/geography/states/article/ohio

-Ohio is known as the Buckeye State because of a nut that grows here. It resembles a deer's eye

-The official state bird of Ohio is the cardinal while the official state animal of is white-tailed deer

-Some of the most common animals found in Ohio include black bears, coyotes, American beavers, white-tailed deer, great horned owls, wild turkeys, ring-necked pheasants, red-headed woodpeckers, blue jays, American robins. Ohio also has snakes. The official state reptile is the black racer, a non-venomous snake

-There is a historical park in Dayton called Carillon Historical Park that provides a glimpse into life in the past. It includes a bell tower, one room school house, a covered bridge, a gristmill, a cafeteria from the 1930s and a carousel where the cars are celebrating Dayton-based factories and companies

https://blog.njm.com/14-fun-facts-about-ohio

-Despite becoming a state in 1803, it didn't get official approval until President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed off on it and made it an official state in 1953

-Thomas Alva Edison, despite being a popular inventor in Menlo Park, New Jersey, was actually born in Ohio on 2/11/1847. He invented the incandescent lightbulb, phonograph and motion picture camera and was born in Milan, Ohio

-Sugarcreek, Ohio is home to the world's largest, fully functional cuckoo clock. The town is nicknamed "Little Switzerland of Ohio"

-Pennsylvania and Ohio both have something in common. Both Ohio and Pennsylvania have a very high Amish population. In Ohio, the Amish citizens live in the east-central region and approximately 40,000 Amish people live there. One area that includes these residents is Lancaster, Ohio

-There are 88 counties in Ohio

-1900 was the year that Harry M. Stevens gave the world it's first hot dog. He was born in Derby, England, but emigrated to Niles, Ohio

https://www.cleveland.com/entertainment/2016/10/40_facts_about_ohio_you_didnt.html

-Neil Armstrong, one of the famous astronauts who walked on the moon, was from Auglaize County, which includes Wapakoneta, the city he's from

-20% of the state's population, which rounds out to about 2,367,313 people, live in rural areas and work as farmers

-1985 seen the song "Hang on Sloopy" by The Vibrations being made as the official rock song of Ohio

-The third largest university in the country, by enrollment figures, is The Ohio State University. It's also one of the few universities to feature "The" in its title

-Oberlin College was the first college in the US to admit women in 1833 and later on admit black students in 1835

-Carl Stokes became the first black mayor of Cleveland in 1967

-Cincinnati athlete DeHart Hubbard became the first black athlete to gold at the Olympic Games in Paris in 1924. He won this by performing the long jump

 -The iconic superhero Superman was created by two Cleveland high school students named Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster in 1933. The first version that came before the one we all know and love was a villain with psychic powers

-Despite being born in London, England, Bob Hope moved to the US and was raised in Cleveland when he was four years old

-The prison used in The Shawshank Redemption was located in Ohio. The Mansfield Reformatory, also known as the Ohio State Reformatory, located in Mansfield, Ohio, was used in this movie. This movie actually saved the building from destruction. Now tours are given of the site. And every year, a music and tattoo festival called Iron and Ink is held there. There were also music videos for various musicians that were shot here, including a video by hard rockers Godsmack

-The much loved television program WKRP in Cincinnati was set in Ohio. There was no actual radio station with those call letters. Those call letters do, however, connect with a local TV station

-There were various TV shows set in Ohio. Hot in Cleveland, Family Ties, 3rd Rock from the Sun, Glee, Clarissa Explains It All, The Drew Carey Show

-The Columbus Blue Jackets are the only NHL team located in Ohio. The name was chosen over Columbus Justice. The Blue Jackets was the chosen name because Ohio sent more soldiers to the Union Army during the American Civil War than any other state that existed at the time. As a side note, every time the Blue Jackets score a goal, the cannons they have in the building light up and imitate the shooting of a cannonball while playing "For Those About to Rock (We Salute You)" by AC/DC

-There are Ohio-based teams that have won 17 championships in major sports: Cleveland Browns (8), Cincinnati Reds (5), Cleveland Indians (2), Cleveland Cavaliers (1), Cleveland Rams (1)

-Two of the best selling fast food chains were created in Ohio. Wendy's, founded in Columbus, and Arbys', founded in Boardman Township, Ohio

-Court Ave in Bellfontaine, Ohio was the first concrete-paved street to be placed in 1891

-1955 seen the Ohio Turnpike opening. This 241-mile road was built between 1949-1955, costing $326 million to build

-In 2016, Port Columbus Airport was renamed John Glenn Columbus International Airport

-1870 seen Cedar Point in Sandusky going into construction. It is the second oldest amusement park in the country, riding fast on the heels of Lake Compounce in Bristol, Connecticut

The blue roller coaster you see in the background is called Gatekeeper

-Out of all the cities in the US to get snow, Cleveland is the 8th city in the US to have heavy snowfalls. It's because of their location right on one of the Great Lakes, which results in a heavy snow, called "lake effect snow." Cleveland averages 68.5'' annually

-Ohio does have black bears. The population includes between 50-100 black bears according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources

-The popular candy Life-Savers were invented by Clarence A. Crane in 1912. He was originally from Garrettsville, Ohio, but invented the candy in Cleveland, Ohio

-Akron-based company General Mills marketed Quaker Oats in 1877 as a popular choice for breakfast

https://www.cuflowers.com/ohio-trivia

-Kettering, Ohio saw Ermal Fraze inventing the first pop-top can

-In 1879, James J. Ritty invented the cash register in Dayton to prevent people from stealing house profits

-Akron is known as the Rubber Capital of the World because of the many tire-producing factories here, such as Goodyear, Firestone and Goodrich

-Jesse Owens, the famous black runner who won multiple gold medals at the 1936 Berlin Olympics, under the hateful gaze of then chancellor Adolf Hitler, was from Ohio. He grew up in Cleveland

-In New Carlisle in 1938, Ohio Roy J. Plunkett invented the material we all know of now as Teflon, the material that goes inside bulletproof Kevlar vests

https://ohiohasit.com/ohio-has-it-fun-facts/

-Several movies were filmed in Cleveland. They include A Christmas Story (1983), Captain America: Winter Soldier (2014), Air Force One (1997), Antwone Fisher (2002), The Deer Hunter (1978), The Avengers (2012), Spiderman 3 (2007) 

-The Akron Candy Company started producing the ever-popular Dum Dum Lollipops in 1924 in Akron, Ohio

-Lima, Ohio is the home of the world's second oldest burger chain. It's called Kewpee! Hamburger with a giant Kewpie doll as their mascot

-The trucking industry got its start in 1930 in Akron, Ohio. The first official trucking company was Roadway Express, founded in 1930 to move tires around from the various tire-producing companies that exist there. This company is still up and running to this day

-The first black professional football player was Charles Follis. He played football at Wooster High School in Wooster, Ohio

-Quite a few famous musicians are from Ohio. The 80s-era band Devo is from Kent, Ohio, which is home to Kent State University. Chrissie Hynde of The Pretenders is from Akron, Ohio, The Black Keys are from Akron, Ohio

Devo

Chrissie Hynde

The Black Keys

-Gahanna is known as the Herb Capital of Ohio

-The popular Scott's Miracle-Gro Company is headquartered in Marysville, Ohio

-The popular Bath and Body Works company is headquartered in New Albany, just outside of Columbus, Ohio

-Piqua, Ohio was home to eight knitting mills in the early 1900s. They produced lingerie and other underwear items. This city even held a Great Outdoor Underwear Festival from 1988-1998. In the popular children's book series Captain Underpants, the town it takes place in is a fictionalized version of Piqua

-Waynesville, Ohio is home to Renaissance Park, where the annual Ohio Renaissance Festival is held. It's one of the largest Renaissance-themed events in the entire United States. They have themed weekends each weekend of the season. Check the official site to see what weekend you want to go. If you're into Steampunk, they have a weekend for that!

https://northeastohiofamilyfun.com/fun-facts-about-ohio/

-Ravenna, Ohio is known as "flag city" because it is where the Ohio State flag was created initially

-Tourists can walk along the shores of Lake Erie to find glass that came from shipwrecks

-1852 saw Ohio creating laws to protect working women

-Founded in 1804, Ohio University is said to be the first university in all of Ohio

-Rumor has it that Lake Erie has a Loch Ness-like monster lurking within its dark depths, named Bessie

-Dublin, Ohio is home to one of the largest Irish-themed festivals in the world. It's called the Dublin Irish Festival

-The Cincinnati Observatory is the oldest observatory in the United States. It was built in 1842 and is still in operation to this day

-Garrett Morgan, who invented the gas mask and traffic light, is from Cleveland, Ohio

-The National Museum of the United States Air Force, known to most locals as just the Dayton Air Force Museum, is located in Dayton, Ohio. This museum is said to be the oldest aviation-themed museum in the world (Definitely worth a visit; there's a piece of the actual Berlin Wall here, complete with barbed wire and spray paint)

-Akron is also known as the "Duct Tape Capital of the World" because the DUCK Duct Tape brand was created here. There is an annual duct tape festival here

-Rio Grande, Ohio is the home Bob Evans, a sausage maker who would have a successful chain of affordable restaurants named after him. The original farm exists here to this day

-Sandusky, Ohio is home to Cedar Point, the second oldest amusement park in the United States. Sandusky is also referred to as "the roller coaster capital of the world." Cedar Point is home to at least 16 different roller coasters, including the new one recently built, Siren's Curse

-X-Rays were used for the first time in Marietta, Ohio by Dr. John Gilman in 1896

-Nearly 50% of Ohio's population lives within a 600 mile radius of Columbus

-The ladybug is the official state insect

-NBA legends Stephen Curry and Lebron James were both born at Akron General Medical Center

https://funworldfacts.com/ohio-america/

-The National Football League (NFL) was created in 1920 in Canton, Ohio

-Legendary shock rocker Marilyn Manson hails from Canton, Ohio

-Maya Lin, a native of Athens, Ohio, designed the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. Her submission was chosen over the other 1,400 submissions

-Ohio is known for its strong manufacturing history. This state has produced jet aviation, auto assembly, machine tools, heating equipment, refrigerators, office machines and tires

-In Marysville, Ohio in 1982, Honda became the first Japanese automotive company to start production in the US. The Honda Accord went into production in Marysville

Law and Order: SVU

 One of my favorite shows. I love watching shows about criminal justice. It's one of my biggest interests.

Summary

-This show follows the work of the Special Victims Unit, whose detectives are trained in the work of sexual crimes

Cast

-Mariska Hargitay: Olivia Benson

-Christopher Meloni: Elliott Stabler

-Ice-T: Odafin "Fin" Tutuola

-Richard Belzer: John Munch

-B.D. Wong: Dr. George Huang

-Tamara Tunie: Dr. Melinda Warner

-Dann Florek: Capt. Donald Cragen

-Kelli Giddish: Amanda Rollins

-Raul Esparza: Rafael Barba

-Diane Neal: Casey Novak

-Stephanie March: Alexander Cabot

-Danny Pino: Nick Amaro

Did You Know?

-Mariska Hargitay, who plays Det. Olivia Benson, is a fully trained rape crisis counselor when she's not acting

-In 2004, Mariska Hargitay created a foundation called The Joyful Heart Foundation. This organization is dedicated to help heal survivors of sexual crimes and start testing the overwhelming amount of untested rape kits and processing the overwhelming amount of unprocessed rape cases

-In an article in TV Guide, many survivors of sexual assault/abuse have approached cast members to personally thank them for showing their stories correctly on TV

-Richard Belzer, who played Det. John Munch, has carried his character over from Homicide: Life on the Street, from 1993, the 2000-era film called Homicide: The Movie and on Law & Order, where he played Det. John Munch. He had several crossover appearances as this character, ranging from an episode of The X-Files to an episode of The Beat, to an episode of Law & Order: Trial by Jury to the season three finale of Arrested Development and an episode of The Wire.

-Originally contracted to only appear in four episodes, Ice-T enjoyed appearing on the show so much he asked to become a permanent member of the cast

-Mariska Hargitay's real life husband, Peter Hermann, who plays Defense Attorney Trevor Langan, appeared in 33 episodes

-On Mariska Hargitay's desk is a photo of her real life mother, Jayne Mansfield

-Prior to landing her role as Det. Amanda Rollins, Kelli Giddish appeared as a rape victim named Kara Bawson in the 2007 season 8, episode 12 "Outsider"

-Det. Fin Tutuola's last name means "the gentle one" in Yoruba

-Two years prior to appearing as Casey Novak, actress Diane Neal appeared on the show in an episode as a woman accused of raping a male stripper

-Out of all the assistant district attorneys the show has had, which were all female, Raul Esparza, who plays Rafael Barba, is the first male assistant district attorney

-Season nine was said to have the largest number of main cast members in the show's entire history. The cast consisted of Mariska Hargitay, Christopher Meloni, Richard Belzer, Diane Neal, Ice-T, Adam Beach, B.D. Wong, Dann Florek, Tamara Tunie

-This show is the longest running spinoff of the original 1990 Law & Order series. Other shows in this large group include Law & Order (1990), Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (1999), Law & Order: Criminal Intent (2001), Law & Order: Trial by Jury (2005), Law & Order: UK (2009), Law & Order: LA (20107), Law & Order: True Crime (2017)

-Olivia and Elliott were named after producer Dick Wolf's children

-From season one to season twelve, episode four "Merchandise", the precinct scenes were filmed in North Bergen, New Jersey. After this episode aired, the precinct scenes started getting filmed to the Chelsea Piers section of Manhattan, which was where the precinct scenes for the original Law & Order were filmed

-Several of the main characters had served in the military at one point or another. Dr. Warner (Tamara Tunie) had been in the Air Force, Det. Stabler (Christopher Meloni) was in the Marines, Captain Cragen was in the Green Berets, which was mentioned on an episode of Law & Order and Det. Tutuola was an Army Ranger

-Gary Sinise was the first choice to play Det. Elliott Stabler. But Christopher Meloni accepted, freeing Sinise to later appear as New York City crime scene investigator Det. Mac Taylor on CSI: NY and later as Senior FBI Supervisory Special Agent Jack Garrett on Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders

-In season fourteen, Det. Olivia Benson is seen wearing a necklace that looks a little like a small dogtag of a design seen earlier in the show. She received it from her psychiatrist after she was kidnapped and tortured, where the original model had been kept in evidence

-Longtime viewers often wondered about the sexuality of the show's resident psychologist, Dr. George Huang (B.D. Wong). His homosexuality was not confirmed until the episode "Hardwired", from season eleven, episode five.

-In real life, New York City does have a Special Victims Unit, but it's called Special Victims Division

-The show bases many episodes on real life events. One episode, "Glasgowman's Wrath", was based on the 2014 case "The Slenderman Stabbing" in Wisconsin. The show also brings awareness to concepts such as fat shaming, anti-vaccine people, cyberbullying, teen pregnancy pacts, human trafficking.

-Jeremy Irons started appearing as Dr. Captain "Cap" Jackson, a self-proclaimed sex addict who was changing his ways and tried and later succeeded in earning trust from Benson and Stabler. He helped them in a child molestation/murder case. The character admitted he slept with his lesbian daughter's object of affection, who came with them on a summer vacation. This similar situation also happened in the 1990s film Lolita, where he played a character named Humbert. He was a well-educated man with a strong, uncontrollable lust for his teenaged stepdaughter

-Many times during the trial, the person on the stand is asked if they recognize the person they're there on behalf of. The ADA will then say "Let the record reflect the witness has identified the defendant." In real life trials, the person testifying is asked to identify where the defendant is sitting and what they're wearing to provide accurate information