Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

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.

More from Trending/best-of-reddit

Donald Trump holding World Cup
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Trump Makes Eyeroll-Worthy Request After Getting To Hold 2026 World Cup Trophy—And It's Peak Trump

President Donald Trump was a little too eager to keep the FIFA World Cup trophy to himself after being allowed to hold it in the White House.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino presented Trump with the trophy during an Oval Office press conference Friday, where the two also announced that the draw for the 2026 World Cup—to be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico—will take place on December 5.

Keep ReadingShow less
Donald Trump
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Trump Just Said The Quiet Part Out Loud About His Militarization Of U.S. Cities With Remark About 'Dictators'

President Donald Trump was criticized for a brazen claim that Americans would actually "like a dictator" before assuring reporters that he's not one in an attempt to justify his use of military troops as part of his nationwide crime crackdown that saw him most recently put boots on the ground in Washington, D.C.

Trump—who is currently planning to send troops into Chicago—said:

Keep ReadingShow less
Nancy Mace
Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

Nancy Mace Blasted After Falsely Accusing Student With Umbrella Of Being Active School Shooter

South Carolina Republican Representative Nancy Mace was harshly criticized for not issuing an apology after spreading the image of an "active shooter" on the campus of the University of South Carolina in Columbia who turned out to be holding an umbrella.

The university lifted a shelter-in-place order Sunday after police found no evidence to support reports of an active shooter near the campus library.

Keep ReadingShow less
Picture of a traditional, American house. It is white with red trim and a green roof.
Photo by Scott Webb on Unsplash

People Divulge The Common Things That Were Banned At Home While Growing Up

When growing up with our parents, it's all about following the rules.

The House Rules, specifically, their rules!

Keep ReadingShow less
Daniel Dae Kim at the "Butterfly" New York Premiere held at Regal Union Square on August 05, 2025, in New York.
Nacion/Variety via Getty Images

Daniel Day Kim ignites debate on casting

Daniel Dae Kim has spent years quietly—sometimes loudly—dragging Hollywood for the double standards Asian American actors face. The Lost and Hawaii Five-0 alum sat down with PBS’ American Masters and was asked about ethnic-specific casting.

His answer? A masterclass in being gracious while also side-eyeing an entire industry.

Keep ReadingShow less