Get Premium
Dark mode theme is available exclusively for premium users. Learn more about the benefits of subscribing.
No fees, cancel anytime.
Dark Mode 
No fees, cancel anytime 
then open in external browser
and click "Open in External Browser" 
Our society has an imaginary handbook of cultural guidelines that are understood and followed by most. You won't ever find a physical version, and the rules are rarely mentioned in a casual conversation – however, every human is aware of its existence. There are unspoken rules for literally every aspect of your life: a friendship, relationship, parenthood, etc. – yet today, we'll be strictly focusing on the rules that hide behind manhood.
"Men of Reddit, what are some unwritten rules we have?" – an online user took it to one of the most famous and well-liked online communities to find out what unspoken manhood laws are there. The question received over 4.4K upvotes and 3.7K worth of comments revealing the rules that every self-respecting man will follow to the end of his days. Make sure to comment below if there's something that members of this online forum missed!
More info: Reddit
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
When walking upstairs behind a woman, the stairs instantly become the most interesting thing.
“Hmmm, these stairs are really made out of stairs huh”
GW 3 years ago
My sister does this with movies. If there's kissing in a movie, she just looks around and talks about the walls or the floor
Polar_bear_lover 3 years ago
I do that but only if im with my parents lol
Load More Replies...
Alias Delfs 3 years ago
Yes these stairs are made of stairs is an unwritten rule it’s weird how everyone does it automatically no shaming from a parent that resulted in a cringe memory
grotesqueer 3 years ago
I always look at the stairs anyway. I can't take blind steps in the stairs. I need to see where to land my feet and when they're gonna hit the step.
Patti Vance 3 years ago
i have an autistic grandson whose response to intimate scenes in movies is commenting "oooh, gratuitous sex scene - who wants popcorn?"
Man in the ceiling 3 years ago
I automatically developed this about a year or two ago. I’d rather not risk them being uncomfortable or me looking like a creep
Rene Simons 3 years ago
Always walk before a woman when going up. And behind her when going down. Etiquette.
Craig Reynolds 3 years ago
I don't have a choice even if no one is in front of me. If I cannot safely navigate stairs unless I'm watching where I put my feet. Been that way my entire life. It's the same with ladders. I also find the first step in getting on an escalator to be a challenge as well.
François Carré 3 years ago
And just let her some head start so that your eyes are just in front of the stair below her feet. And if possible shift to the side so that you're not directly behind her. There are a lot of stairs and a lot of women where I work, so I just had to master this through the years.
Rene Simons 3 years ago
Etiquette prescibes that a man always walks before a woman when going upstairs an behind her when going downstairs.
🥔SaltyPotato🥔 3 years ago
Yeah. I could see this. So she doesn't feel you are staring at something else.
Kika González 3 years ago
I think ya'll are missing the point. People look at the stairs behind someone to catch them if they fall.
James Doe 3 years ago
I'm torn here. Why shouldn't something beautiful be appreciated? (Real question). It all comes down to the golden rule. I wouldn't mind to be checked out (unknowingly) as it doesnt hurt me in any way. I'm not talking constant staring, weird comments, etc. Interested in your answers. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_Rule
TheKrucifix 3 years ago
It's because those women always think the worst when near a man, and the man is expected to back down. I say equal rights!
Phryne 3 years ago
I can guarantee a man would be uncomfortable if a woman stared at his "package" the way men stare at women's chests.
Load More Replies...
RELATED:
#2
Whenever your friend is cooking on the bbq, you have to stand next to him and talk about how amazing this food is gonna be
#3
A big bag of soil, dry dog food, or rice must be slapped.
Tongs for BBQ must be clicked 2-3 times before using them.
#4
When you're strapping down a strap, you must say "that's not going anywhere" or you will lose everything on the trailer
#5
Beer and pizza/BBQ is acceptable payment for helping another man work on his house or vehicle.
Mermaid Elle-Jaye 3 years ago
Omg, now that’s a pizza. Just came from the horrid list of boyfriends attempting cooking.
#6
When your friend’s crush is around, he is the funniest in the group
#8
If a friend buys you a drink you don’t pay it back you just buy the next round
#9
The best test of a friendship is when you defended someone in their absence and vice-versa.
#10
A grunt and a nod is an entirely acceptable conversation.
JJ 3 years ago
My ex-boyfriend is American and didn't know a single word of German. When I introduced him to my dad (who doesn't speak a single word of English), I was baffled that they sort of communicated without talking to each other. After that my dad said, my ex was a nice guy and my ex agreed that my father was a nice guy, too. Yeah... sure. 😆
#11
If a bathroom has 5 urinals, it only has 3 urinals.
Space Whale 3 years ago
As a girl, I get this. For those who don't , I imagine it's uncomfortable to pee right next to someone. Also if there are dividers does this rule still apply?
#12
If your boys' sister is in trouble, protect her like your own.
Foxxy (The Original) 3 years ago
Until they tell you they are in love with you when you have a long term partner and a child. Then you have nothing to do with her.
#13
For those that live with women: No matter what you are going to the grocery store for, just buy toilet paper.
#15
*up nod* What's up?
*down nod* you have my respect
*right nod* we need to chat
*left nod* come check this out.
#16
Don’t be scared to give compliments, we keep them in our “permanent memory” area.
#17
When our balls stick to our thigh we have to take a big step to unstick them
eff the haters 3 years ago
Ok y'all can't complain about us discussing this on BP and then complain about how some men are grossed out by periods. It's a fact of life.
#18
It’s is essential that we pee away the small bit of s**t on the side of the toilet bowl.
#19
Give respect until they prove they do not deserve it.
Eat Dirt Crow 3 years ago
I have a motto: "everyone deserves your respect, not everyone deserves your time"
#20
NEVER DM a woman for sex(maybe unless in a specific subreddit for that kind of stuff). Don't be so thirsty as to harass women
Alias Delfs 3 years ago
This is a rule that should be for all genders every where but unfortunately this is not held true
#21
You can have a beer. But not if it's the last one.
Don't roast a man in front of their kid.
ZentheOgre 3 years ago
Never disrespect a person Infront of their kids unless they themselves are disrespecting the kid
#22
dont you f*****g dare start a conversation in the public bathroom
LagoonaBlueColleen 3 years ago
Even as a female, I get uncomfortable talking to anyone and anyone talking to me while I'm in a stall. mind your biz.
#23
If a man brags about his garden, you let him talk, don't interrupt him saying yours is better
Loading Screen Tips🇺🇦 3 years ago
I have a "friend" that always makes it a competition, If you ran a mile over the weekend he ran 2, if you're playing a game, one time he "obliterated" a streamer on stream. it's super annoying and I've started to cut ties with him.
#24
If you are holding a stud finder, first thing you do is hold it to your chest and making a beeping noise
#25
Don’t be funnier than your friend when he’s trying to impress a girl.
#26
I’m gonna add another urinal rule.
While you’re peeing you’re allowed to fart uninhibited without acknowledgement and we won’t say s**t.
But, once you’ve zipped up and head to the sink, that window has closed.
You can still fart but, you can’t just act like it didn’t happen.
Chucky Cheezburger 3 years ago
I dunno...If it's particularly uproarious, I'm probably gonna crack up involuntarily.
#27
Never touch another man’s fries.
#30
dont "jokingly" put down your friends whenever a girl is around just so you can seem like some kinda alphachad, especially if they like the girl
#31
You MUST cringe every time you see another man get hit in the balls. If sitting crossing the legs as an additional response is acceptable.
#32
To look away when a girl is doing “certain” workouts at the gym
Doctor Strange 3 years ago
Don't objectify women. Period. Full stop. It doesn't matter where they are or what they are doing.
#33
If you ask me about my feelings, I'll definitely be thankful and reply in an enthused manner. So don't do that.
#34
you can have the last slice of pizza; you can have the last beer. but you can not have both.
#35
It's better to look stupid (in some situation) than to actually be stupid. Also, who tf had *written* rules?
#39
As soon as the house is empty( family depart), upstairs we go to de stress, giving the rest of the day the freedom and clarity it deserves.
#40
Double tap the drill to make sure it has power
Giles McArdell 3 years ago
And either 1) Pretend it's a laser rifle OR 2) Pretend you're a robot by making whirr whirr noises while you walk. But never both, that would just be childish.
#41
When having a heart to heart with a bro. Don't keep it too serious remember to also joke and make your bro smile.
#42
If you secured something, you must slap it and say “it’s not going anywhere”!
#44
If you introduce someone and say he's a friend of yours he's to be treated with respect.
If you say he's a friend of ours then you can talk openly in front of him.
#45
There is a line that men can innately feel. Its a line you dont cross, and you know if you do, things could get physical. Women cross those lines all the time, but men know you might get punched in the face.
#47
If your buddy's wife or girlfriend asks if he was with you, you say yes. Always. Then asap talk to your buddy and find out what's up. If he's cheating or treating her like s**t, then have a talk and get him to get his s**t together. But the original question always gets a "Yes, he was".
grotesqueer 3 years ago
No I'm not gonna lie for/protect AH behavior. Just because you're my friend that doesn't give you a free pass to be nasty and not be held accountable. If you can't be honest in your relationship it's your responsibility, not mine.
#48
If it's a regular fight over a disagreement or something stupid that was said: no hair pulling, no nut shots, no eye gouging and no fish hooks.
#49
If it ever comes up, all my bros are hung like mules.
#51
If someone makes a good pun you must express disgust and ask them to leave, and the guy after you must comment r/angryupvote.
What do you think ?
lenka 3 years ago
The most important one is missing - when your mate is being a d**k - call him out on it. If he's behaving inappropriately towards women or making sexist "jokes" - call him out on it. Men dont let men be arseholes.
eff the haters 3 years ago
We have nothing boxes - don't be offended if your talking to us and we become unresponsive
albernistuff 4sale 3 years ago
I need a T-Shirt with an LED screen I can activate when this happens..."Processing..." with the little spinning disc
Load More Replies...
lenka 3 years ago
Honestly, most of these apply to women as well (obviously not the urinal and balls related ones)....we can call it the 'bro code' but most of it just comes down to being a decent human being.
Load More Replies...
Susie Elle 3 years ago (edited)
Aside from urinal stuff, sticky testicles and lying for your sake (saying he's with you when he's not) - me and my friends are all dudes it seems
Nicole Normand 3 years ago
I saw a picture once to differentiate between when it's girls night or guys night out. When it's time to pay, every guy at the table throws a $20. But the girls take out their calculator and start dividing. I thought it was really funny. So different. My daughter says the girl thing is true for her and her BFFs.
lenka 3 years ago
Was never true of my girlfriends. We have always done rounds or if there was a tab simply divide the bill by number of people.
Load More Replies... lenka 3 years ago
The most important one is missing - when your mate is being a d**k - call him out on it. If he's behaving inappropriately towards women or making sexist "jokes" - call him out on it. Men dont let men be arseholes.
eff the haters 3 years ago
We have nothing boxes - don't be offended if your talking to us and we become unresponsive
albernistuff 4sale 3 years ago
I need a T-Shirt with an LED screen I can activate when this happens..."Processing..." with the little spinning disc
Load More Replies... lenka 3 years ago
Honestly, most of these apply to women as well (obviously not the urinal and balls related ones)....we can call it the 'bro code' but most of it just comes down to being a decent human being.
Load More Replies... Susie Elle 3 years ago (edited)
Aside from urinal stuff, sticky testicles and lying for your sake (saying he's with you when he's not) - me and my friends are all dudes it seems
Nicole Normand 3 years ago
I saw a picture once to differentiate between when it's girls night or guys night out. When it's time to pay, every guy at the table throws a $20. But the girls take out their calculator and start dividing. I thought it was really funny. So different. My daughter says the girl thing is true for her and her BFFs.
lenka 3 years ago
Was never true of my girlfriends. We have always done rounds or if there was a tab simply divide the bill by number of people.
Load More Replies... You May Like 44 Handsome Guys Who'll Redefine Your Concept Of Older Men 135 Women Empowerment Quotes That Highlight Progress Exploring Life’s What-Ifs: 174 Funny Hypothetical Questions
Šarūnė Bar
Aivaras Kaziukonis
Žydrūnė Trukanavičiūtė
Related on Bored Panda
