When it comes to unwritten rules, there are plenty of grey areas between what behaviors people consider OK and not. Social norms differ between cultures; a certain act may receive sanctions or punishments within one group but be seen as normal within another. Plus, as society's understanding of norms changes over time, so too does its members' perception of deviance.
In an attempt to learn if this transformation can stall, Redditor u/sadboi017 asked other users: "What is considered socially unacceptable for no reason?" 34.9K upvotes and 21.3K comments later, I think it's safe to say that it can. Continue scrolling and check out some of the most popular answers.
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Turning down an invitation to go out simply because you’d rather stay home with your pets, save money, and preserve your mental health in glorious solitude.
Using swings/playground equipment as an adult. I friggin love going on the swings, I’m 30 and it still fascinates me that I can quickly and easily get 10-15 feet (or higher) in the air with some simple leg movement.
One day I was at a fairly deserted local park on the swings having the time of my life. Suddenly Karen shows up with her two ankle biters, hands on her hips and yells at me “WHAT ARE YOU DOING ON THERE?! THE SWINGS ARE FOR THE KIDS, NOT ADULTS!”
My tax dollars paid for these swings, and there’s no sign saying that I can’t, so I’ll use them as much as I damn well please whenever I want. How much tax did little Johanathan and little Kymburleigh Pay last year? None? Guess they can’t use the swings either.
I too love the swings and will happily go on them when the playground isn't busy.
Not answering your own door. When there's like a salesman at someone's door, they won't want to answer but they will act like no one is home, and be really quiet so the person outside the door doesn't hear them. But it's your house. I could just stare at a salesman out the window as he rings my bell, who cares. It's my house. I don't have to answer my own door, for whatever reason I deem acceptable. You came to my house, not the other way around.
Have CCTV installed specifically so I could see who was at the door and avoid answering it if I didn't want to - get a lot of deliveries as I have my own business and need supplies. People with clipboards (one last week which surprised me as it was the first since covid) get ignored.
Leaving without giving an "acceptable" song and dance about why you are leaving, with leaving because you have basically reached your limit with socializing being "not a good enough reason"
People who can stand to be around other people for huge amounts of time, more power to you, but me? I can't do that, and I don't want to have to make up an excuse to do so.
Being open/honest about not having kids. In my personal life I have gotten more ridicule and very pointed questions bordering on disrespectful over being childfree than about any of my other opinions.
Once I said I wasn't having kids my family became obsessed with whether or not I was dating, and who, and oh, what if HE wants kids? What if I meet the "perfect" guy, but he wants kids? Well, then I guess he's not the perfect guy for me. Simple as that. I don't want kids, and no, I don't have to give you a detailed bullet list about why I'm not having kids because what I decide to do with my uterus is none of your business.
The only reason one should ideally need is "because I don't want any". That's my main reason, but for some reason, a lot of people just really want a lot of unwanted and unloved children in the world I guess...
I'm a grown man and I love flowers. Not even 'masculine' flowers, I have an orchid collection.
There is a sort of Orchid called Holy ghost or something like that. When bud is closed, looks like praying monks. When blooming it's resembles a dove of peace. Absolutely STUNNING!!!
waking up at 11am or later
i'm not lazy. my responsibilities are taken care of. i stay up late and value my sleep hours.
In some places, calling in sick, because it's "letting down the team" or whatever. Screw off, I'm sick as a dog. There's little I will accomplish other than feeling like death warmed up, so you aren't missing out on much. Plus I could spread whatever I've got to coworkers, then we're all sick
One of my former bosses fired someone on the spot for coming to work with a bad case of the flu after having told her that she needed to stay home. There was no reason for her to come to work, she would have gotten paid for as long as she was sick.
Wearing a surgical mask when you are sick to prevent giving the illness to others.
Men crying. It’s seen as a weakness typically rather than compassion.
Being single.
Some people are okay not being in a relationship for some time and are perfectly happy, but other people just don't understand that.
What I don't get is why couples choose not to hang out with their single friends anymore. They only do stuff with their couple friends and it's so frustrating
Not drinking alcohol around others who are drinking. People don’t like it
Thats actually a terrible social pressure. Especially for former alkoholics.
True and people always assume that you are a recovering alcoholic which is not bad of course but i don't need to give you details for my life! I might be on medication i don't need to explain
Load More Replies...I don't drink and drive. Like not a single drink. When I tell people that, they assume it's because I have had DUIs in the past. I'm like "No...it's so I don't have one in the future, numbnuts."
People assuming you are a former alcoholic because you don't like to drink. No I just don't enjoy the effects or the taste.
There's no such thing as a former alcoholic. They are either in recovery or they're not. If people want to judge my sobriety they can go ahead. I don't care. I am who I am and proud of the growth I made. Funny thing is I don't tell them they just assume then tell me for no apparent reason that they hardly drink or want to stop.
Load More Replies...i know! people look at me weird when i say that i don't drink alcohol. never liked the taste.
Same here. Tried it accidentally in a praline as a teenager once. Never again. But I do eat it I guess (that's more often the case than many realize and even in fruit there's often alkohol - it's almost impossible to avoid it entirely so I don't even try but it must be really hard for recovering alcoholics)
Load More Replies...I'm the guy who never drinks alcohol, not at parties, not at social gatherings, not when visiting friends or whatever. The pressure's high but i don't care. You do whatever pleases you, but since I don't like drinking at all, I don't... and if that's unacceptable to you, too bad, so sad, I ain't going to do something that displeases me "for you".
My late father in law never drank. Served him well when he was a B-25 pilot in WW2. Loved him some good chocolate bars and doughnuts though.
Load More Replies...I just get a Shirley Temple plus lime. Looks fancy enough like you have a mixed drink. Half the time people don't pay attention to what you order as long as you order something. They are too busy thinking of what they want to order. It's only when a soda can or an obvious water is served do people say anything. I don't really care for booze anyway. I've even get away with just selter water and people rarely say anything. Your mileage may vary.
Also not eating sweets/ cakes, or hypercaloric dishes. Some peole also try to make you feel guilty for refusing: "You don't like it... I worked so hard for these and you don't show appreciation..." For someone who is on a diet - due to a disease or just to lose weight - this is terrible.
I'm a recovering alcoholic and I will flip this in a heartbeat. If you have a problem with me not drinking, maybe you have a drinking problem.
I'm 48 years old with the palate of a 5 year old; I don't drink alcohol because I don't like it (nor do I like coffee, eggs, seafood, etc): I just don't understand why people care! Do you and leave me alone!
So true! In my thirties I developed a terrible allergic reaction to alcohol (after a life threatening illness) and now can't drink more than a few social sips. When people get mad I know it's usually because they have feelings of guilt over their drinking habits. (Not my problem, thank goodness, I have enough problems already). Anyhow, I much prefer to chomp an edible instead.
Have stomach issue and i can't tolerate much alc, get asked if it's for religious reasons or get teased that im a grandma until I have to explain it's medical then people suddenly shut up about it. Whilst im very open and don't mind explaining, it can get tedious when there is always someone butting a joke at you, also not everyone is ok to share their personal life issues with anyone in earshot.
Also let's be fair, drunk people are nearly intolerable when you're sober.
I have Bipolar 2 Disorder. I just make a bit of a joke. "It doesn't mix with my drugs, man". Which it doesn't.
I don't drink at all, never have. Somehow I don't feel that pressure, but maybe it is because literally nobody has ever seen me with an alcoholic drink. I wonder why nobody ever pressures me into having a beer or wine or whatever when they do so with others. Honestly wondering.
I'm a one and done drinker, and yes, it does seem to annoy people if you stick to tea or soda.
As long as they don't frown at me for having another drink, and getting "sillier as the night goes on", I like them. If they don't care that I'm drinking, I don't care if they aren't, as long as we are all having a good time. . . don't worry about it. Enough said!
I'm a recovering alcoholic (12 years sober). I don't think my friends knew how bad it was, but they don't get too nosy about why I'm not drinking. Although, when asked, I tell them I'm diabetic (and I am), and that pretty much gets me out of it.
This is terrible for someone like me who literally cannot drink more than a tablespoon or two without experiencing "rather unpleasant" effects. So essentially I can't drink. I get sick. No fun time. Just sick. I turn down all invites where the description is "We're hanging out at the [insert bar name here] bar" - because what ALWAYS happens? They all drink.. and they drink ... and they form the "wall" - you know ... the one where they create a little social space with their bodies... and you're sitting outside of it...
I wonder about this b/c I haven't experienced it in so many years. I never drank like other people. Once I hit 30, no one gave me crap for not drinking or not drinking like other people. Now, that most of my friends are older, many of us don't drink b/c of medications.
Noone I associate with would ever want me to feel pressured to drink, and honestly if anyone does (regardless who you are) I promise you: you are worth more than that. No friends is better than destructive saboteurs in your circle. You may not move fast rowing alone, but you'll sink if you let people drill holes in your boat.
Yeah I have sick pancreas an can’t drink AT ALL, no matter that is 'just one shot', 'just a beer' or 'but it’s my birthday' - every amount of alcohol could kill me or at least send me to the hospital. But yet ppl don’t understand WHY I don’t want to drink 'just a little' with them.
The same goes for weed-smoking friends. For some reason, the person not smoking or drinking when they are makes them uncomfortable.
If people want to drink, go for it. I don't like getting drunk in public for safety reasons.
I never drunk... but people tend to ask me if I had been an alcoholic!?
You can always say that you don't like the taste, or that you take meds that forbid alcohol.
One fellow, we'll call him 'Alky' actuall said to me "Take a drink of this or you don't love me"
I don't drink, and I tend not to socialise with people who do, because I have to defend my non drinking habits every time.
Yeah, I’ve never understood this, I’m ok if you want to drink, why can’t you be ok that I don’t want to drink?
It's weird, really. I had no problem being sober around drunk people when I was bartending, but being sober on the other side of the bar...drunk people can be so annoying.
I have had this issue. I'm like "you don't want me to drink around you". Then I end up with one, which turns into 6 or 7, and then they learn their lesson when I turn into a drunk "new jersian", aka, the world's biggest asshole.
I drink because I like the occasional beverage, if you don't good for you, we can still hang out. If my drinking makes you uncomfortable, say something and again...we can still hang out. It really isn't that hard.
Weird thing, my husband and I both don't drink, people gave us s**t when we were younger but not so much anymore.
I don’t like Alcohol but I’m always pressured into drinking it in social situations, it has become an essential part of socializing, such a waste.
We've never had a problem with that. Soda for us, beer for them, and we brought our own water, thanks. We've never been pressured.
Never a drinker, b/c grew up around 'em. I tried it, disliked it, the end. Not their business.
A colleague used to bring her own alcohol-free beer to all functions so people would leave her alone. She'd never had a drink in her life, and didn't want to. From a family of raging alcoholics, she didn't want to risk it herself, and didn't want to continually explain herself.
Yep. That's me. I don't drink. I don't like the taste or the buzz. Doing lighting and roadie stuff often puts me in an alcoholic environment, and some people get weird about me not drinking. So I usually light up some weed. Screw having some drunks judge me for not drinking. My best refusal is to say that I just did a bunch of coke, and I don't want to mess up a great buzz, lol!
I will be enjoying my Shirley temple from the “kids menu” thanks. ^-^
I don't get this. Even if they are drinking water, they are drinking with you.
easy fix for this one, order Shirley Temples :) They're delicious anyway
I have actually accepted this because my husband has maybe had 10 beers in the time that I've been married to him..and we just passed 31 years of marriage.
I've always just said "Aw, yeah, thanks, I can't drink." Said like that and looking straight in their eyes, I've not been questioned. But I've often seen the hamster behind their eyes scrambling, "Is she an alcoholic? On medication? Pregnant?" (only complete strangers would ever think the last option - those who know me know better)
A friend of mine taught me to get a Henry Weinharts root beer because it looks like a normal beer and just carry it around. Changed my whole experience from people practically forcing me to drink to actually talking to me. America is utterly addicted to alcohol.
It's fun to stay sober and watch others drink and get stupid. Sometimes disgusting but entertaining.
And when in a couple it's the woman who drinks the alcohol? We have done this many times and every time the waiter puts the alcoholic drink in front of my husband. When we say it's not like that they seem having a problem to understand this scenario, like if we were aliens or something.
I stopped drinking for a year and during that time going out with my friends while they were drinking was intolerable; drunk people are so f*****g annoying! I've started drinking again partly so I don't end up spending the evening wanting to kill everyone :P
I once ordered a ginger ale at happy hour and had to convince a bunch of colleagues that I wasn't pregnant... 🙄
I don’t mind it at all. Perhaps I just don’t have friends who pressure me into drinking. If I was a pain the a**e and lectured everyone else on their consumption then they’d probably have a point but I’d have to ask myself why I agreed to come to the pub in the first place.
Yep! I always tell people that its no moral judgement on those who do ... I just am well aware that I cant hold my liquor- I get drunk on a single shot & when Im intoxicated there are only two things I am going to do- BOTH START WITH AN F! If I drink enough I can do both at the same time...
I know the both sides of this. Trying not to drink and being stuck on driving wasted people around the town the whole night (wtf, I wanted to leave early and have a good night sleep) and listening mind numbing drunken babble. Or drinking in the crowd with one teetotal person sitting quietly in the corner, visibly uncomfortable. Or sometimes the sober one is trying to embarras everyone else. I once dropped a plate in an office party and was called drunk before I had even a sip. Listen boy, I'm not drunk just clumsy af. Anyway. Unless everyone else only drinks one glass, having one non-drinker in the goup is usually just awkward.
Lost every one of my friends after they decided to start brewing in the basement. I never said anything against it, I just never drank it. Or anything else - I just don’t like the alcohol taste. Looooong story short, they’d break into my room, exclude me intentionally, and finally kicked me out. Over me not drinking. Bizarre.
This one is ridiculous. I occasionally meet up with two of my friends for karaoke. Neither drinks. That's fine with me; I'm still going to have a couple beers and NOT push them on their personal choices, just like they don't push me on mine.
I'd never pressure anyone. Say no once and I'd maybe ask "are you sure?" and that's it
Try this one in Europe! If you say you don't like alcohol, they ask if you're sick or something
When I got pregnant and I didn't want to reveal it too early, I said I had a migraine or I accepted a very small glass of wine and pretended to drink it. How sad and frustrating.
Load More Replies...Not true. If this is the case, maybe a revaluation of your friends is in order.
Not true, I rarely drink and have a teetotal friend, but whenever we went out as a group, no drama! If you're being pressured, they're bad friends, but it might be just in your head
Yes true. I find it fascinating when someone expresses their frustration with a thing that happens to them, and then dozens of people respond "oh yeah, I hear you"... and then people like you say "not true". You have ZERO ability to judge whether or not a complete stranger's experiences are "true" or not. And the fact that you haven't personally experienced this might just make you a unique minority, rather than them being "not true".
Load More Replies...Being honest when asked “how are you”
Come to the Netherlands and ask someone that question. You'll get a thorough schooling on their mental, physical and financial situation. Which most of the times is summed up in the one word "kut" or the even more profound comment "tering kut".
Eating lunch alone in your car at work. It's quiet, comfortable, and I don't have to make small talk when I'm trying to have some 'me' time out of the office.
Napping at work during my lunch break. I don't really need food in the afternoon, what I really need is a nap!
Skipping as an adult. It's unfortunate because it is faster than walking and much more fun than running.
Stop thinking about what others may think. I'm a 44 years old, long hair undercut, full beard, tattoooed guy in heavy boots and I love puddle hopping, so i do.
40+ male at a playground
Yes I have no partner, yes that's my 6 year old kid having a blast
No I'm not a pedo but thank you for your questions and passive glares
Women not shaving.
Someone made a comment on here about some famous woman not shaving her armpits. I responded with 'So?' and asked why they considered it their business. No reply.
Wearing the same clothes 2 days in a row
Yes to this. We as a society have gone *way* over the top about things like this and it's doing the planet a huge disservice.
Cursing.
Seriously, how and why the f*ck did society decide that certain sounds will corrupt children?
Swearing also has degrees. The US really dislikes the c-word that Australians use with abandon! Swearing also has power - that's the point of it. If your three year old peppers conversation with f-bombs it loses its emphatic effect. Which is why we end up having to create new curse words, because the old ones aren't strong enough any more.
Apparently self defense isn’t allowed in schools. I guess I just have to accept the beating.
Having fun as an adult. Fun has no expiration date, you don't suddenly no longer qualify for fun and have to live a life of watching the news and drinking coffee. People shame adults for doing fun things and that's absolute nonsense
Not wanting to make small talk. Sometimes being alone in a public place is my only alone time.
I have to put on the show at work and talk to people ALL DAY LONG and if I just want to sit in a bar or cafe or on a bench by myself and stare at my phone I shouldn't be forced to exchange small talk with someone just because they happen to be in the vicinity of me.
Like currently, I'm having a really bad day and just want to go sit and have a drink and stare at cats or something because being in my house is making it worse, but I can't, because I'll be forced to chit chat with someone near me.
Weird idea: Say "I had a very stressful day and need some quite time alone now, please." It is surprising how often that works.
Showing distaste for ones family in any way, shape, or form
Not hiding your tampon when you go to the restroom
I don't. I'm a woman, I bleed. Thinking that something is socially unacceptable is not a one way road. I think it's socially unacceptable to find this socially unacceptable.
Going to the movies alone.
Pre-pandemic I would go to the movies alone all the time. It's nice. Nobody jabbering away at you so much you can't hear the movie.
Being the first person to get up from your chair when snacks are brought into a meeting room. There's always that one hero that does it though so others can get in line.
Walking your cat.
That's not socially unacceptable. I have the highest respect for people who walk their cats instead of kicking them out the door when they leave for work so the cat has to roam the neighborhood and pee and poop in other peoples gardens.
Refusing generosity. It's perfect alright to politely decline, even though others would vilify you for being ungrateful and cold.
Sometimes one should allow others to experience the act of giving. It makes me uncomfortable to be a recipient, but people need that sometimes.
My dad gets SUPER offended when I put my elbows on the table. I still dont know why.
I don't know, I guess I was raised with this as table etiquette? I suppose it's one of those things which has just come through history. Any pandas here know?
There are a ton of rules around clothing that are completely arbitrary nonsense. And I don’t even just mean workplace dress codes and gendered clothing that are obvious bullsh*t. Even in casual situations, jeans and a flannel shirt are normal, but if you wore plaid flannel pajama pants and a denim shirt, you would look psychotic.
Clothing rules are used as a proxy to see at a glance how good you are at conforming to the rules of society.
Ladies can call their friends her "girlfriends," but a man, absolutely not, cannot call his friends his "boyfriends." That's not fair.
hats indoors. No one has given me a valid reason why I need to tell students to take their hats off.
Running everywhere instead of walking.
But you are more likely to collide with someone if running rather than walking, so I wouldn't say that there's no reason for this to be socially unacceptable. It's also very impractical since most of us don't want to run everywhere and thus it'll be hard for those who do want to run to get around us safely.
Buying beer at 7 am. Not everyone works a 9-5. Some people just got off work
My voice gets a lil high pitched when I’m annoyed or excited (guy) and my dad of all people frowns upon it for no reason
Drinking soup, mostly referring to soup that’s mostly broth/cream, directly from a cup or mug and forgoing the unnecessary spoon. Will never understand it.
Using two different socks
There are literally brands here in Slovakia that sell a pair of two different socks (connected only by theme).
Having dessert before the entree when eating at a restaurant with others.
Realising you're walking the wrong way and then turning around and going back
Walking while you’re on an escalator. Srsly dude, stop looking at me like that
Talking about the money you make/your salary.
Employers just don't want people to know how much their coworkers make doing the same job. You can't really explain why the 20 year old daughter makes twice as much as the 30 year old single mother.
Standing backwards in an elevator.
In Greece it's considered rude and impolite to stand in front of someone with your back turned to them, so in an elevator people usually stand in a circle facing inwards which leaves a lot of useless space in the middle.
standing on a roof, sometimes. why cant i stand on my dang roof, its my business if i break my legs
A lot of these are not something that society disapproves of. Stems mainly from our own limitations and perceptions.
Yes. Many of these seem to confuse social norms with social embarrassment due to low self-esteem. I would not have trouble doing most of these, assuming it would not bother others too much.
Load More Replies...Birthdays - or rather the lack of interest in one. I never understood this silly notion of this personal holiday. I don't do anything special on it and it always bothers people : "What? You're not doing anything special?" "Come on you have to do something" "why don't you come with us, we'll throw you a party" No thanks. I'm not embarrassed to ask, I'm not shy I just don't like this stupid thing and would rather just stay at home. Why is that a thing?
"The best birthday present you can give me is some peace and quiet. Don't even worry about wrapping it. Just go away."
Load More Replies...Why are these things not acceptable? I love playing in parks, and sending my man flowers and time to myself. And why cant a man cry? They too have feelings and need to sometimes Express them. I think if you're comfortable with something, then do it. Who cares what others think.
Totally. I think this comes with age anyway as people re-evaluate their lives and everntually realise they can do what they want if it's not harming anyone. Shame it often takes that to change how we act.
Load More Replies...Being a cat lover seems to trigger a lot of people. I'm introverted, goofy, adore my cat, and am a woman. If that makes me a "crazy cat lady", I accept.
I only wish I had multiple cats. I can do fine without a 'boyfriend'. It's cats I would love to have more of.
Load More Replies...When my phone rings, I usually don't answer it. Mostly I don't even have it on. I just get my messages later. Some people get upset that I'm not totally accessible to them all the time, but it's my life and I don't want to be a slave to my phone.
This is really cool and all, but I'm a pushover and whenever someone tells me not to do something I dont do it. Even if I'm passionate about it. I've been told writing books is stupid and now I keep procrastinating my books because I'm a pig pushover and writing books is a stupid little kid thing to do
A lot of these are applicable in different countries, and let's not exclude the size of the community you live in. Sure, if you live in a large city, the "norm" is very diluted and people tend to just not care what you do. But in smaller communities, everything stands out. You get old people shake their heads going ts-ts when you wear looser clothes. You get mocked that you are a virgin when you are 15 by your peers. I had a case (as a kid, maybe 9-10 years old), i was playing with my mom and sister in our room, ehen my grandma rushed in, and told us to "Stop laughing, or your grandfather will come!". Apparently laughter and noise in general were frowned upon in their generation's view. So, you do you. If someone doesn't like it, well...they can look the other way.
Here's an idea! Let's all just do what brings us joy and makes us comfortable. If that means setting boundaries with others, do that, albeit kindly. Once others start to see that these things *are* perfectly acceptable, they'll be relieved and start doing them too.
Being a girl walking alone at night. People think I'm crazy for doing it. I am careful, I live in a good area, what's the problem?
#41 Asking me a question when I have food in my mouth, then getting annoyed that I won't immediately answer you.
Being barefoot. Even in the cold I prefer to be barefoot - outside in the grass, whatever. I am constantly called a hillbilly. No, I just prefer to be barefoot, thanks.
I do not want to hold your baby because I will likely drop it by accident. Babies mildly scare me
I love this post because apparently I do many unacceptable things, which in turn makes me feel even more unique. Kudos! 💜
This was another topic where several times I thought of a comment or example while I was reading, then found my exact same thought in the comments. Sort of makes you feel a)unnecessary, and/or b)in touch with the world!
A lot of these are not something that society disapproves of. Stems mainly from our own limitations and perceptions.
Yes. Many of these seem to confuse social norms with social embarrassment due to low self-esteem. I would not have trouble doing most of these, assuming it would not bother others too much.
Load More Replies...Birthdays - or rather the lack of interest in one. I never understood this silly notion of this personal holiday. I don't do anything special on it and it always bothers people : "What? You're not doing anything special?" "Come on you have to do something" "why don't you come with us, we'll throw you a party" No thanks. I'm not embarrassed to ask, I'm not shy I just don't like this stupid thing and would rather just stay at home. Why is that a thing?
"The best birthday present you can give me is some peace and quiet. Don't even worry about wrapping it. Just go away."
Load More Replies...Why are these things not acceptable? I love playing in parks, and sending my man flowers and time to myself. And why cant a man cry? They too have feelings and need to sometimes Express them. I think if you're comfortable with something, then do it. Who cares what others think.
Totally. I think this comes with age anyway as people re-evaluate their lives and everntually realise they can do what they want if it's not harming anyone. Shame it often takes that to change how we act.
Load More Replies...Being a cat lover seems to trigger a lot of people. I'm introverted, goofy, adore my cat, and am a woman. If that makes me a "crazy cat lady", I accept.
I only wish I had multiple cats. I can do fine without a 'boyfriend'. It's cats I would love to have more of.
Load More Replies...When my phone rings, I usually don't answer it. Mostly I don't even have it on. I just get my messages later. Some people get upset that I'm not totally accessible to them all the time, but it's my life and I don't want to be a slave to my phone.
This is really cool and all, but I'm a pushover and whenever someone tells me not to do something I dont do it. Even if I'm passionate about it. I've been told writing books is stupid and now I keep procrastinating my books because I'm a pig pushover and writing books is a stupid little kid thing to do
A lot of these are applicable in different countries, and let's not exclude the size of the community you live in. Sure, if you live in a large city, the "norm" is very diluted and people tend to just not care what you do. But in smaller communities, everything stands out. You get old people shake their heads going ts-ts when you wear looser clothes. You get mocked that you are a virgin when you are 15 by your peers. I had a case (as a kid, maybe 9-10 years old), i was playing with my mom and sister in our room, ehen my grandma rushed in, and told us to "Stop laughing, or your grandfather will come!". Apparently laughter and noise in general were frowned upon in their generation's view. So, you do you. If someone doesn't like it, well...they can look the other way.
Here's an idea! Let's all just do what brings us joy and makes us comfortable. If that means setting boundaries with others, do that, albeit kindly. Once others start to see that these things *are* perfectly acceptable, they'll be relieved and start doing them too.
Being a girl walking alone at night. People think I'm crazy for doing it. I am careful, I live in a good area, what's the problem?
#41 Asking me a question when I have food in my mouth, then getting annoyed that I won't immediately answer you.
Being barefoot. Even in the cold I prefer to be barefoot - outside in the grass, whatever. I am constantly called a hillbilly. No, I just prefer to be barefoot, thanks.
I do not want to hold your baby because I will likely drop it by accident. Babies mildly scare me
I love this post because apparently I do many unacceptable things, which in turn makes me feel even more unique. Kudos! 💜
This was another topic where several times I thought of a comment or example while I was reading, then found my exact same thought in the comments. Sort of makes you feel a)unnecessary, and/or b)in touch with the world!