Kate Hackett
As someone who dated a man who did not know you have to clean out the lint drawer of a dryer, I think it’s pretty safe to say that there are a lot of “life rules” people don’t know. Things that might be obvious to me are wildly new to someone else.
Reddit user u/0_7_0 asked the Ask Reddit community:
“What is one ‘unwritten rule’ that you believe everyone should know and follow?”
And the thread quickly went viral. We combed through some of the best answers for you.
PS: clean out your lint drawer.
1. Borrow
If you borrow something, give it back in the same condition.
Or better. Like, if someone has lent you their car for a week, return it full of gas. Maybe roll it through a drive-thru wash. Probably still gonna run you much less than a rental would have (and you generally need to fill those up, too).
2. FFS, please
Don’t watch loud videos on your phone at a restaurant. Can’t believe this isn’t common curtesy anymore.
3. Stay there!
If I show you a picture on my phone, don’t go swiping sideways.
4. Stand back
Stand back before boarding a bus, subway, metro, or elevator so that those on can get off quickly without having have to wait for you to back up first.
5. Yup
Just because you know someone who does something for a living that doesn’t automatically mean they owe you a discount if you ask for their services.
6. Lights out
The last one to go to bed has to turn the light off.
7. Stay quiet
If someone can’t fix an aspect of their appearance in five minutes or less, don’t mention it.
8. Be on time
If someone is giving you a ride you should be ready at the door before they get there. It’s so rude to have someone waiting on you when they are doing you a favor by picking you up.
9. Stand back
PERSONAL SPACE (even when not in a pandemic)
10. Take the plunge
Buy a plunger before you need a plunger
11. Shh
If someone is wearing headphones and is clearly keeping to themselves, leave them the fuck alone!
12. I CANNOT AGREE HARD ENOUGH
If you want to go for a hike and listen to music, come with earphones or headphones. Don’t blast loud music.
13. Cart
Put the shopping cart back where it GOES!
14. Chill
When you have a complaint with a retail store or business, please remember that the person you are speaking too (or yelling at sadly) is just the one that happened to pick up the phone or is standing at the till. they likely have nothing to do with what went wrong and have little sway in what can be done to help. They dont need to be yelled and screamed at for something they did not do or is under the control of a corporate office/higher up.
15. Do the wave
The “wave” of thank you when someone lets you in while driving in traffic. Its just polite.
16. Other person paying
when someone else is paying the bill you shouldn’t order something very pricey (it’s understandable if something expensive is the only thing you are able to eat)
17. Your rights
One persons “rights” end where another persons “rights” begin…
18. Stop creeping
Don’t keep creeping up at a stop light in the left & middle lanes if you’re the first car in the lane. You don’t need to see the cross traffic while you wait for the light to switch. The person on the far right needs to creep enough to make sure it’s safe to make a right on red. The more you pull up in the left lanes, the more the person on the right does, increasing risk for everyone.
19. Litter
Don’t litter. Including cigarette butts. The world is not your damn dumpster.
20. Don’t ask
Don’t ask questions you don’t want to know the answers to.
