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.
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!
NEVER TOUCH BABIES!! When my kid was 6 m.o. I was having a walk with him in the stroller .. an old lady (I didn't know her) approached us , grabbed an hand of my son and kissed the hand , I nearly shouted at her "it's only a kiss I'm not ill.. I didn't kiss him on the cheek!!" "Don't you think a baby would put his hand in mouth?..and i don't know you.." she remained petrified, as if she had understood the mistake... only family have the permission of kissing my kids...
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Don't ever ever touch a Black person's hair especially a Black woman's hair, period. I hate it when White people try to touch my natural 4c hair or my braids. Then get offended that I didn't let them. My natural hair is my crown. Admire it from a distance. Even if you're my friend. Boyfriends don't get to touch it either. We wrap our hair for intimacy. We have a Crown Act law passed in our state and it covers this along with descrimination and racism pertaining to hair of Black people and other people of color. We are not tourists attractions or public pets. DO NOT touch the hair. And my natural hair or braids have nothing to do with my ability to do a job, have a career, or education.
I ask first before I touch anyone's hair. We have a friend of my dad's who we practically adopted into the family, and her hair is so beautiful. I asked if I could touch it and she said yes. (Asking before doing anything to anyone is very important XD).
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Please touch my hair, play with it, braid and unbraid it, make fancy little hairstyles over and over, feel free to throw in a head massage while you're at it. It's freakin' awesome
I had a coworker comment on my long hair then start to give me a French braid. She was generally a nice person but kinda clueless about some things.
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Not only the hair. If they are bald and or clean shaven DON'T TOUCH MY HEAD WITHOUT PERMISSION
Just don't touch me when unnecessary in general, unless I ask for it, personal space y'know
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Don't touch my hair because the texture is so different than what you are used to and you're curious what it feels like. Don't tell me "tips" on styling my hair, it's fundamentally different from yours. Don't tell me to wash it daily, my scalp doesn't get oil like yours & I need to keep my hair healthy to keep it looking acceptable. And don't tell me I look like a dandelion, but if your 4 year old does, I'm probably going to laugh.
My hair is super long and I guess that makes people want to touch it because it happens sometimes. Even my own mom does it and I don't like it. Just ask for permission and I'd honestly probably let you mess with it.
This. My husband has curly hair. WHY people must make an enormous deal out of his hair is already absurd enough - and to the nasty people out there who call him all kinds of slurs related to Jewish and Black people, please go piss up a rope - but TOUCHING his hair without even asking first??? I have four and a half feet of waves coming out of my head and I have never had the trouble he has!!!
This one karaoke host ran up to me to press down on a tuft of short hair that was sticking up ( I have a .. .. um.. sorta a bad habit and kinda brittle hair). It was embarrassing. I get it was noticeable but I didn't want that kind of attention towards it. It's not like it was doing any harm to anyone.
I have really curly hair and I really don't mind someone boinging a curl if they ask. It's sooo annoying and uncomfortable when I feel a random stranger's hand in my hair. Just ask.
I love playing with curly hair! My cousin has the prettiest curls, and I love springing them XD. After asking, obvs.
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This. I get it, my hair is curly. I'm naturally affectionate, but if you touch my hair without my permission, I get annoyed
Ask first. I have very fine blond hair. My friends, friend married a Japanese lady who had the most amazing jet black hair. I was curious as to how it felt so asked if we could to exchange 'touchings', she said yes. Well it was course like a horses mane, later learnt that Asian hair is oval in shape, now I know.
Years ago, I started shaving my head. A co-worker was walking behind me and he touched my head. I blew up on him and told him not to do it again. Seconds later, my head was touched again. I turned to yell at him only to find out it was the woman next to him that did it, after she just witnessed me getting angry about it. I blew up on her, and she stopped talking to me for a long time. Mind you, before that interaction, we had maybe spoken 3 times total. Afterwards, she would try to complain to people about me, but they always told her she was an idiot. Good times.
Another thing that could be added is that black people don’t want their hair touched by random strangers either, because guess what? Nobody does! It’s harassment, and in this particular case, racist!
people have came up and touched my hair because its beautiful its annoying
Random People touch my hair without asking and it is so annoying just because it’s curly doesn’t mean you can touch it😡
My half cuban coworker stopped straightening her hair And we all realised she had absolutely beautiful curly hair in nature. Everyone asked to touch it how unnaturally perfect it looked. We gushed about her hair for weeks.
Yes and never ever touch someone’s baby! Or child. Or .. anything really. Not until you have explicit, enthusiastic (not coerced) permission to do so.
Here's an idea: don't touch anyone whatsoever. Unless family member or very close friends of course.
Touching and hugging should be at the behest of the huggee, not the hugger. This goes for children too. Even grandchildren!
This happens to black women all the time (according to my friend). Cornrows are a cultural thing, not a fashion statement (mostly). They're not some interactive art exhibit!
Girls in the end of the school year when the school didn't care about my hair being long anymore couldn't keep their hands off my soft locks
I don’t like ppl touching me. I had Curly hair and ppl would always come to touch my hair. I don’t know where your hands have been and you’re invading my space.
Happens with afros people will say "Oh I like your hair" and then proceed to grab
i always ask before i touch anyone. even if it’s not their hair, some people just don’t like being touched, so it’ll make their life a lot easier if you ask to hug them, put your arm around their shoulders. BUT ALSO DONT TOUCH PEOPLES HAIR UNLESS THEY ASK YOU BECAUSE IT’s ANNOYING INVASIVE AND COULD MESS UP THEIR HAIRSTYLE
As a parent of red heads.....this so much. Everyone has an opinion about red hair, and most people want to touch it. In school, all the other kids would touch it.
Lol i didn't this yesterday to a guys dreads at work, but it was to mess with him & out a sticker in it. I don't touch females hair tho
Unless you've first removed it from their body and may therefore do so in the privacy of your own room. So soft… So so soft…
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.
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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?
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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.
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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!"
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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.
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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.
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