Some rules exist because they had to be implemented. Like the speed limit or legal drinking age. Meanwhile, some rules have backfired big time and made the people who implemented them regret their decision. Check out our previous post about such instances right here.
But there are rules that need no introduction. They’re not documented in books nor authorized by law, and still, they govern our daily lives. This simple “common sense” is also known as “unwritten rules” and they refer to common behavioral constraints we all take for granted.
Things like not swiping sideways if someone shows a picture on their phone, or never making fun of someone else’s laugh. Sounds random, but people swear by it! Scroll down below for more unspoken rules listed by people online.
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Never ever make fun of someone who is overweight at the gym.
If someone comes up to you that you don't know starts loudly talking about being your friend you play along
If you're wrong, admit it.
So much this. This needs to be higher on the list. Being wrong and learning is a part of personal growth. Even if I am in a heated debate with someone and arguing my point and it all of a sudden dawns on me that they are right, I will immediately concede. Always good to be moldable, being rigid doesn't do anyone any good.
You having a bad day doesn't mean that you have to ruin other people's day.
Don't play your music out loud when in public.
For example: While walking down the street or sitting on a bus one should not be blasting music on their personal device. Buy a pair of damn headphones.
Always let people out before walking in. This applies to elevators, trains, or anything similar.
If someone is giving you a ride, be ready before the person arrives to pick you up.
When driving and someone lets you into the traffic stream, be sure to do the "Thank You Wave."
Don't wear white to a wedding, and don't propose at someone's wedding. I'm sure this sucks to hear, but that is not your day. Don't be a d*ck.
When I show you a singular picture on my phone, don't ever try to swipe left or right.
Dont hit on women when they're at work. They're not flirting, theyre just being nice, it's their job.
If someone holds a door open for you, then please acknowledge them or say thank you. I'm not your servant.
This may may be trivial, but also don’t hold the door open because of gender. Do it to be kind.
Don't [frigging] cheat on your SO. It's not cool. If you wanna f**k someone else, break up with your SO first instead of being a secretive c**t.
Happens way too often.
For the love of God, just return the shopping cart when you’re done with it
If you're walking side by side on a sidewalk and someone comes towards you, f**king make room.
Or if someone comes up behind you, obviously in a hurry, let them pass!!
Don't touch me or stand so close to me that I can feel you breathing if I don't know you!
Seems so simple, but so many people are disrespectful of personal space.
Two years of a global pandemic and yet some people still have no concept of personal space.
Had this on a subway car. 1am alone ... Huge guy sits almost next to me on an entirely empty train. Five stops later apologizes and explains he has the reverse of agoraphobia? He gave me the name but I can't remember. It's fear of being alone and they have to be near people or they get really scared. Had a good convo after that. Walked him home just to make him feel safer heh(it was mostly on my way).
Load More Replies...And when I take a step away from you don't see it as an invitation to get a step closer!
This is cultural and also a city vs rural difference. I've found that city people in Africa (and in fact in Greece as well) didn't tend to "respect" personal space. However I found that rural people in the UK did. so....
I had the same in Mexico. I was waiting to be called in for an appointment, and six other people lined up on the bench right next to me. We were all touching. There were three other benches. Definitely would not happen like that in the US.
Load More Replies...If someone is breathing down my neck and I can't inch away, I typically turn sideways. Yeah, they're still annoyingly close to me, but at least they're not at my back anymore. Just me?
People also forget that compassion can run both ways. It's kind to give others the benefit of the doubt and just politely ask for what you need. My son is autistic and he has had to learn that other people are uncomfortable when you're that close to them. Personally, I've got pretty serious anxiety and if I'm in my own personal hell, I can wander into other people's bubble without realizing it or meaning any offense. When I do realize, I back up but I'm sure there are times when I didn't realize it.
Appreciated pandemic for invisible bubble becoming at least a lil more clear in a time where I just happened to need it
they lifted mask mandates, I still wear mine due to senior parents, never fails at the store, if I use a self checkout, and they are all free, an anti-masker will come use the one directly beside me. It's ridiculous.
Maybe don't even do that if I do know you sometimes. Liked I'm okay with friends being withing a foot of me, but I don't like it when anybody gets so close that we would be touching if they moved any closer.
You wanna back the f*ck up, you wanna ease up off me or a little space please? (Depending on the person) is something I've said in the grocery line on more than one occasion.
Try that in Portugal, where people are so nice and they don't mean any harm
Personal space. I loved it when ppl social distanced. Now I have to tell ppl not so close please my anxiety wants to smack you. Lol
Unless it's a child, this should be a legal reason to start throwing elbows. I always feel threatened when people I don't know well are within arms length.
I've worked at a grocery store for 6 years and through the pandemic and people are just horrible with that. I had a woman stick her armpit in my face and another guy brush my check trying to get something 3 inches from my face and not one person said excuse me. I have hundreds of examples but STOP IT!
Personal space.. oh how precious this space is for me and people keep breaking in.. -.-
I assume you have never been in a. a subway b. a commuter bus c. an elevator in a busy city
Oh my gosh I hate it when men who are not family touch me. I don't want a hug, shouldee pat not a finger on me if you'd a dude who is not my husband or family. I had a boss once who squeezed my shoulder and immediately told him just that, and reported it to hr. I just cannot deal with the creepy feeling that goes with being touched like that.
Had that happen in check out, a woman was basically thisclose even after I discreetly moved away from her, she moved closer, like the line isn't going to just speed up.
This is to some extent a cultural thing, not every culture has the same expectations of what constitutes personal space. Learn what's typical where you're going, before you just assume every culture does the same as what you're used to.
Typically if I'm in line and someone gets that close, I just start moving around. Forward then back quickly. Turn to the side and look at some magazines. Step back a bit to inspect one. Then step forward, then turn to look at the candy bars. I won't buy a magazine nor candy but I'm moving around like I might. No one wants to get bumped into, so they step back. No I don't care how it looks to anyone. They are strangers. 😑
Unfotunately this is a habit (I know is a bed one) in former comunist East European countries. And it does make me mad, but people are really hard to educate.
Had a lady standing wayy too close to me at a line at Primark. Had to drop my shopping bag and take two steps forward to get some space.
I have no problem elbowing you in your throat to assert my right for space
Even if we're at the same rave, I don't care what you're on, don't snuggle me while we're jumping about.
There are places where personal space is nonexistent. Subways, for examples, or trains in Japan.
Rule of thumb, unless the person is familiar with you keep three feet from them.
The planndemic? That allowed governments to take our freedom, that plannedemic?
Some cultures have no concept of personal space. My friend and I were sitting in shallow water and the next thing we were surrounded by 5 Pacific islander children, don't know why.
Stay TF out of my bubble unless you literally want to die in the slowest most painful way possible
Also don't jokingly put your hands around your friends neck while in line unless you know they're okay with it. A friend tried this with me in the school cafeteria line and found out the hard way that it causes me to panic. Told me I kicked like a mule. (She was behind me, I back legged her below her knee)
Yeah, the other day at whole foods a woman said 'excuse me' twice to me. I was so startled that I like 'froze', if that makes sense. Then she touched me and I'm 'don't touch me'. Then a few mins. later I found her and went 'I heard you the first time'. This is a reason I won't usually verbally interact w/ random people. Like it's not my fault I have anxiety.
Be patient with the elderly unless they're being [jerks]
If you borrow a friend's car, fill up the tank when returning it as a thank you.
Leave it better than you found it.
Life isn't fair and thank goodness - imagine the horror of knowing that every bad thing that happened to you happened because you deserved it.
Don't bother someone with headphones in unless it's important. They have headphones in for a reason.
For women: always have an extra pad or tampon on you. You never know when another woman might desperately need it. You may not like her, but this is your one exception to be nice. We've all been there.
Always say please and thank you. Good to do it until it becomes second nature. Most people know this, but not everyone does it.
If you're going to ask someone to help you move, please have all the boxes already packed and ready to go.
Always start with the question "how might I be wrong?"
Everyone can figure out a reason to believe they're correct, but if you look for reasons you are wrong first you will make fewer horrific assertions and mistakes.
"How might I be wrong" is the core question of science and the start of all wisdom.
If a bro [passes away] while lifting, put more weight on the bar, then call 911
Common sense ain't that common, so explain things in the simplest manner you possibly can.
We have an ABC mantra at work:
Assume nothing.
Believe nobody.
Check everything.
Should be the rule of life! Just because you read it on social media doesn't mean it's true. How can there be so many legitimate sites to verify facts, but people choose Sally's "Uncle Joe"?
When letting cars into traffic, you let one then you go, just keep alternating.
The first time visiting someone's place you bring something. Anything. Bottle of wine, six-pack, food, origami penguin. Something.
Don’t touch another person’s hair just because you think it’s pretty.
This one right here!! When my son was born, he had bright red hair. Every damn time we went out, people would come up to us and want to touch his hair. Of course I had stupid people accuse me of dying his hair. But they still had to put their "god only knows what is on their fingers" all over my son's head. Even after I asked them nicely. Even after I was rude to them. Even after I threatened bodily harm. They would still try to touch his hair. People are rude!
Especially to your kids, don't make promises you can't keep. Also, don't ever threaten to do something you can't or won't follow up on.
Saw a shirt recently that says “No one is more full of sh*t than a parent who just said “maybe.” Lol
If someone clearly doesn't want to talk to you or needs to be somewhere else, let them be.
Never refuse when someone offers you a breath mint
Because your breath smells like a wet dog after he rolled in his own poop.
Don't touch a disabled person's mobility aids without being specifically asked to do so by the person. Wheelchair, scooter, cane, dog, walker, whatever they are using don't touch it unless they ASK you to. View it as a stranger trying to touch your legs, do you want rando to pick up your leg? Move your leg? Pet your leg? Probably not.
Never say something to someone you love that you can't recover from in the heat of an argument. You love that person for a reason.
and learn to forgive things that was said in the heat of the moment - no use letting them hurt you forever
Ask the person if they are at the back of the line before you join it.
Cover your mouth when you cough with your elbow, not your hands that you will then touch a bunch of stuff with. Applies to sneezes as well. In general, just keep your gross bodily fluid to yourself unless clearly requested to share.
If you're in someone else's home/car/yard- Anything of someone else's, ASK before you do something. No, I don't want you smoking in my car. I don't want you feeding my dog food from the table. Just stop.
Definitely agree with feeding my dog human food. It's my number one rule. He has his own food and treats I paid a lot for. Plus if it's something he is allergic to I'm sure you won't foot the vet fees. Just say no to him and he'll walk away.
If a street performer makes you stop walking, you owe him a buck.
The window seat gets an armrest and a wall, the middle seat gets two arm rests, and the aisle seat gets an arm rest and a little extra leg room. We're not savages, we live in a society.
After applying restraints to objects in the flatbed of a truck, saying "Yep, that's not goin' anywhere" is an absolute necessity.
Make sure you twang the strap when you say it. Otherwise it absolutely will go somewhere.
We don't fight at weddings.
Note: this post originally had 96 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.
If you're just teasing someone but they get upset by the remarks, stop. I've been through this kind of thing a lot and people don't seem to care or realize when my feelings have actually been hurt. Maybe it wouldn't offend you, but it could offend other people.
Yes, and never tell people how to feel or not feel.
Load More Replies...Oh yes. "It's a miracle I survived that cancer! God is watching out for me!" Er, how about all the doctors, nurses, therapists, scientists, and friends and family that helped?
Load More Replies...Offer a real apology when you are wrong. "My bad" is not an apology. Any apology that includes "you" after "sorry" is not an apology -- "I'm sorry that you were offended" / "I'm sorry you didn't like that." A real apology includes "I" -- "I'm sorry that I hurt you" / "I'm sorry that I acted like such a jerk".
"Any apology that includes "you" after "sorry" is not an apology." - I'm sorry, you were right.
Load More Replies...A friend used to remind me not to fish from the company pier.
Load More Replies...some good ones, but some patriarchal b******t at the bottom wihch will hopefully be voted out
Best two pieces of advice I got from my Grandfather: There is a world of difference between good, sound reasons and reasons that sound good. And: It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice.
I smoke (cigarettes) and used to drive my friends around all the time- usually 2-4 friends each time. I had two absolute car rules= 1) everyone wears seat belts and 2) it doesn't matter how many of the passengers smoke, if just one person doesn't smoke, then they're is NO SMOKING in the car
Don't touch my kid unless I invite you to. Or their stroller. Or their toys. Or their food. Unless it's an emergency, stay back 8 feet and keep your appendages to yourself!
I'll sum it up - "Bro bro bro. Bro? Bro bro bro bro!! Bro?? Bro!! Bro... Bro? Broooo... Bro!"
Load More Replies...My goodness, there was some serious male fragility on display up there!
I would like to add, always, if possible, call a person on the phone before dropping by. Better if it's days in advance.Especially if the person you are visiting has small children and/or is taking care of an ill person.
Ss an older lady lady who has to use a cane I can't believe how many people will not hold the door for you. I'm not begging for mercy. It's if someone is cing out & see you're going to go in they just let the door slam shut.
Don't touch random people's babies or kids no matter how cute they are, same with a pregnant woman's belly. My friend had problems with that in public. People wanted to rub her belly or touch her kid's cheeks. She would ask people to please not do that and they would claim she was rude 🙄
Be kind to people on your way up. You never know when you'll meet them again on your way down.
This needs to state the rule of keeping to the right. Walking in a mall? Walk on the right side of the hallways. Going up or down stairs? Keep to the right. Always use the right side. Please. Lol.
Never get in a car driven by someone who is talkative, but can only hold a conversation by making eye-contact. You will eventually die. This should be a part of all driver education courses - talking while looking at the road.
I'm talkative & make eye contact. But when I'm driving, my eyes are on the road.
Load More Replies...If you're just teasing someone but they get upset by the remarks, stop. I've been through this kind of thing a lot and people don't seem to care or realize when my feelings have actually been hurt. Maybe it wouldn't offend you, but it could offend other people.
Yes, and never tell people how to feel or not feel.
Load More Replies...Oh yes. "It's a miracle I survived that cancer! God is watching out for me!" Er, how about all the doctors, nurses, therapists, scientists, and friends and family that helped?
Load More Replies...Offer a real apology when you are wrong. "My bad" is not an apology. Any apology that includes "you" after "sorry" is not an apology -- "I'm sorry that you were offended" / "I'm sorry you didn't like that." A real apology includes "I" -- "I'm sorry that I hurt you" / "I'm sorry that I acted like such a jerk".
"Any apology that includes "you" after "sorry" is not an apology." - I'm sorry, you were right.
Load More Replies...A friend used to remind me not to fish from the company pier.
Load More Replies...some good ones, but some patriarchal b******t at the bottom wihch will hopefully be voted out
Best two pieces of advice I got from my Grandfather: There is a world of difference between good, sound reasons and reasons that sound good. And: It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice.
I smoke (cigarettes) and used to drive my friends around all the time- usually 2-4 friends each time. I had two absolute car rules= 1) everyone wears seat belts and 2) it doesn't matter how many of the passengers smoke, if just one person doesn't smoke, then they're is NO SMOKING in the car
Don't touch my kid unless I invite you to. Or their stroller. Or their toys. Or their food. Unless it's an emergency, stay back 8 feet and keep your appendages to yourself!
I'll sum it up - "Bro bro bro. Bro? Bro bro bro bro!! Bro?? Bro!! Bro... Bro? Broooo... Bro!"
Load More Replies...My goodness, there was some serious male fragility on display up there!
I would like to add, always, if possible, call a person on the phone before dropping by. Better if it's days in advance.Especially if the person you are visiting has small children and/or is taking care of an ill person.
Ss an older lady lady who has to use a cane I can't believe how many people will not hold the door for you. I'm not begging for mercy. It's if someone is cing out & see you're going to go in they just let the door slam shut.
Don't touch random people's babies or kids no matter how cute they are, same with a pregnant woman's belly. My friend had problems with that in public. People wanted to rub her belly or touch her kid's cheeks. She would ask people to please not do that and they would claim she was rude 🙄
Be kind to people on your way up. You never know when you'll meet them again on your way down.
This needs to state the rule of keeping to the right. Walking in a mall? Walk on the right side of the hallways. Going up or down stairs? Keep to the right. Always use the right side. Please. Lol.
Never get in a car driven by someone who is talkative, but can only hold a conversation by making eye-contact. You will eventually die. This should be a part of all driver education courses - talking while looking at the road.
I'm talkative & make eye contact. But when I'm driving, my eyes are on the road.
Load More Replies...