People Divulge Which Things Are Considered Socially Unacceptable That Shouldn't Be
Life is full of social situations, and social situations call for certain rules of behavior. Professional dinners require professional clothing, in retail, the customer is always right, and when you're with other people, you should be bubbly and outgoing, not quiet and reserved.
The thing is, some of these rules and behaviors are ridiculous, and just stress people out.
There are plenty of behaviors that aren't considered socially acceptable, but should be.
Redditor Ninja_Man_0722 agrees, because they asked:
"What is something that is considered socially unacceptable, however honestly shouldn't be?"
Death Is Not Happening
"Dying."
"Tell folks you’re dying and they’ll find ways to pretend that you’re not. It’s weird."
– relentlessvisions
"Man, I still remember when I was like 22, my cousin asked if he could come see me, and I said sure come on over at like 2. I was so excited for him to come over, I bought snacks and beer, and set up both my xboxes and tv's in the living room so we could hang out and game."
"He showed up and he explained he's having a hard time because his biological dad OD'd and it was up to him as next of kin to decide whether to pull the plug. My cousin didn't even know the man. He was absent from his life since before day one."
"I didn't know what to do, so I offered him some Dorito's and a controller."
"I still panic thinking about the fact that he came to me for help and I just shut down."
– TitularFoil
Maybe I Just Don't Want A Drink
"In my country (especially on the island I am from) it is considered an offend by most people when you refuse the drink they offer you."
"It doesn't matter if you have to drive (and it's obviously illegal to drink and drive) or already feel drunk and don't want to drink any more."
"This shouldn't be a thing... People should respect others when they wish to stay sober."
"Me and my husband have found a way around it though. We always carry a pack of medicine and whenever someone tries to pressure us into drinking we show it and be say "sorry, I am on medication for my tooth and it shouldn't be mixed with alcohol". That seems to do the trick... (it's a good excuse if any of you people need to avoid drinking, that's why I am sharing it, sorry if it's off topic)"
– aniacret
Rude Does Not Equal Right
"Calling customers out on poor behaviour."
– lasteclipse
"I got fired for this last year after I had had it from all older customers berating me after the holidays"
– that1senpai2
"Fr. They gotta make some kind of law that states that service staff cant be fired for standing up for themselves and not taking sh*t from customers"
– HXD-Inferno
Isn't Honesty The Best Policy?
"Telling someone you don’t want to go or do something without making up an excuse. We all sometimes just “don’t feel like it.” That is ok!!!
EDIT: Woah… glad so many of you can relate. And of course, thank you everyone for the awards!"
– mostlymitia
"Or leaving a function when you feel like it."
"I was wing-woman on a double date with my friend and two guys I couldn’t have been less interested in. We did dinner and then ended up at a bar. I said I was leaving and they protested but I left anyway. My girlfriend texted me after saying “I had to lie and say you didn’t feel well”. Like why? We’d been together for hours by that point and I wanted to leave. It’s that simple!"
– SnoopsMom
Date Me Because...
"Being honest about your intentions while dating"
– V00D00420
"This one blows my mind. People I would otherwise respect will lie, pressure or coerce the opposite sex in order to get laid and then laugh it off like it was the other parties fault for making it out to be such a big deal. When I've brought this up with friends as "not cool" it just makes people uncomfortable and I am told to lighten up."
– CommonRedditUserName
"“I’m looking for companionship but I’m okay with sex on the first date or even a one night stand, I’ll just get that out in the open. But if I’m with you, then I’m with only you.”"
– This_Personality3731
You Don't HAVE To Ask
"Hi, how are you?"
"I'm tired as sin and my back hurts."
"Oh, uh, ok."
"Like, don't ask if you're not ready for an honest answer. When I ask someone what's up, and they say for example, that they are sad. I'll then ask them if they need any help. Yet when I give an answer that isn't the same old stupid song and dance, I'm looked at like I just said I want to rub peanut butter on mailboxes."
– P51VoxelTanker
Working, Not Playing
"Treating work like just work. I like my work and get along great with my colleagues - at work. But I just don’t want to go out for drinks afterwards, have team events, Christmas parties and whatever. Work. Get paid. Have life outside of work with other people."
"To be clear, I don’t want to cancel social events at work. I just want them becoming very explicitly optional, with no weird looks for not attending."
– autokiller677
"To piggyback, mandatory work potlucks and now you have to go buy groceries to make extra to feed people you don’t care about. Or you’re not a team player. I just want to eat my sandwich in my car okay"
– squincherella
"“But we’re a family!”" 🤢
– FuzzballLogic
Oh, My Aching Legs
"Staff sitting down while on the job (like cashiers)."
"I know this is generally a North American thing, but "socially acceptable" isn't generally something globally universal."
– oakteaphone
"I’m a cashier and let me tell you, it’s mentally draining. Also, what about people who work in an office? Writers? Receptionists? There are plenty of sit down jobs."
– BlondieChelle83
It's Just Sharing Information
"Discussing salaries / finances. Such a ridiculous taboo. If people knew how little or how much their peers make, employers would have a much tougher time lowballing salaries or offering poverty level wages. It (theoretically) eliminate the whole “keeping up with the Jones’s” mentality, as well. If you’re not trying to one up everyone, it would be less likely to live beyond your means."
– StupidOldAndFat
Me, Myself, & I
"Going to movies/ concerts/ sporting events/ restaurants/ etc alone."
"You should be able to go out and enjoy things without needing friends/ someone else to be there with you."
– giantsninerswarriors
"Especially movies? Why do you need someone to join you to sit in silence and watch a film? That taboo never made sense to me"
– ohm18
I'm in full agreement with that last one. I go to diners and movies by myself all the time. Me time is the best time!
People Share Which Unspoken Social Rules Could Use A Refresher Course
people... you're not at home. pull it together.
People.... when eyes are upon us... pull it together. Yes we all need to be ourselves, no matter who is in company but let's exercise a slight amount of decorum. Let's at least try, or let's at least try to be cognizant of others in our surroundings. It's so simple, so human. Try. For me. For us all. Thank you.
Redditor u/ItsTreDay wanted discuss the behaviors when amongst proper society by asking..... What's an unspoken social rule that you feel people need to be reminded about?
Just Stop.
GiphyI don't care if it's the road, the sidewalk, the grocery store aisle or a hiking trail through the mountains: if you're going to stop, pull over. autoposting_system
Just be Curtious....
If you can't make it, give a little common courtesy and let them know ahead of time. th3_warth0g
I have patients not turn up for their appointments all the time. So frustrating. Someone else could have had that appointment time. I've made the stuff up for the test and now it's wasted. Some are sick and I get it, but call! Even if it's 10 mins before you are suppose to be there. I could have gone and got a coffee instead of standing around waiting for you. Eevee027
I came here to say this!!
Wait for people to get OFF the elevator before you bum rush your way on!!! Funke-munke
I came here to say this. I work on elevators, so I take them constantly. Even in hospitals and courthouses where you'd expect manners to be acknowledged, people bum rush the doors. It's not going anywhere people. If the doors begin to close, wave your hand. If it's too close and you don't feel comfortable, press the hall call button again. The car doors will open even if they have closed (unless it's moving,) but they're typically going to stay open 4 seconds at least. eatmoarpotatos
Be Well...
Only because it's someone's job doesn't mean you shouldn't say thank you. the_onetrueking
This one time the dude that was bagging my groceries said "I'm doing my job don't say thank you" right as i was opening my mouth to thank him so i said "thank you for doing your job well" and felt super smooth. thwinks
No Touch.
GiphyIf you live with roommates, don't touch/move/eat anything that isn't yours without permission. ZidaneTilAlexandros
Unless they leave their clothes in the dryer for more than a few hours, then you burn them. Ps- am a student can confirm this is proper etiquette. Funnybot9980
Side by Side....
If you're walking down a hall side by side, be aware of your surroundings so you don't block people moving faster behind you. CIA_grade_LSD
This goes for anywhere frankly. Just be aware of your surroundings in general. especiallythegrocerystore!!! IAMG222
"one second, I have a question"
Your phone should always be on mute on conference calls unless you're actively engaged in the conversation. Always. maybelying
Better test case: Something people could be reasonable expected to respond to, like "one second, I have a question" rather than something they might politely ignore. (Nothing wrong with how you're doing it, just sympathetic anxiety on my part about whether or not it's on mute for that.) Ficulinean
Silence Please.
Some people like to be left alone whilst on their work break. Perhaps have brought headphones, are enjoying food or reading something.
They're using their 15, 30 or however many minutes to briefly get away from work, that includes you, potentially annoying coworker. amiilia
Don't stop for a conversation at the top/bottom of an escalator. doradiamond
I had to shove a woman out of the way because her and her friend stopped right at the top to look in her handbag.
There were people behind me and I didn't have a choice. She didn't get why stopping at the top was so dangerous and yelled at me for it 🤷♀️. Reddit