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.
If you want to show someone something on your phone, slightly zoom in before handing the phone over. If they swipe, accidentally or not, they will just pan around in the current picture.
That's right because you have to zoom out before swiping. Or yell "No more swiping, Swiper!" 🦊
Load More Replies...Why hasn’t anyone created a picture lock feature for apps or make sure the next pic is a d**k pic.
Google Photos has a lock feature. Under utilities. I put all my husband's private pics in there. 😏
Load More Replies...Tell that to my mum. I have to hold the phone while showing her something.
moms are the worst about this. I'm pretty sure they're just nosy and doing it on purpose
Load More Replies...When you show somebody something you need to zoom in slightly! It works, I've tried it!
Doesn't work if they try to swipe at least 3 times. I've tried it. After trying to swipe 2x it does work but by the 3rd swipe it will indeed let you swipe to the next photos.
Load More Replies...YES! Like I’ll show my mom ONE picture and she’ll grab my phone and start going through my photos, and when I tell her to stop she says “no. You’re my child so I own you therefore I can do whatever I want”
That's super not cool. You need to remind her that she's probably going to be old enough some day that you will be making decisions for her and her attitude now will reflect your attitude then.
Load More Replies...I did that once when there were multiple pictures in a row. Overswiped by one single frame and bam - friend's wife butt nekid getting out of the shower. He suspected I saw it, I totally saw it, but we both said nothing. It was an awkward dinner.
Don't hand them your phone? I never have this issue. I don't like other people touching my phone at all.
Then there's the folks who set traps intentionally for those who are so rude as to start swiping.
One reason I never keep anything NSFW on my phone. I think a lot of phones now have a private safe feature and app lock though.
Hold the phone up towards them and take it away if they try. Zoom in the picture is also a good tip.
Lol. I feel like most people don't understand digital devices. If it's on a device that's connected to the web, it is in fact not yours alone! It could leak at any moment, more time that elapses the faster the odds go up...
Load More Replies...Similarly, if you ask about a specific item someone ordered from Amazon, and they pull it up on their order history so you can see it, do NOT grab the phone and suddenly feel free to browse the rest of their order history, or that will be the last time you get to hold their phone. Boundaries, please...
NGL, Amazon really needs to have a way of not just archiving but fully deleting your own order history and/or allow you to make sub-accounts for other family members that cannot access your profile just like all of the streaming services do. This is very important for... Reasons.
Load More Replies...I get it and never do it. On my phone...unless you want to see pics of my son playing hockey, your going to bore yourself.
I don't have pictures of things I don't want people to see, but it still is rude to just go sailing through my pics on my phone. Like, give me my dang phone back, regardless.
Load More Replies...I usually say how many pics there are that are relevant. So they can swipe that many.
Well, if i'm showing you a picture on my phone, I'm not letting go of the phone. So you can't swipe left or right...
I will generally hold my phone so someone can look at the picture I want them to see.
I keep the phone in my hand. If I do give you my phone to look at a picture, I'm testing you.
i have medical case tudy photos of healing diabetic feet on my phone, should soneone swith they're in for a disgusting surprise
I did this once by accident bc Touchscreens... There was nothing spicy to see, luckily, but I was so embarrassed...
I don't understand why people do that, or is it just a habit... It still takes me by surprise when someone does that.
Don't use the word "singular" when what you actually mean is "single". Singular means unique or one of a kind. Single means only one of something.
I have a friend like that. So whenever I have pics I want to share with her, I make a folder for that pic and then accompanied by just random pics like flowers or something. Still I have to watch her. She will leave folders and start opening other folders, but at least I can see that and catch it.
It could be a surprise, if you do that. Not neccessarily a good one 🤣
i mostly take pictures of my cat. so i dont care, if someone does this to me
I only give my phone to my closest family. Others can get a look on the screen. And paws away!
I have done that without thinking a few times. Thankfully I never saw something I shouldn't have seen, but man I was embarrassed anyway!
Just don't show me photos on your phone, 99.99999 of the time it's of zero interest to me.
Why I always keep an eye on my phone when I’m giving it to someone to let them see something/try something out…
The likelihood that you have a "singular" picture on your phone is as low as the odds of you're having read a book since the last time a teacher forced you to.
I was once at my uncle’s house, and I showed him a picture, he literally grabbed my phone and started looking through my entire camera roll! Excuse me, what gave you the implication that that was okay. In any world.
Or, you know, do a better job of actually managing the photos on your phone so that kind of thing doesn't happen. Don't blame others for your own shortcomings. It's not their fault you're too lazy to organize photos on your phone.
I'm asking without disrespect, but are you neuro divergent? Please note that your opinion here differs from the vast majority, to the degree that you're indignantly commenting on a news article that addresses it, as if you're somehow entitled to see that person's whole photo history when they only tried to share one with you. It's totally someone else's fault if you invite them into your house, and they decide to go rummage through your underwear drawer. Don't take a mile when someone trusts you enough to give you an inch, or that's the last time you're getting an inch. Don't blame your lack of respecting normal boundaries on the person whose boundaries you're trampling. If they wanted to show you the rest of their pictures, they would, or you can ask. Failing to understand that would be YOUR shortcoming, not the person who trusted you to follow societal norms.
Load More Replies...It's not right, but I think it's just a subconscious motion from habit. Lol
ok by that logic, i will eat your food, all of it, when you other me a taste 🤷. i mean, you offered me your fork.
Load More Replies...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!
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...