People Share The Unwritten Rules That Everyone Should Follow

People Share The Unwritten Rules That Everyone Should Follow
Image by Free-Photos from Pixabay

There's no need to be a jerk.

You might not intentionally think you're being a jerk to someone, but if you're not aware of your surroundings, only focused on yourself, then you might be someone's jerk for that day. Just keep your head up, eyes on your surroundings, and realize there's other people in the world.
Thankfully, the internet has provided a wonderful list of unspoken rules we should all be following to help keep us out of each other's way.

Reddit user, u/CellSaga21, wanted to hear what we should all already know when they asked:

What's an unwritten rule everyone should know, but doesn't?

Out in public? Around other people? Give them space, let them off the bus first, and for the love of all that is holy, keep your phone to yourself.

Wait To Get On

"Let people get off the bus/train before entering"

ChaosBringer7

"And elevators."

Alittlesoftinside

"NCIS SSA Leroy Jethro Gibbs' Rule 62: "Leave room for someone exiting the elevator.", I think quoting a rule from NCIS fits perfectly in here"

Samantha_K_S_S

HEY! CAN YOU HEAR ME?!

"Do not use speakerphone on a call in public"

trevorda92

"Or voicemail. Worked in an office and every morning the woman in the cubicle next to me played her voicemails full-blast. I rarely could focus on my own stuff"

sapphirerises

"Or FaceTime???? Why do I see so many people FaceTiming in confined public spaces?!?"

EastSeaweed

...*inches closer

"Don't touch me or stand so close to me that I can feel you breathing if I don't know you!"

"Seems so simple, but so many people are disrespectful of personal space."

unicorn_hugz

"To add onto this: in checkout lanes, GET OFF MY BACK. What do you hope to accomplish by standing .3 feet from me as I check out?"

eschuylerhamilton

Most of these behavioral practices, at their core, are there to teach you to not be a jerk. We're all out there trying to do our best, the last thing we want to have to is waiting behind someone who doesn't know how to merge properly.

Leave It On The Screen

"When I show you a picture on my phone, DONT GO SWIPING SIDEWAYS!! this is something that people do that drives me nuts. Like, privacy is a thing..."

Spyder_webb74

"Tip: Before handing them your phone, zoom in ever so slightly on the picture. That way if they swipe left or right it'll just move the picture around."

DoubleDeckerz

Follow The Rules And Just Merge Already!

"Don't break rules of traffic in an attempt to be courteous to other drivers. It often just makes situations more confusing and stressful than necessary. Just obeying the regular rules is far more appreciated."

tovethedog

"In my neighborhood people try to be too nice at four way stops."

"You have waved through three people, it's your f-cking turn, JUST GO."

AffectionateEdge3068

"Don't speed up when someone is passing you."

steenj

"Someone did this to me the other day... They were going 55 in a 65, so I decided to pass. The m***fers.. SPED UP TO 90. I didn't have time at that point to slow down and get back behind them as cars were coming so I floored it and got around. I was furious. It was incredibly stupid and dangerous, I drive that road everyday for work, and these stupid people just don't want a car to pass them."

MeowlySquid

It's The Absolute Bare Minimum

"For the love of God, just return the shopping cart when you're done with it"

urwaterispoisoned

"Years ago i saw a post about the shopping cart theory. The act of returning the shopping cart can determine a person's moral character. Doing the right thing without being forced and knowing that there is no punishment if you don't. It is so true and I make sure to always return the cart!"

ally_vt

If you so choose to follow these rules, to help keep society a civil place, then you'll find less awkward interactions with people.

Ignore them and, well, you'll have to wait to see the negative outcomes.

Just Don't. DON'T.

"Do not ask a woman if she is pregnant. Ever."

e36

"I always kinda thought this was a joke and not really something to be offended by. Then it happened to me. Just after I had lost a shit load of weight. It sounds stupid but it genuinely devastated me"

Pirateclayton92

It's Nerve-Wracking, But Just Do It

"Always tell a girl if she's bled through on her period. Edit: thanks for the awards!"

That_shy_kid12

"Discretely"

Mermaids_tatertots

"I'm a girl, and even I was kind of nervous about telling my one coworker she was bleeding. I told her anyway and she was super thankful! Thankfully we had hydrogen-peroxide in the restroom and she was able to get herself cleaned up. The stuff is a lifesaver when it comes to cleaning fresh blood off clothes (coming from me, a woman and also suffers from nosebleeds)."

robo-dragon

Leave It Alone

"Don't touch a disabled person's mobility aids with out being specifically asked to do so by the person. Wheelchair, scooter, cane, dog, walker, whatever they are using don't touch it unless they ASK you to. View it as a stranger trying to touch your legs, do you want rando to pick up your leg? Move your leg? Pet your leg? Probably not."

arpsazombie

We're all trying to do our best. No need to be a jerk.

Want to "know" more? Never miss another big, odd, funny, or heartbreaking moment again. Sign up for the Knowable newsletter here.

People Share The Real Reason They Cut A Friend Out Of Their Life For Good

One woman refuses to look another in the face, so she puts her hand up between them
Obie Fernandez on Unsplash

When you gotta go, you go.

That should be a mantra for getting rid of the toxic people in our lives.

Not every relationship is meant to last forever.

Some people don't know how to be friends.

They are awfully good at pretending though.

Be vigilant of the signs and red flags.

Toxic people are crafty.

And once you're free, never look back.

Keep reading...Show less
friends

People Who've Attended A Wedding Where Someone Actually Objected Share Their Experiences

Decorative wedding sign that reads, "Eat, Drink, and Be Married"
Photo by Ben Rosett on Unsplash

There's nothing quite like the drama that can arise at a wedding or in the days leading up to it.

But the moment people don't necessarily think about is the moment when the audience can choose to object if they so choose, and surprisingly, some people take advantage of this opportunity. It often doesn't go well.

Keep reading...Show less
objections at wedding

People Imagine How They'd Spend An Extra $1K Every Month

Person holding up multiple $100 U.S. dollar bills
Photo by Jp Valery on Unsplash

Financially speaking, most of us could benefit greatly from having extra money each month.

But where someone might assume that the extra money would just be wasted, most people would apply these funds to very practical purposes and expenditures.

Keep reading...Show less
money matters

People Share The Real Reason Behind Their Last Breakup

Paper ripping in two
Kelly Sikkema/Unsplash

When love is on the rocks and there's no salvaging a relationship, it's better for a couple to call it splits.

Sometimes the reason for a breakup is obvious.

Other times, it's more complicated.

But the people involved going their separate ways is better than staying in an unhealthy relationship.

Keep reading...Show less
relationships