From how we dress and what we eat to how we talk and even what we allow ourselves to feel; we humans need to internalize a lot of rules if we are to properly function in our societies.
But as you probably know, it can be tricky to rationalize if our actions are acceptable or not.
Recently, Reddit user IPlayBongos was browsing the platform when they came across the question "What feels illegal, but isn't?" in one of the subreddits they follow. "I can't remember which one now, but it was a post that had ... one funny answer (I think it was ... about feeling guilty to leave a supermarket without buying anything.)," they told Bored Panda.
"I thought there must be so many other things that feel this way in life so I just went to r/AskReddit to see what people can come up with."
IPlayBongos reposted the same question there and it instantly caught the eye of the 35.6M-big community. So even though it's not technically an original idea, the Redditor did correctly identify the immense potential of entertainment it possessed. And we're really glad they decided to seek more replies because of the nearly 9K comments IPlayBongos has received, many pinpointed the exact circumstances our moral ambiguity kicks in.
Since we at Bored Panda had such a blast going through the discussion, we decided to compile the most interesting ones and bring you in on the fun too. Enjoy!
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A hundred-billion-dollar corporation paying absolutely zero in taxes whilst also owning several billion-dollar businesses.
Bringing your baby home from the hospital the first time. I remember thinking “they’re really going to let me just walk out of here with this fragile infant and no experience?!”
"I would say most of the answers were driven by some expectations that should be fulfilled by some societal measures, but it somehow feels wrong if they are not," IPlayBongos said. "Like in the supermarket example above, it just feels strange to go inside a store and not buy anything because if you leave empty-handed it feels awkward to just pass by the cashier and simply say bye to them or to just slip out around so many paying customers."
Or consider another scenario: you're talking to colleagues during a coffee break and your boss rolls around. "Even if he doesn't say anything and you're perfectly ok joking around on your break, it somehow reminds you of your duties and the fun dies down."
"One of the top comments was a guy who uses a wheelchair, but still can stand up if needed," IPlayBongos added. "It makes perfect sense to use a wheelchair even if you're not completely disabled, but maybe it's also the fault of pop culture and the infinite gags about faking a disability that we feel like wheelchairs are strictly for people with serious disabilities and others are fakes."
The Redditor said it was actually one answer that they did not expect to hear and that is precisely why they like the platform. "There's always someone who faces completely different challenges than you and it is eye opening [to hear about them]," IPlayBongos said.
Asking someone for the money you lent to him/her.
My dear old dad used to say not to lend more money than you're willing to lose. Solid advice, I don't lend money to anyone besides my mom. I never expect her to pay me back because she's mom and has only ever asked twice to borrow money.
It feels illegal getting out of my wheelchair. I’m not paralyzed but it helps to have a wheelchair, but people always think I’m faking a disability when I get out of my chair.
Your employer will tell you you're not allowed to discuss your wages but legally you are and you cannot be fired for it
It may be legal to discuss your wages with fellow employees, but I bet you're two to one if you do it and you tell your boss that they'll figure out a way to fire you.
Calling in sick when you're actually sick.
U.S legislators are allowed to trade stock in and sit on boards of private companies while passing legislation affecting those companies.
Walking out of a store without buying smth
Yep. I would just kinda anxiously nod at security at the exit and fear they'll stop me, thinking I might've shoplifted something. :')
Driving next to a cop at the speed limit
Or in front of. Heck, I get nervous driving behind them because I had a cop use his rear speed radar and some questionable and unsafe driving tactics to goad me into speeding, just long enough for him to drop behind me then pull me over. He ultimately fined me for doing 70 in a 60, saying he could've nailed me for 75. Judge threw it out in court after hearing about his shenanigans on the highway. Apparently he had a habit of using unorthodox and unsafe maneuvers to trick people into breaking a traffic law just so he could ticket them. I still had to pay admin fees but that was nothing compared to the $300 fine itself.
Being a 30-something male and taking your 4 yr old niece to a kid's live musical. My partner and I took my niece to the Frozen live musical today. Because we purchased tickets at late notice, I had to take a seat in the row behind my (female)partner and my niece. The stares I was getting from the other audience members because I was a dude sitting by myself at a kid's musical... I felt like I should've been in prison.
9/10 though would do it again, the Frozen musical was great!
Sitting at the restaurant, not liking the menu, and leaving.
German restaurants usually have the menu posted outside so you can read it before you enter - don't you have this in the US? It saves everyone a lot of trouble, especially if you are vegetarian.
Coughing in public places
Big companies buying up a whole bunch of housing in some city and renting it out to visitors.
Not liking dogs. People treat it as the worst thing in the world if you aren't deathly allergic and just don't like dogs.
Then the assumption that not liking dogs suggests we're mean to them.
Load More Replies...I like dogs. I just don't own any dogs or animals of any kind. I barely take care of myself so it's better if they just visit and then go home with someone who will take care of them.
Thank you for your responsibility!! Too many people don't take the wellbeing of the animals into consideration.
Load More Replies...I don't mind dogs, they're adorable. However, I like cats more...sorry.
Dog people will say: if you don't like dogs you're a monster. If you don't like cats you're justified, because 'cats are evil'😑 I don't hate dogs. I just prefer cats. I had some unpleasant encounters with dogs. I don't really blame the dogs but the irresponsible owners, that don't train them. But still, a cat will ignore you at worst.
Cats are only evil if you don't take the time to learn how to read them. Dogs are just easier for people to read.
Load More Replies...Ppl try to force dogs sometimes. 20 min ago I was leaving a building at my campus, this huge dog comes out of nowhere (I'm scared of them lol) and I told her I was afraid of it but she was like OHHH HES FINE and walks to me. That's not okay in any circumstance. A fear is a fear, even if you aren't afraid of it.
So disrespectful! I'd never do that, always keep my dogs close (not always on leash, though) to me when strangers walk by. But some peope don't bother letting me know they're afraid and if dog comes a little too close for their comfort, they suddenly explode in anger. I mean, i try to accomodate everyone but i can't see inside people's heads.
Load More Replies...I know it is not the proper analogy, but same is true for the case when you don't like kids. You are a true monster for not liking kids. Well, I don't, but that doesn't mean I want to hurt them, I just don't want them in my vicinity. I prefer quiet and calm around me. And no worries, not intending to have them.
I like small dogs. As a child I was traumatized by a very aggressive German Shepard
Bad owners, I am so sorry. My childhood companion was a huge female German Shepherd. She kept the bees away, and the traveling salesmen in my rural area never got within 100 yards. Mom had her under voice commands. That dog was never aggressive towards children. Only dogs that ever bit me were under 30 lbs lol
Load More Replies...I LOVE dogs through the screen but when I come contact with a dog I want to run away and scream
This is very true. "What? You don't want a dog???" No I sure don't. "They should be allowed everywhere people are because they are no worse than kids"...no they shouldn't and yes they are. Everything and everyone has a place. Let's agree to disagree on that and move the hell on.
Wow, I’m not alone! Dachshunds can be nice, but mostly I really can’t stand dogs. When I tell this to someone for the first time, they always act like I’m Cruella DeVille! I’m not mean to dogs. I avoid them, and I will block my body/face with my arms to keeps them away (and prevent them from licking me as much as possible 🤮) until I can communicate to the owner that I don’t want to interact with the dog. I work hard to remain polite and calm, but sometimes my autism freaks out and I have a sensory overload meltdown. But I don’t hurt the dog! W.C. Fields said “Anyone who hates kids and dogs can’t be all bad.” I’ve always loved that quote. Possibly because I can’t stand children, either….
People acting like dogs are wonderful and everyone should like their smelly, drooling, sniffling animal that licks its ass and eats literal poop off the ground. There is nothing wrong with disliking dogs or any animal really, everyone has different preferences. You know who really loved dogs and were great defenders of humane services and had many dogs....Hitler and the Nazis. I'm sure their dogs loved them, but dOgS cAn TeLl wHeN yOu'Re a gOoD pErsOn......yeah sure they can.
Dogs are pretty bad about judging character of their owners. You could kixk them and hurt them every day and they would still love you and never voluntarily leave. Like small children, actually, who just want their parents to love them even if their parents are shitty people.
Load More Replies...People who hate dogs get so much hate from dog lovers but cat people aren't allowed to get upset when people hate cats (which is more common) and that's even more stupid... Cats don't deserve a double standard 😭
I once had a fallout with my friends because he tried to convince be to have a bond because "they are able to bond and befriend you so much" and I was like "b***h, I don't like the panting, money sucking, pooping 4 legged canine. I don't care if you have one, I just don't want one".
Ironically, most people who will berate you for not liking dogs, will talk s**t about cats like it's no big deal...
I don't mind anyone not liking any animal in particular, just as long as they aren't abusive or anything to them. The thing I hate are typically the owners! I would vastly enjoy a dog's company more if the owners were actually cognizant of wtf they were doing with their dogs and trained them to not jump all over everyone, not beg, not bark at every little thing, and so on.
Or being terrified of dogs but still loving them, no one seems to understand that I don't hate dogs, I'm just scared of them.
I don't like em much but they are sometimes cute. Wouldn't have one though.
I only like dogs that are well trained and behaved. I hate dogs whose owners just let them do whatever they want which always includes barking their heads off and jumping on everyone. Sadly 99% of dogs I have encountered are in the second group.
Absolutely! I'm not allowed to have a preference because YOU love dogs? Hah!
Sometimes it's even worse with cats... for some people you are by definition an evil person if you don't adore them.
I really relate to this. I have had a traumatic experience involving dogs and though I'm not afraid of them now, I just feel sort of uncomfortable around them. But people expect me to pat their dogs or make a comment about how cute they are, or even smile at them when they come up to me out of nowhere and scare me. That doesn't make me mean or cold, I just don't really like them but I can't say that to anyone without being accused of not being an animal lover, or being told they aren't that bad. They aren't bad, I'm just not a dog person, and I'd appreciate it if people stopped trying to force me to become one
So what if you don't like dogs or pets in general, it's so much better to just not want pets and not want to Interact with them, than people who use animals as a decoration, conversation piece, neglecting or fighting or breeding for money
I have this problem with people (usually family) all the time. I don't "hate" animals, I just don't want pets. That's a huge difference. I'm OCD and the thought of pet hair in my home grosses me out.
I had a traumatic experience with a german shepard as a kid. I'm not a fan of big dogs.
I don't enjoy a lot of the yippy toy breeds, but so long as they'rd not allowed to jump on me, or these owners who let their dogs roam on their 12-ft leash while in checkout lines, with a, 'Don't ya just looooove my cute widdle Pookie?" as it's slobbing all over mee... Maybe I should drag my 150 lb german shepherd everywhere too (he loves to jump and gush lovingly on anybody willing to love him back, and even those who don't)...
As a total dog obsessed person, I think the issue is we cannot wrap our brains around how someone couldn't like dogs. I get not being able to have one (though I'd go crazy), but not liking them? But yeah, people do have valid reasons, but I think you're missing out,!😁
It's all good unless dogs don't like you.... Never trust someone the dog doesn't like.
This is fine... But if my dog doesn't like you I probably won't like you either.
I grew up with cats and love them. Dogs are smelly. Pups are adorable though. If pple dont like animals in general, I mistrust them a little, but I dont care what animal you prefer.
I like well trained, non-stinky, quiet, not aggressively friendly dogs that get along with smaller animals well (aka, won't chase or kill anything). So i guess i don't like 90% of dogs?
If your not a fan of dogs that's alright, as long as you don't be mean to them.
I’m terrified of big dogs because a past friend of mine was attacked by a big dog but I’M the “closed-minded dog hater who can’t be trusted”. Right. Like if you’re not gonna be friends with me because I don’t like dogs, I dodged a bullet.
as long as you aren't a b***h about it and act like your getting death threats for it (yes ive met a few people who were like that) i couldn't care less wether or not you like dogs.
Knew a guy didn't think he liked dogs until he bought his girlfriend a pup... ended up being his dog. I think dogs scared him because he never had pets growing up.
Watching ppl bypass & nearly cringe at your dog - but no one fears the Ahole with the TRUMP WON sticker in his truck window (much more volatile than my dog)
Not liking anything is fine. But it's when people go on and on about how much they don't like the thing or even hate it and how it's so bad and everyone should hate it too. I've never met a person who just didn't like dogs, I've only met people who were hard core anti-dog and proud about it.
this. i'm getting better about this, but i used to be deathly afraid of dogs because my cousin (who was super mean to me and basically traumatized me but i'm not gonna get into that rn) had this big german shepard that chased after me. i'm getting better about i but i'm still not super excited about dogs like most people seem to be.
Not liking them is fine. Harming them or visiting someone who has dogs and complain about them is not.
I feel the same way about cats. I'm allergic and I just don't like them, and some people get horribly offended or weirded out by that.
I would rather be around a person who didn't like dogs than a person who dogs didn't like.
Pets is like dating, I super appreciate dogs for being joyful, friendly, smart and all, but they're not my type. I'm a rabbit person.
meehhh.. you can prefer cats or ducks or whatever to dogs.. but people who don't want dogs in their space or even in public psaces are generally not nice.. was in hotel where they accepted dogs and I never travel without my doggy! went to the restaurant which in Switzerland is perfectly fine.. old grumpy couple 5 tables away asked the waiter to put us outside! let me tell you THEY left!! so yes people who do no like dogs are weird and suspicious.
People with allergies, people with actual support dogs... the ones trained to behave and not interact while working... people, including small children, with phobias. Terrible, awful people. But you're super nice and not judgemental and presumptive at all.
Load More Replies...I 100% do not trust people that don't like dogs. Don't come at me with your "but I was traumatized" cause I can beat your story. People are far scarier than dogs and if I have to choose between a human or a dog or really any animal... animal every single time.
And that's how you think. People are traumatized by dogs, and other animals. It's a real thing, and you should really look into it if you don't want to make a full of yourself.
Load More Replies...I believe it's an evolutionary thing that is currently changing. We as humans are physiologically affected by small cuteness so that we care for our own offspring empathy and compassion happen. Anthropomorphizing an animal then leads to the same result, interestingly aggression also increases with these stimulation. There are too many factors that can be affecting this but I have also noticed more people likings things outside of cute and cuddly or helpless. Brilliant and wonderful people
Load More Replies...Having fun at work. Your boss walks around the corner and everybody scatters in the most totally not suspicious way.
Bringing reusable grocery bags to a different grocery store than the one the bags are branded as.
I feel completely the opposite - I am always worried that they will ask me to pay for it again if I use it in the shop it came from. No problem with one from another store :).
Using the other genders bathroom when yours is occupied
Card counting in a casino. It’s totally legal within the law, but the security and management will make you feel like a criminal for doing it.
They would be banning you from doing math in your own head, right? Loads of dystopian sci fi novels tell me that's "thought policing."
Purchasing an item with no bag, and leaving the shop with it under your arm
Watching a video on your phone at full volume in a public place, I've done this a few times on accident and I wanted to crawl out of my skin and [pass away].
Taking time off work always feels illegal. Even if it's paid time off I've earned.
The first time driving a car after you've got your license
I have my licence for more than 28 years now and it STILL feels weird.
My dad had a tendency to go to a store and eat and drink off the shelves. Then go pay for the wrapper at the end. Always thought we'd get arrested for that.
This technically is actually illegal. Until you pay for the goods, you do not own them and the shop owner/manager has the right to withdraw any goods from sale. By eating or drinking the produce before you pay for them you are taking away the owner/manager's right to exercise control of their goods.
Walking into a store with a mask on, your hood up, all with sunglasses
This is not illegal but it is shady, First the mask thing is nothing, everyone is wearing or not wearing masks right now, However when you walk into a store with your hood up and sunglasses on inside a store it possibly could put the staff on notice that you - might - be there to steal. I know it's not fair but they don't know you, they've never met you so they have to go with their instincts.
Going to a concert after covid. After the last 2 years of avoiding crowds and people it just feels wrong.
Getting a haircut from someone other than your regular hairdresser
Leaving the office on time
Pulling your pants down when you have 2 pairs of pants
Note: this post originally had 50 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.
Changing your daughter's diaper on the front seat of your truck in winter at a gas station feels like child abuse even though the men's room doesn't have a place to do that.
Trust me, it’s much cleaner doing that in the car. Public bathrooms are no places to change a child.
Load More Replies...Being handicapped and needing to exercise your “head of the line” privilege, or any other accommodation, always feels very illegal to me. I try really hard to not be that person, but sometimes my pain is just too much and I need to get my stuff done fast. The dirty looks people give (even the employees) are enough to make me want to never leave my house again.
You can always go in front of me. My mother is disabled and she is treated awfully for needing a mobility scooter or help in the store or using services that are available to her. It is almost to the point that she would rather stay home and have me go. I like to take her with me so she gets out of the house (plus we have a good time) and I make people feel bad if they make her feel bad. You don't owe anyone an explanation for using the services you need and you can have my place in line.
Load More Replies...When you go and check somebody’s profile on this site or others and go check their old posts
Yeah it feels like stalking or snooping through someones private information.
Load More Replies...Knew someone who said her foster parents told her it was illegal for women not to wear a bra.
Wow, I can relate to that. My mother got me to wear one when I had absolutely nothing to show (at the time). Same mentality.
Load More Replies...Buying a shirt at a store and then wearing that shirt to the same store the same week.
When your parents tell you you can do something while their gone I always feel like a criminal doing like did I hear them wrong and im gonna get in trouble?
I know right? My parents tell me to eat whatever and when I touch the snacks that are meant to be eaten once in a while I feel so nervous
Load More Replies...Feeling guilty at leaving a bad marriage because of what job he had, using cloth diapers when everyone else didn't, marrying my soul mate because I got a 2nd chance at love. The list is longer but someone pointed those out to me specifically as to not feel guilty. It's hard but I've done it; working on the list.
Because of the job? Why, what was wrong with it?
Load More Replies...Being 39 and pregnant. I'm sorry me having a baby isn't what people expected. Honestly neither did I but that's not the point. I'm happy to be blessed and if you're going to have a problem with that then I don't want you to be a part of my life!
Years ago, I left the eye doctor after having my eyes dilated. I entered a grocery store wearing my sunglasses. A customer approached and loudly berated me for wearing shades indoors. Some people!
LOL I know you can't but you should have taken them off that person would have backed the hell off in .2 seconds once they saw your huuuuuuge pupillsss @.@
Load More Replies...being religious, being vegan, being a human, liking modern music. if you are any of these, you will constantly be shamed online
Or being NON-Religious, or just simply being a "white male"
Load More Replies...Eating/drinking anything from the food court/ in store restaurant while walking around the store. Going into a mall business with a drink you bought at the food court. I had a friend with 3 kids who didn't have time to shop and cook dinner, or even sit in a restaurant because one parent was in the hospital and the other was sick. She bought fries and chicken nuggets at the McDonald's in Walmart, dropped them into the fast food bag, and the kids just walked around with her and pulled out food as they were hungry. Technically creative and genius solution. Felt so weird and illegal and borderline trashy. But I guess you just do what you got to do.
I use reusable grocery shopping bags and the first time using them it felt wrong. Like they would think I was stealing. Especially because there are no cashiers so it's all self check. And then I got stopped at the door and they emptied all the bags and checked my receipt. Took 30min. My ice cream melted.
Wait until you use the reusable bags as a market basket before purchase. That really feels illegal.
Load More Replies...These are all such bad examples. Things that legitimately feel illegal within tax code, law, etc should be widely know lest they never be fixed via regulation
Changing your daughter's diaper on the front seat of your truck in winter at a gas station feels like child abuse even though the men's room doesn't have a place to do that.
Trust me, it’s much cleaner doing that in the car. Public bathrooms are no places to change a child.
Load More Replies...Being handicapped and needing to exercise your “head of the line” privilege, or any other accommodation, always feels very illegal to me. I try really hard to not be that person, but sometimes my pain is just too much and I need to get my stuff done fast. The dirty looks people give (even the employees) are enough to make me want to never leave my house again.
You can always go in front of me. My mother is disabled and she is treated awfully for needing a mobility scooter or help in the store or using services that are available to her. It is almost to the point that she would rather stay home and have me go. I like to take her with me so she gets out of the house (plus we have a good time) and I make people feel bad if they make her feel bad. You don't owe anyone an explanation for using the services you need and you can have my place in line.
Load More Replies...When you go and check somebody’s profile on this site or others and go check their old posts
Yeah it feels like stalking or snooping through someones private information.
Load More Replies...Knew someone who said her foster parents told her it was illegal for women not to wear a bra.
Wow, I can relate to that. My mother got me to wear one when I had absolutely nothing to show (at the time). Same mentality.
Load More Replies...Buying a shirt at a store and then wearing that shirt to the same store the same week.
When your parents tell you you can do something while their gone I always feel like a criminal doing like did I hear them wrong and im gonna get in trouble?
I know right? My parents tell me to eat whatever and when I touch the snacks that are meant to be eaten once in a while I feel so nervous
Load More Replies...Feeling guilty at leaving a bad marriage because of what job he had, using cloth diapers when everyone else didn't, marrying my soul mate because I got a 2nd chance at love. The list is longer but someone pointed those out to me specifically as to not feel guilty. It's hard but I've done it; working on the list.
Because of the job? Why, what was wrong with it?
Load More Replies...Being 39 and pregnant. I'm sorry me having a baby isn't what people expected. Honestly neither did I but that's not the point. I'm happy to be blessed and if you're going to have a problem with that then I don't want you to be a part of my life!
Years ago, I left the eye doctor after having my eyes dilated. I entered a grocery store wearing my sunglasses. A customer approached and loudly berated me for wearing shades indoors. Some people!
LOL I know you can't but you should have taken them off that person would have backed the hell off in .2 seconds once they saw your huuuuuuge pupillsss @.@
Load More Replies...being religious, being vegan, being a human, liking modern music. if you are any of these, you will constantly be shamed online
Or being NON-Religious, or just simply being a "white male"
Load More Replies...Eating/drinking anything from the food court/ in store restaurant while walking around the store. Going into a mall business with a drink you bought at the food court. I had a friend with 3 kids who didn't have time to shop and cook dinner, or even sit in a restaurant because one parent was in the hospital and the other was sick. She bought fries and chicken nuggets at the McDonald's in Walmart, dropped them into the fast food bag, and the kids just walked around with her and pulled out food as they were hungry. Technically creative and genius solution. Felt so weird and illegal and borderline trashy. But I guess you just do what you got to do.
I use reusable grocery shopping bags and the first time using them it felt wrong. Like they would think I was stealing. Especially because there are no cashiers so it's all self check. And then I got stopped at the door and they emptied all the bags and checked my receipt. Took 30min. My ice cream melted.
Wait until you use the reusable bags as a market basket before purchase. That really feels illegal.
Load More Replies...These are all such bad examples. Things that legitimately feel illegal within tax code, law, etc should be widely know lest they never be fixed via regulation