Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

People Share The One Rule Of Etiquette They Always Follow

People Share The One Rule Of Etiquette They Always Follow
Image by Terri Cnudde from Pixabay

The rules of society. That is something that is engrained in all of us from the time we're children.

Act proper, be respectable, be ready to present in public. What does all of that even mean?

And why do we still care what Emily Post thinks in 2021?! Etiquette is a lost art form for sure. It used to be the earmarkings of good breeding. Now... its just dull.

But... still essential. Ahh, the cultural divide.

Redditor u/rubber_duck_of_death wanted to hear how to our best selves, especially in public by asking:

Reddit, what is one rule/etiquette that you always follow?

Let's chat about how we make the best impressions and why the heck do we care. It all ties together, so we really should find a way to make it all work. Start with the basics...

Going Up?

Meryl Streep Sunglasses GIF by 20th Century Fox Home EntertainmentGiphy

"Wait for people to exit the elevator before getting into the freaking elevator."

- PomegranateDust

Kindness...

"I always say "Thank you"- "Please" and "Excuse me"- I just got so used to saying it it just comes out of my mouth without me even noticing."

- WaveCandid906

"I once was in high school and tried to squeeze past someone and hit my shoulder on my locker. Without thinking, I literally said "sorry" to my locker bc I was so used to saying it whenever I bumped into someone."

- jimhalpertmeetschris

Trashed

"Keep my trash on me when I'm out until I find a garbage bin. I never throw anything on the ground."

- Yankthebandaid

"I find it very hard to believe that people don't put their trash in their pockets until they find a trash can. Why do people throw trash in the streets anyway?"

- Salty-Tortoise

Eat Quiet!

"Eat your mouth closed and let people finish when they're talking."

- drDjausdr

"I was constantly having to raise my voice in conversation to let the person interrupting me know I'm not finished. I've stopped because they don't actually learn, but a really petty part of me just stops engaging as well because they obviously don't actually care for what I have to say."

- InterestingPseudonym

be common

charlie brown thanksgiving GIF by PeanutsGiphy

"Common decency. Say thank you to simple gestures, it's not hard but a lot of people have lost the ability to be kind and/or polite."

- chevinlavee

Why would anyone need to be taught these things. These rules always apply. Basic human decency should always be obvious and apply.

Cleanliness...

Wash Hands Nicksplat GIF by Hey ArnoldGiphy

" Wash your hands after using the toilet. It pains me that people need to be told this."

- modfather84

LIVE!!!

"I remember my grandpa reading about gays or atheists or hippies and he'd say, "Oh, well - live and let live." Live and let live."

- p38-lightning

"Oh dear God, decent people do exist. Almost none of my family members seem to understand this for some reason, always judging and talking crap about others and their choices. Your grandpa sounds like the best."

- Xander_Ich

Things That Are Normal Where You Live But Crazy Anywhere Else | George Takei’s Oh Myyy

Operator?

"The person at the other end of your phone call is not responsible for your problem and will most likely help you if you are nice to her rather than yelling at her."

- ToineMP

"This. So much this. I've been in food for so long, that I can tell you, don't be a do**he and we will go out of our way to help you."

- mregg000

basic decency...

"Return your damn shopping cart."

- boobiehug

"I do this out of basic principle, sure there are people who have the job of it, but that is just rude to me. it's like leaving your table a freaking pigsty at a restaurant, especially if they are busy, or leaving items all over a store because your too lazy to put it back where it goes. Unless you have a valid excuse, it doesn't take that long."

- BansheeTK

While Shopping

give me christmas GIF by TargetGiphy

"Keep my grocery cart on one side of an aisle while shopping instead of blocking the whole monkey fluffin' aisle so no one can get through."

- Jillette12

Shop kind, shop smart. That is a big one for me, especially in New York. Etiquette is easy if we apply it as just common kindness and basic, decent behavior. Is that really hard? Let's try...

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

More from Trending/best-of-reddit

Dolly Parton
Jason Kempin/Getty Images

Dolly Parton Shares Bittersweet Update After Having To Cancel Vegas Residency Due To Health Issues

Last year, Dolly Parton's Las Vegas residency had to be put on hold while she dealt with several private health issues.

Her sister, Freida, accidentally caused a stir when asking online for prayers for Dolly while she got her health sorted out. The singer came online and said that she was fine, responsibly addressing her health concerns, and would follow through with her residency soon, setting everyone's minds at ease.

Keep ReadingShow less
Elon Musk Just Revealed His New Net Worth Goal After Hitting $800 Billion—And The Greed Is Off The Charts
Elon Musk Ripped After Setting Net Worth Goal To $10 Trillion

Elon Musk Just Revealed His New Net Worth Goal After Hitting $800 Billion—And The Greed Is Off The Charts

If you're wondering if there's an amount of money that would ever be "enough" for gazillionaire sociopath Elon Musk, the answer is apparently no.

He's already the world's richest man, with his net worth surpassing $800 billion in February after his company SpaceX acquired xAI earlier this year

Keep ReadingShow less
Donald Trump
Meidas Touch Network

Trump Just Tried To Impress Some Kids With His Putting Skills At A White House Physical Fitness Event—And It Went Hilariously Awry

MAGA Republican President Donald Trump signed a memo at the White House on Tuesday, reinstating the Presidential Fitness Test Award.

Seated at the C&O Desk—Trump removed the Resolute Desk in February of 2025 for some "light refinishing"—in the Oval Office, the POTUS was flanked by schoolchildren, professional athletes, and members of his cabinet during the event to mark National Youth Sports and Fitness Month.

Keep ReadingShow less
Chuck Schumer; Donald Trump
Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images; Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

Chuck Schumer Claps Back Hard After White House Shades Him With Racist Cinco De Mayo Meme

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer responded after the White House marked Cinco de Mayo on Tuesday by sharing a racist AI-generated meme of him and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries celebrating the holiday.

In the image, the two men are depicted seated at a table near the border, wearing sombreros and raising margaritas in a toast, with a sign placed in front of them that reads: “I LOVE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.”

Keep ReadingShow less
Kid Cudi (left) removed M.I.A. (right) from his Rebel Ragers Tour following backlash over her onstage remarks.
Joseph Okpako/WireImage via Getty Images; Gilbert Carrasquillo/Getty Images

Rapper Kid Cudi Fires M.I.A. From His Tour After Her Rant About 'Illegals' Draws Instant Backlash

If M.I.A. was hoping for attention, she got it—just not the kind that comes with a tour slot. Following backlash over her rant about “illegals,” Kid Cudi made it clear he’s not co-signing the controversy, dropping her from his Rebel Ragers Tour with zero hesitation.

It all went down on May 2 at Dos Equis Pavilion in Dallas, where fans captured the British rapper in a monologue that quickly went viral online.

Keep ReadingShow less