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."
My best friend's mom would blow kisses to other drivers instead of flipping them the bird 🤣 i try to use that tactic whenever possible. Man, that pisses them off.
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If someone lets the car in front of you into the traffic stream don't force your way in too. One car only.
You obviously don't live in the city. Sometimes it's the only way you are getting in the lane
Load More Replies... we do two blinks of the emergency lights here. Hand wave might be interpreted as flipping the bird.
I live in Mississippi but I work in Memphis, TN. Every single day, without fail, the MS drivers give a thank you wave and the TN drivers just cut you off, no wave, no waiting for adequate space between vehicles, etc. It's a fun commute.
Maybe it's bc your license plate...TN drivers might think the same of MS drivers...just saying
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However, the wave doesn't make everything right if you've bullied your way in, cut people off, or nearly caused an accident.
Yes, when you specifically make room when you didn't have to. The worst is when they ignore you, feels like a snub!
Also applies when someone stops for you to cross a street on which there are no lights or crosswalks. Or even in a crosswalk.
Yes! Knees to chest mother f****r, knees to chest!
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I also like the hat tipping and flashing the peace sign ✌, it was addressed at me once and I loved it
Depends on the circumstance. When merging onto the freeway (zipper merge, for gosh sake's people), then a wave is not necessary. It's standard behavior to let a car (one and only one car) to merge in. Thank you wave is not necessary and is in fact not desirable as we're all moving at 55+ mph and should not be bothering with waving.
Or nod. I drive manual so both my hands are occupied and waving could be dangerous
Not enough people know that concept. It's engrained into my way of life, you give me a chance to turn or whtever I'm going to thank you with a wave...
I'd settle for people using their turn signals when it's appropriate
In my all of my driving years, I have let thousands of cars into the traffic stream and have stopped for pedestrians (yes, I know it's the law) to cross, way before I have to do so. My positive "thank-you" wave rate is about 5%. Happens in the grocery store, as well. No "thank you" for letting someone go before me, at about the same percentage rate. So, in the store, when I am ignored for being nice, I simply say, "you're welcome" to the rude person. In my car, I say, "You're welcome. I live to serve you." I know that the person can't hear me, but it's so therapeutic to say the words.
If they let me in front of them I put on my hazards for about three flashes
everyone seems like they have syper dark window tint. so why bother. its not like they can see u
In Germany you put a hand up without waving. It leaves little room to be misinterpreted since it's even mentioned in drivers training.
I do that. Or if I am walking and they let me go, I bow my head for them.
Yes please, I'm tired of saying "you're welcome, a*****e". It has turned me into a less polite driver.
And if a driver stops to let you cross the road, the thank you wave is also required
Honestly, a s**t day can be made even worse when someone doesn't give you a wave or thumbs up for letting them through.
Unless you're riding a motorcycle, where removing a hand from the bars will ensure some blind driver will immediately attempt to run you over.
Actually no. Hand signals are easily misinterpreted. If you want to say thanks, blink your four-ways twice. If someone doesn't wave, assume they are trying to be careful and not that they are being a jerk.
I disagree. Hazards mean I'm breaking down give me room to pull over, so this maneuver has a high probability to negatively affecting traffic. Waving also bad as it could be misinterpreted. You should just swerve two times to send the love. (JK on last part)
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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!
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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