Society's Unwritten Rules

[sora wonk]

I've always wanted to make a list of all of society's unwritten rules, for example:

"Don't stare at other passengers when taking public transportation."

So, ED, do any or none of the following;

1. Please contribute any unwritten rules you've noticed and how you've noticed them. (I'll add those to the second post.)

2. Do you have any theories behind why certain rules exist?

3. Do you agree with/ approve of these rules?

4. How did society come to agree on these rules?

[sora wonk]

Big List of Unwritten Rules
You may dispute or refine any of these if you wish. I've bolded the ones I consider controversial or interesting.
The Real Rule #1: Respect the CH1YO
1. Don't stare at fellow commuters on public transportation.
2. Bro's before ho's / Chick's before d**k's. (by Halfelvish)
3. No sticking your tongue down someone's throat in public if you're in the way. (by Halfelvish)
4. Stand as far away as possible (pref. 2-3 feet) from other people in elevator. (by LaLaMeep)
5. Don't point at people. (by imblaine)
6. Never ask a girl how much she weighs. (by imblaine)
7. Don't hold up traffic in public areas. (by Socharis)
8. In Taiwan: Stand on the right side of an escalator, to let the people in a rush pass by quickly. (by Socharis)
9. Don't intrude into others' personal space. (by Socharis)
(Expanded on by Wilwarien: )
- In most situations, you may hug and touch friends' arms, but avoid face and head.
- Avoid touching torso, back is okay.
- Don't touch strangers' heads.
- Girls can touch each other more frequently than boys can.
(Le Hugenormous Awesome Section by mrs_chester_bennington (10-17), all refer to Australia with the exception of 17) :
10. Don't ask or speculate about a woman's age.
11. Men shouldn't drink out of straws.
12. When in the country, briefly wave at drivers who give way to you.
13. Don't hit girls.
14. Wearing just swimmers at the beach is acceptable but if you go somewhere else like a cafe you should put something more on. (Random note: Updike, A&P)
15. Flash your headlights to warn oncoming traffic of cops.
16. Don't go there with your friend's ex.
17. In Japan: Don't use someone's first name unless they give you permission.

18. Face the elevator door. (by taki-ziku-chiri)
19. Nice guys finish last. (by Valkyrie of Heaven)
20. You are expected to be happy/smile all the time. (by maydayp_p)
21. Smokers get breaks, non-smokers don't (or have to fight for them). (by maydayp_p)
22. Reading is bad/strange (how often have you read a book, or heard some one say "oh I haven't read a book in years). (by maydayp_p)
23. BIG LIST OF UNWRITTEN RULES IN NORWEGIAN SOCIETY (#s 23-31) (by Kuro_Kitsune_Bard)
Here's some that I know of from another country (Norway) that I've spent some months in in the past few years.
Never get angry, speak your mind or cause a scene.
24. Don’t complain in front of (or to) a Norwegain.
25. Don’t bother saying ‘hi’ to a Norwegian unless they say ‘hi’ first.
26. Always be positive and pleasant no matter how you are feeling.
27. Don’t ask a Norwegian to do anything unless you are their employer.
28. Don’t try to ‘make plans’ with a Norwegian.
29. Don’t just drop by on a Norwegian.
30. Never give Norwegians gifts or presents, especially when just visiting.
31. Don’t expect a Norwegian to talk with you even if you are the only two sitting on a bench in the middle of an empty room.

32. In the Philippines, when riding public transportation especially jeepneys, you must pass the passenger's fare to the driver (by Arachne Frostheim)
33. Most of the Catholic Filipinos when passed by a church, we give respect by doing the sign of the cross. (by Arachne Frostheim)
34. If you're walking alone down a street or hallway and only one other person you don't know is walking towards you, take out your phone and text someone so you can avoid making any eye contact or human interaction with the other person. (by Kid Of The Revolution).
35.sitting with your back straigt (str will make people (at least in america) think you are stiff and proper (by Post valentines1)
36. "You must always be a social person, willing to talk and chat with those around you, or you will never be liked or succeed in life." This one is followed right down to job applications. People expect you to be an extrovert and if you're not, then you wouldn't be good for the job or anything else, really. (by RedFeather FalconHawk).
37. don't masterbate where people can see you, unless you know, they're into that sort of thing (by Major Blazer).

Thanks again to all contributors.

[CH1YO]

carl chicago

1. Please contribute any unwritten rules you've noticed and how you've noticed them. (I'll add those to the second post.)

I'm better at defying them than noticing them I'm afraid.

carl chicago

2. Do you have any theories behind why certain rules exist?

As a rule (hehe) they promote a smooth social experience, as the more disconcerting elements are pre-empted.

carl chicago

3. Do you agree with/ approve of these rules?

Very much so, without them we'd have a much less reliable society.

carl chicago

4. How did society come to agree on these rules?

They were never so much agreed upon as their being a result of our natural tendency to try to suit our behaviour to the audience; it is a normalising tendency.

[sora wonk]

CH1YO

Very much so, without them we'd have a much less reliable society.

What's so desirable about a reliable society?

[CH1YO]

carl chicago

CH1YO

Very much so, without them we'd have a much less reliable society.

What's so desirable about a reliable society?

Weird stuff happens less.

[sora wonk]

CH1YO

carl chicago

CH1YO

Very much so, without them we'd have a much less reliable society.

What's so desirable about a reliable society?

Weird stuff happens less.

Alas, the weird is the spice of life. Surely there are days when you crave the weird?

[CH1YO]

carl chicago

CH1YO

carl chicago

CH1YO

Very much so, without them we'd have a much less reliable society.

What's so desirable about a reliable society?

Weird stuff happens less.

Alas, the weird is the spice of life. Surely there are days when you crave the weird?

Variety is the spice of life. I get it by exploiting a reliable society.

[sora wonk]

CH1YO

carl chicago

CH1YO

carl chicago

CH1YO

Very much so, without them we'd have a much less reliable society.

What's so desirable about a reliable society?

Weird stuff happens less.

Alas, the weird is the spice of life. Surely there are days when you crave the weird?

Variety is the spice of life. I get it by exploiting a reliable society.

The weird is the other spice, then. The spicier one. I seriously think you're missing out.

[CH1YO]

carl chicago

CH1YO

carl chicago

CH1YO

carl chicago

CH1YO

Very much so, without them we'd have a much less reliable society.

What's so desirable about a reliable society?

Weird stuff happens less.

Alas, the weird is the spice of life. Surely there are days when you crave the weird?

Variety is the spice of life. I get it by exploiting a reliable society.

The weird is the other spice, then. The spicier one. I seriously think you're missing out.

That's chilli, silly.

[sora wonk]

CH1YO

That's chilli, silly.

Ohhh. Hm. Well chillies disagree with reliable society too.
They tell me they do not wish to die in tacos all the time.

[CH1YO]

carl chicago

CH1YO

That's chilli, silly.

Ohhh. Hm. Well chillies disagree with reliable society too.
They tell me they do not wish to die in tacos all the time.

That's because tacos are a waste of even half-decent chillies.

[sora wonk]

CH1YO

carl chicago

CH1YO

That's chilli, silly.

Ohhh. Hm. Well chillies disagree with reliable society too.
They tell me they do not wish to die in tacos all the time.

That's because tacos are a waste of even half-decent chillies.

I can make a nice beef stew with chillies that hurts to eat.
I feel like I'm getting off topic.

[CH1YO]

carl chicago

CH1YO

carl chicago

CH1YO

That's chilli, silly.

Ohhh. Hm. Well chillies disagree with reliable society too.
They tell me they do not wish to die in tacos all the time.

That's because tacos are a waste of even half-decent chillies.

I can make a nice beef stew with chillies that hurts to eat.
I feel like I'm getting off topic.

You're making it wrong then. Use more ginger.

[sora wonk]

CH1YO

carl chicago

CH1YO

carl chicago

CH1YO

That's chilli, silly.

Ohhh. Hm. Well chillies disagree with reliable society too.
They tell me they do not wish to die in tacos all the time.

That's because tacos are a waste of even half-decent chillies.

I can make a nice beef stew with chillies that hurts to eat.
I feel like I'm getting off topic.

You're making it wrong then. Use more ginger.

Yes ma'am. I'll add it to my shopping list. Any hope you'll just magically appear and make it for me?

[Halfelvish]

carl chicago

1. Please contribute any unwritten rules you've noticed and how you've noticed them.
* Bro's before ho's / Chick's before d**k's.
* Jailbait - look but don't touch.
* No sticking your tongue down someone's throat in public if you're in the way.

2. Do you have any theories behind why certain rules exist?
A combination of common sense and 'trial and error', I suppose.

3. Do you agree with/ approve of these rules?
I agree with all but the first one, as in some circumstances, one side would come before the other.

4. How did society come to agree on these rules?
See my answer to question 2.