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There are certain things in life that should just go without saying: Don’t leave empty containers in the fridge. If you see someone trip while they’re walking, just avert your eyes and pretend you didn’t see a thing. Never comment on another person’s weight or say anything negative about their appearance. And please, say please and thank you!

There are plenty of rules that our parents instilled in us as children that we’ll never forget, but we didn’t all learn the same rules. So we’ve gone through a couple of Reddit threads where people shared the unwritten rules of life that they think everyone should be living by, to help you pandas, or anyone else out there, who might want to adopt some of these philosophies.

From social etiquette we should all know to phrases you’re obligated to say when you see an adorable dog, this list is all about life’s little silent rules. Be sure to upvote the rules you agree with, and let us know in the comments any others that you’d like to add to the list. Keep reading to also find an interview we were lucky enough to receive from Jeff Leitner, founder of Unwritten Labs, and then if you’re interested in checking out another Bored Panda article discussing unspoken rules everyone should know, look no further than right here!      

More info: Reddit | Reddit

#1

If a child waves, you wave back. If a child says hello, you say hello back. If a child calls you on an imaginary hand-telephone, you take the call on your imaginary hand-telephone.

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TheQueenZ
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This one is the best and most universal law. It may as well be written into governance.

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To gain more insight on the topic of life’s unspoken rules, we reached out to Jeff Leitner, founder of Unwritten Labs, which studied unwritten rules from 2018 to 2021. First, we were curious how Jeff defines unwritten rules and where his fascination for them came from. “There are two ways to explain what unwritten rules are — the technical, wonky way and the easy-to-understand way,” he told Bored Panda. “The wonky way is this: Unwritten rules are powerful, informal suggestions about how we should behave and what we should do to succeed in social environments.”

“The friendlier version is this: Unwritten rules are the ways we know we’re supposed to behave when we’re with other people, so they don’t give us dirty looks or stop being friends with us,” Jeff explained. “In families, unwritten rules are things like ‘Don’t air our personal business with outsiders’ or ‘Always defend your siblings.’ With friends, unwritten rules are things like ‘We don’t date each other’s exes’ or ‘We stop each other from doing stupid things.’ At work, unwritten rules are directives like ‘Don’t leave the office if your team is on a deadline’ or ‘Always defer to colleagues with more seniority.’”

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#2

Life Is Complicated, Here're 30 "Unwritten Rules" That People Shared To Make It A Bit Clearer Be kind to people that are working. Food staff, medical staff, etc. Don’t take your bad day out on someone else.

sas1013 , Ketut Subiyanto Report

#3

Life Is Complicated, Here're 30 "Unwritten Rules" That People Shared To Make It A Bit Clearer That just because someone is family, doesn't mean they're a good person

Lo-Fi_Kuzco , Polina Zimmerman Report

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Saggi
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And stop giving people second chances. If they hurt you, and don’t give a f**k, stop seeking for their validation to feel your pain. “Giving second chances is like giving the shooter they bullet back because they missed the first time”

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“I got interested in unwritten rules when a colleague and I were trying to figure out how to solve big social problems, like hunger and homelessness,” Jeff shared. “We saw that our society has everything it needs to solve those problems, but that social norms (which are unwritten rules at scale) were getting in the way. After that, I got interested in a few related ideas, like how all organizations actually run on unwritten rules.”

#4

Life Is Complicated, Here're 30 "Unwritten Rules" That People Shared To Make It A Bit Clearer Never make fun of someone else's laugh, be it how they sound or how they look. Laughing is the most natural expression of joy and happiness and for someone to feel self-conscious about that because of other's comments is so brutal

ArthurMcSlothington , Jonathon Burton Report

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Helena
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I apparently have a witch cackle. To that I say, I'll get you my pretty and your little dog too.

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#5

I live by this rule I made after thinking about things late at night.

If someone does something that makes them happy and confident. If it doesn't hurt them or anyone else, animals included. Then leave them alone, let them do that thing. Let them be happy.

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We were also curious if Jeff agrees with many unwritten rules or if he thinks we should view them critically and question them. “As weird as they can be, unwritten rules actually keep our organizations, families, and societies together,” he noted. “Think about it — when was the last time you read the employee handbook at work? Maybe when you first started, if your company even has an employee handbook? No, you know how to behave at work — who to be nice to, who to avoid, how to do your work — based on hundreds of unwritten rules you picked up by watching your colleagues.”

“Now that isn’t to say that there aren’t unwritten rules that get in our way," Jeff added. "We’ve all done stupid things because of peer pressure, which is essentially unwritten rules on steroids."

#6

Life Is Complicated, Here're 30 "Unwritten Rules" That People Shared To Make It A Bit Clearer If someone asks for a tampon/pad and you have one to give, you give it to them. Even to a stranger

Idkwhattocallblub , Sora Shimazaki Report

#7

If they will cheat *with* you, then they will cheat *on* you.

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“As for questioning unwritten rules, good luck with that,” Jeff told Bored Panda. “Most of the time, we’re following them unconsciously. We’re so accustomed to watching everybody for social cues and then doing what they do that we’re generally unaware we’re doing it — hundreds of times a day. And research has shown that we don’t like the idea that we’re responding to social pressure and unwritten rules. We’d rather believe that we’re strong-minded individualists — even if we’re really not.”

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#9

You must say "oooo big stretch" when a dog starts stretching. It's the law

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Helena
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Without fail, when my dog yawns I say "that's some big yawnin' tiny doggin'".

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When it comes to unwritten rules Jeff considers beneficial, he shared that he likes rules that tell us not to “punch down”, or pick on people who have less power than us. “If you think about it, there aren’t really written rules that prohibit bullying. We count on unwritten rules to tell people not to do it,” he explained. 

“I don’t like the unwritten rules that tell us to ‘stay in your lane’,” Jeff added. “I think we defer way too much to so-called experts, who just keep doing things the way they were taught to do them. If we could somehow get rid of those unwritten rules, I suspect we could spark a lot of new ideas and solve a bunch more problems.”

#10

Life Is Complicated, Here're 30 "Unwritten Rules" That People Shared To Make It A Bit Clearer Don’t have strong opinions about something you know nothing about

Heatherfeatherpigeon , Alex Green Report

#11

Don’t put your music on speakers when in a public space. It’s not like everyone wants the same genre or was in the mood for music. Get your headphones.

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Firstname Lastname
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Dude was blasting from a bluetooth boombox down the street at 7am on a Saturday when everyone was trying to sleep. Found him to be the epitome of rude. Besides, it's cold out, so headphones are like magical earmuffs.

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#12

Life Is Complicated, Here're 30 "Unwritten Rules" That People Shared To Make It A Bit Clearer Horrible people wont always be punished for hurting others and it sucks

sadstupidpigeon , Van Ha Report

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censorshipsucks
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

the rich won't be punished. the powerful won't be punished. This is why we have assassinations in this world. Because there is only justice for the middle class. The poor will never see justice till inequality is eliminated.

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Jeff also touched on how the unwritten rules in a workplace might not be clear to everyone. He noted that it’s common for, within a company, an employer to not know the unwritten rules of their employees. “There are a couple of reasons for that. One, the unwritten rules don’t really apply to them,” he explained. “Bosses tend not to be as vulnerable to having fellow employees irritated with them. Two, some of the unwritten rules actually function as tips on how to work around the boss — how to stay on their good side, how to get the best projects, or how to get promoted.”

#13

Life Is Complicated, Here're 30 "Unwritten Rules" That People Shared To Make It A Bit Clearer If you're borrowing it for a third time, you need one of your own.

Kayge , Bidvine Report

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Helena
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've always thought that subdivisions or apartment complexes etc should have a place where you can check out 'occasional' items. When you don't need things on a regular basis (small kitchen appliances, tools, etc, you'd be able to check them out from a library of items. It would be a solution to needing more square footage for things you almost never use.

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#14

Life Is Complicated, Here're 30 "Unwritten Rules" That People Shared To Make It A Bit Clearer Your mental health isn't your fault, but it is your responsibility.

-lighght- , Kindel Media Report

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Something
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Unfortunately, people with mental health issues aren't best equipped to deal with this responsibility.

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#15

Don’t leave your shopping cart in the middle of the grocery aisle!

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So how much power do life’s unwritten rules wield? “In short, unwritten rules are crazy, crazy powerful,” Jeff says. “Unwritten rules — the ones we’re aware of and the many, many ones we’re not aware of — have much more to do with how we behave than anything else. They are more powerful than written rules, our individual instincts, and our horoscope.”

“We’ve been wired to process unwritten rules for at least 200,000 years, long before we invented language. And while getting kicked out of the tribe isn’t fatal like it was back then, our biology and psychology still take unwritten rules really, really seriously.”

If you’d like to learn more about Jeff’s Unwritten Labs project, be sure to visit its website right here. And then if you’d like to learn more about Jeff's other work and read some of his writing, you can find his website right here.

#16

Life Is Complicated, Here're 30 "Unwritten Rules" That People Shared To Make It A Bit Clearer Not everybody is your friend, be careful who you vent to. Many people only want juicy gossip and don’t give a s**t about you or your problems

psyclopsus , Antoni Shkraba Report

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AutumnSong2009
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yep, I thought I could vent to someone but they ended up turning back at me and now have everything I said to them

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#17

Life Is Complicated, Here're 30 "Unwritten Rules" That People Shared To Make It A Bit Clearer It never hurts to compliment somebody on the quality of their work, their hobbies and whatever field is most important to their self esteem. It always goes a long way.

High-Time-Cymbaline , Antoni Shkraba Report

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crowspectre (he/they)
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

YES. I try my hardest to figure out what people like doing and compliment them on it because whenever someone says I'm good at what l do, it's a huge self esteem boost.

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#18

There is absolutely no shame in going to therapy or talking to someone about your mental health.

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Sometimes, it feels like life would be so much simpler if everything was just spelled out for us. And while that might become incredibly boring over time, we can experience a little bit of it right here for the next few minutes, by reading through this collection of life’s unspoken rules. Keep upvoting the rules you agree with and try to abide by yourself, and feel free to share any more rules for a better life in the comments below. Then if you’d like to dive even deeper into life’s unspoken rules, you can find another Bored Panda article on the same topic right here!   

#19

Life Is Complicated, Here're 30 "Unwritten Rules" That People Shared To Make It A Bit Clearer Before you enter and elevator, LET OTHER PEOPLE OUT FIRST GODDAMNIT!

IcyHotRyan , Liliana Drew Report

#20

Life Is Complicated, Here're 30 "Unwritten Rules" That People Shared To Make It A Bit Clearer Social media isn’t reality

frogbiscuit , George Milton Report

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Mihai Mara
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Social media brings out the worst in people. Such a fake place. Sadly many believe what they see on social media and to become as the "influencers" they follow

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#21

Life Is Complicated, Here're 30 "Unwritten Rules" That People Shared To Make It A Bit Clearer If you saw someone stealing formula, diapers or food, no you didn't

huh_phd , 7C0 Report

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Mihai Mara
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Actually stealing is stealing. Motives might vary, but it is still stealing. Imagine you having a shop. I haven't eaten for 10 days. I come in and steal bread and cheese. Would you still say "I didn't see that'? What you can actually do if you see something like that happening is trying to help that person, because next time they steal things they might get caught and detained. How you can help? Offer to buy those products for them. Put them in touch with NGOs that help people in need. Put them in touch with social workers that can help them.

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#22

Life Is Complicated, Here're 30 "Unwritten Rules" That People Shared To Make It A Bit Clearer Don’t ask for somebody else’s opinion and get mad when they tell it to you.

CatacombsRave , Ketut Subiyanto Report

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AutumnSong2009
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yes I told my old friend I didn’t like Taylor Swift and she got mad and said ‘you don’t have to tell people you don’t like her, it doesn’t make you cooler’ like geez, I’m just saying my opinion, plus no one asks you to talk about how much you love her all the time There have been so many times when people ask me what I think then tell me my opinion is wrong or something and it makes me really mad

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#23

Life Is Complicated, Here're 30 "Unwritten Rules" That People Shared To Make It A Bit Clearer Do not swipe left or right if someone shows you a photo on their phone.

whattheheckisdecaf , Good Faces Agency Report

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Michelle M
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That’s my mom. I always hold the phone firmly while showing her something.

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#24

Don’t mess up an apology with an excuse.

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#25

When driving a car, don't be nice, be predictable. People being nice leads to a s**tload of accidents.

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indiecognition
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There should be something to help make it predictable when a driver wants to make a turn...some kind of signal, perhaps

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Fembot
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That’s exactly the point: on your phone, you’re unpredictable to other road users. And therefore dangerous

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CGZ
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Exactly. Don't ask for favors and don't give favors. Waving someone through the intersection when they want to make a turn across traffic is asking for trouble. There are reasons for all the right-of-way rules. You wave him through, there's a collision, guess what - he's at fault because he didn't have the right of way.

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Lisa H
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Also, don't make assumptions about what other drivers are doing. Just because they have their turn signal on, doesn't mean they're turning.

saamaas_1 avatar
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

and a green light means it is ok to go - not that it is safe to go

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Makayla VerMulm
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

USE BLINKERS AND ALSO DONT DRIVE WITH UR BLINKER ON IF YOU DONT NEED IT

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Wheeskers
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Or maybe they could teach you how, say in high school or something.

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David
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Meh! depends. I do both. I think I get what OP is saying but there is room for both. But don't be that person who hesitates like a deer in the headlights and then after waiting for the other person suddenly lurches forward etc. Related - the YIELD sign when entering a roundabout is NOT A STOP SIGN! haha

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Robin Roper
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well, where I live, the first 5 seconds of a red lights seem to only be a suggestion, so it's predictable that someone will run the light. Wouldn't it be nice if people recognized the red light as law and a very good safety device and actually stopped. In this case, I'd rather have nice.

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Scott Rackley
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

No lie, people trying to "let people out" across a 4 lane highway. Dude, I can't see what's coming in the other lane because your SUV is blocking my sight.

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The Problem With Censorship Is *******
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

YES. I absolutely HATE it when cars stop or wait for me (a pedestrian) where that's not part of the rules. When that happens I always stubbornly look the other way (feeling uneasy and pressured, I might add) until they move the hell on. This is seriously my number one pet peeve in traffic, and yes, I am aware that I am probably being very rude. Sorry. In my defense though, it only happens sporadically now, because I make it a point to hide the fact that I wish to cross the road until a convenient moment forms.

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Miles Mawyer
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I do that too, because the person that's stopping and waving you across is nice and all, but on a 2 lane street the other lane has to stop too for it to matter. Guess what? They don't stop.

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2WheelTravlr
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

One of my favorite motorcycle safety instructors always told us "Don't be where you're not expected", everyone drives somewhat on autopilot since you can't have your head on a swivel or predict every unpredictable action around you, so -- don't be the person who forgets to cancel his turn signal and everyone thinks they're safe to pull out in front of, or go much faster than the traffic flow, or slower than the traffic flow, Don't stop unexpectedly, don't slow down in a traffic flow to scan for your turn (pull over and figure it out when you're not moving). The list is endless, and most people simply do not realize they're doing these things which increase their potential for an accident.

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TrippyBanana
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's better to be defensive when driving just don't be aggressive.

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PleasantCrocodile
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This goes out to those people who SLAM on the brakes when they suddenly see somone waiting at a crosswalk.

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Asphalt Bubblegum
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In several US states, including some "Deep Red" ones, laws have recently been passed that fine people for not using their turn signals, and/or, not using them in a timely and correct fashion.

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Stymied Egan
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If you are on a highway, you have the right of way over the people entering. They should try to match the speed of the traffic. Don't slow down for them. No one behind you is ready for that.

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Mickie Shea
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Like your interpretation of "nice". Think I'll use "predictable from now on.

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Dawnieangel76
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If you're approaching a light, and you're NOT turning right, GTFO of the right lane for those of us who ARE! Also, you're not smart or cute zipping past everyone in line due to a closed lane & try to get in ahead of us who waited out turns from waaaaaaay back when the sign told us. I will NOT let you in, and nobody else should either.

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Barbara Vandewalle
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You mean when the person in the left turn lane turns right - across four lanes.

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S
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Holy s**t THIS. I don't need you to be polite and let me go even though you clearly got to the intersection 1st. What I need is for you to follow the rules of the road and keep it moving.

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Ralph Watkins
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I am a nice driver. What makes me incredibly angry is when you give people a break & they don't take it. At times you can read their lips, complaining on their phone that traffic is heavy & nobody is letting them out. I've seen multiple drivers try to let them out but their complaining on the phone has them too distracted.

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Gregory Mead
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I can't tell you how often I've yielded the right of way to someone who has it, only to have them stop and wave me on. I wave them on BECAUSE THEY HAVE RIGHT OF WAY, they wave me on, and all it does is hold up traffic.

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Bella Sennei
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My father always told me "When you're driving ALWAYS expect other drivers to be careless, brash bearing, ruthless or just stupid. You *have to* drive accordingly to that." That in mind... saved me from a lot of accidents.

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Brooke
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That was the first thing I taught my daughter when she started to drive.

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Jason Smith
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My brother in law,use to live in new york city. He said you need to really aggressive or passive,no middle.

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Emma London
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The same goes with walking and cycling. Sudden changes in speed or direction lead to accidents, no matter if they were made to be considerate!

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Oerff On Tour
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In my country people driving an Opel Agila are predictable as being "nice drivers"

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Dan Holden
Community Member
1 year ago

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#26

Turn on your headlights when it's snowing. I'm talking to you asshole with the white truck.

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#27

Life Is Complicated, Here're 30 "Unwritten Rules" That People Shared To Make It A Bit Clearer The quicker you accept that life isn't fair, the better.

facelesscog , Pavel Danilyuk Report

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Jon Steensen
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There is a major difference between "life is not fair" and "people are not fair". The first one is just a condition of how the world works, the second one is a consequense of someone's decitions. The issue with "life is not fair" is that people often abuse that sentence to justify their own crappy behaviour, when in fact they could do things differently and generate a more fair outcome. Though life is not fair, there are still a lot of measures we could take to compensate for the effect of this fact. E.g. though illnesses like cancer does not strike everbody equally, but involves huge element of luck, we can still do a lot to lessen the spread in the effect it has on people's lives through means like universal healthcare. We're not completely without influence on how our lives evolves -we can change a lot of things based on how we structure our own lives, or, on a greater level, the societies we build. Not using that option but just saying life is not fair, is not the best we can do.

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#28

You are the person you spend the most time with. Be someone you like.

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#29

That nothing will come from making someone feel horrible about themselves.

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#30

Life Is Complicated, Here're 30 "Unwritten Rules" That People Shared To Make It A Bit Clearer Under promise and over deliver. People will think you are a genius.

ballistic-jelly , RODNAE Productions Report

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James016
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Work out how long the task you need to do will take you, double it and add 50%, tell that to whoever needs to know. Complete the task in less than half the time you told them. Also allows for unforseen hiccups

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#31

Life Is Complicated, Here're 30 "Unwritten Rules" That People Shared To Make It A Bit Clearer Not pointing out flaws in someone’s physical appearance

nicksg983 , Mikhail Nilov Report

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N Miller
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If it can be fixed in ten minutes or less, mention it discretely - this covers spinach in teeth, open flies, or partially undone ponytail. Anything else, shut up.

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#32

Life Is Complicated, Here're 30 "Unwritten Rules" That People Shared To Make It A Bit Clearer Let go of what you can not control.

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#33

Life Is Complicated, Here're 30 "Unwritten Rules" That People Shared To Make It A Bit Clearer Give people their personal space. Not everyone wants to snuggle a stranger.

bethbooks07 , Keira Burton Report

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El Dee
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Everyone's personal space is different. If you're struggling mentally it'll likely get larger and if you're like my friend it's tiny. When we talk at a function I end up backing away gradually so we end up at the other side of the room..

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#34

Life Is Complicated, Here're 30 "Unwritten Rules" That People Shared To Make It A Bit Clearer Buy a plunger before you need a plunger

olafthebent , RODNAE Productions Report

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#35

If someone does something unintentionally embarrassing or awkward you pretend it didn't happen and if they look at you you just smile and look away.

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Saggi
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Honestly, if this happened, it would make me more embarrassed, because people are horrible actors, and instead of having a slight hope that no one notices, now i am sure that everyone noticed and both of us are making this embarrassing.

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#36

If someone has headphones in public do not go talk to them. Unless someone is dying and you need their help, LEAVE THEM

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Firstname Lastname
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As the person wearing headphones, this. I have to be nice and make small talk all day as part of my job. Headphone time is me time, and you making me miss the chorus to make more small talk is not helping.

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#37

Don't look through the f***ing gap of bathroom stalls

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#38

Life Is Complicated, Here're 30 "Unwritten Rules" That People Shared To Make It A Bit Clearer Surround yourself with people who will mention your name in a room full of opportunities.

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#39

If you borrow someone's car... fill up the tank before you return it.

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Beeps
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And if you borrow an item of clothing or a wig wash the item before you return it!!! I have stopped lending costumes and wigs to my theatre group because I have had them returned unwashed too many times.

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#40

Single ply toilet paper isn’t worth the savings

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#41

Never cheap out on something between you and the ground. Never cheap out on a bed and shoes.

You spend 1/3 of your life sleeping, a good quality sleep is everything. Good shoes can mean the difference between an 8hr shift vs a 12hr shift.

I’m old.

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#42

Don't be rude to people who prepare/ deliver your food.

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#43

Admit when you've done something wrong.

Trust your gut.

Nobody thinks as much about you as yourself.

Be kind. Don't be an a*****e.

If you need help and it is available, ask for it, take it.

Just because you apologize doesn't mean the other party has to forgive and forget.

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Minath
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Parents can and should apologise to their children. My parents would never say sorry even if they were in the wrong,.

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#44

Always leave an area better than you found it

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#45

If you're on public transport and you see a pregnant woman or elderly person standing you give them your seat

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Minath
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Or anyone with a walking aid. I stopped using the bus after no one would give up their seat for me. I walk with a stick and can't balance on a moving bus.

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#46

If you don't understand something someone is telling you, say so instead of pulling an "opinion" on the topic out of your a*s. There is no shame in not knowing or understanding something. Refusing to admit you don't know and by extension refusing to learn something new because your ego is hurt is gravely misguided, however.

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Jon Steensen
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It is a delicate balance though. There are such things as "you should have known by now" and e.g. exposing that you have failed to learn how to tie you shoes in first grade and have never cought up on the skill since, says alot about either your abilities to learn or your attitude and efforts. It may end up costing you a lot on the respect front and your relationship with other people may suffer as a consequense. However in most cases owning up to you lacking abilities and taking the actions to correct a wrong, can be the best thing you can do for "future you".

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#48

Your best friend may not consider you their best friend

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censorshipsucks
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The concept of a "best friend" is very primary-school. Friends come and go according to geography and circumstances. Enjoy the ones you are with.

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#49

Life is too hard to be anyone except yourself. If you're not sure who you really are, try to find out as early as you can on your own terms because otherwise you'll still find out, just probably in some really tough times

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Jon Steensen
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

life constantly changes and you have to adapt to it. That means that you will discover sides of yourself at the different stages of life, that you can have a hard time imagining before you get some concrete experiences to hang them on. E.g. most people that end up divorsing their spouse probably did not see that one comming when they said yes at the church, and thought that the feelings they had at that time would last forever. But things happens and people change with time.

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#50

Life isn’t a TV show or a movie. Things won’t happen because “they’re meant to happen”. Sometimes you’ve got to create your own luck.

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#51

You can be wrong. It isn't a bad thing, either. And when you are wrong, acknowledge it, and learn from it, you don't need to dig down in your beliefs to try and comfort yourself because you can't handle not being right all the time.

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JB
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I always told my customers there are no stupid questions unless you're asking them a third time.

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#52

DON’T USE THE URINAL IN YOUR DREAM! You’ll thank me later.

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Saggi
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I mean, I would rather not, seeing as I don’t have a d**k and whatnot, but i can give it a try.

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#53

1:
Just because someone is of a higher status than you doesn’t mean that you’re below them as a human being. Stand your ground even when you think you’re wrong or if you think your opinion might be worth less.

2:
Fighting as an adult doesn’t make you look cool, it makes you look stupid.

3:
Don’t desperately look for love, but also don’t ignore it.

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Alan Morgan
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You need to specify that you mean fist fighting. I have been fighting my local council for years over their rotten decisions. And where would the world be if Ukraine did not fight Russia, or if the Allies had backed down from fighting Hitler? Sometimes fighting is the right thing to do.

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#54

If you have to cancel on a friend, it should be your responsibility to reschedule

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Two_rolling_black_eyes
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Unless it is a chronic issue, let someone cancelling slide. An introvert may not have the energy to cope with the world today, a mother can just be too exhausted, or the barista at the coffee house finally got the courage to ask out their favorite customer. We are friends for who we are not for what we do. However, someone who chronically flakes and doesn't say why shows the friendship is one sided.

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#55

Leave it in a better condition than you found it.

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Kathryn Baylis
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And return it right away when you’re done with it. Don’t make the person you borrowed it from have to go on a scavenger hunt to get their stuff back.

#56

Don't ask for something if the person only has one left.(Gum, cigarette, piece of cake etc.)

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VonBlade
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The best answer to "have you got a spare x" is "I don't know I'm not dead yet". (Obv not in the case of food for the hungry and similar)

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#57

Arrive together, leave together

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#58

Think before you speak

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#59

Life actually sucks a lot of the time. If you expect to be happy all the time, you will be sorely disappointed and lost. Instead, work up a resilience to the hard times and take your time to enjoy the good times.

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Saggi
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

See guys. This is why you have ✨low expectations✨. A lot of people are going to hate me for this, but imo, having low standards and surprising yourself is a lot better than being disappointed

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#60

Never trust anyone who proclaims to have answers to unanswerable questions. ie: what happens after you die.

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François Bouzigues
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Your muscles relax. Your muscles loosen immediately after death, releasing any strain on your bowel and bladder. As a result, most people poop and pee at death. Your skin may also sag, making it easier to see your bone structure beneath. Your temperature drops Your blood gets pulled downward Your body stiffens. A few days after death, your body’s tissue breaks down, causing the stiff parts to relax again. There is always room for facts.

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#61

Escalators - right side is for riding, left side is for walking.

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#62

If you lack confidence, fake it. Constantly. After a while you won't have to fake anymore.

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Jon Steensen
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Nah, some of the most dangerous people are the idiots with a huge level of confidence. Know your skill level and your limits, and say it if you don't think you can manage a task and get the help needed. That will result in a much better outcome than just confidently start doing something you simple cannot, and paying the price of failing (this price can in some cases be you life). Most people are tired of those fake persons they run into (consultants, salespeople etc.) who project that they can do anything and promises the world, only to be trapped and discover too late that the overpromised and underdelivered. Being honest about what you can do, and what you cannot, can be vertue. It makes you relatable and people tend to trust someone who knows that they are flawed, and works around it and learn, more than those who send out a signal that they think they are the best person in the world at everything (no one can do this, the world is simply too big for you to have enough time).

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#63

If someone asks you a question, finish what you’re saying with, “what about you?”

Enjoy noticing how many people actually don’t do this.

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#64

What someone thinks about you isn’t your business.

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Helena
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If it affects my income or my quality of life, it is my business.

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#65

You have a choice at every instance of your life. Sure each choice has its own consequence but again it is a choice. Whether you take a decision or not, it is also a choice.

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Alan Morgan
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

One thing I have learned in a long business career is that doing nothing is always an option. And just occasionally it's actually the best option.

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#66

Never talk about how easy something was to get done whether it be a school assignment, task at work, or just something like a hobby of yours. You never know who you’re putting down around you.

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