Does it absolutely boggle your mind when you see someone watching a loud video on the bus? Or what about co-workers that have the audacity to heat broccoli in the office microwave? There are certain rules of life that should be used and practiced by everyone. Somehow, though, some people seem oblivious to them.
A Reddit user asked the very important question of โWhat is one โunwritten ruleโ you think everyone should know and follow?โ and the internet answered.
Here are 50 of the best โunwritten rulesโ that should definitely become laws.
Imagine a world where everyone obeyed these rules!
1. Just donโtโฆ
Itโs annoying. Thatโs it, really. Itโs annoying to be told to โsmile more.โ Just donโt do it. Let people just be themselves without interjecting. You donโt know what kind of day theyโre having.


Source:
Reddit
2.) More people need to know this
If youโve ever had to sit in the middle seat of the plane, you know how uncomfortable and awkward it can be. The person by the window can always lean over to rest against the wall and the person on the aisle has the freedom to go as they please. The least these people could do is give the middle person both armrests. Everyone wins!


Source:
Reddit
3. It just makes sense
If youโre boarding a train or a bus, wait for the people on board to exit first. They have somewhere to go and the bus driver wonโt leave you. Just wait a minute. Itโs less chaotic and youโll have more seats to choose from too.


Source:
Reddit
4. Absolutely correct.
We think this Reddit userโs unwritten rule is spot onโespecially if you work in an office. If youโre the person that pours the last cup of coffee from the pot, itโs your job to make some more (or at least ask if anyone wants more).


Source:
Reddit
5. Donโt be a jerk
The rule below is just out of sheer humanity. If a happy child is excited enough to see you that they wave at you, you wave back. Always! No ifs, ands, or buts about it.


Source:
Reddit
6. Donโt steal the thunder
Please, please donโt ever propose at someone elseโs wedding. Let the newlywed couple have the spotlight that day. Lord knows they probably spent a lot of money on the event too. Save your shining moment for another time.


Source:
Reddit
7. Why tear someone down?
Everyone has insecurities, why make them worse? If someone is doing their best or putting an effort into something, never make fun of them or belittle them. A mean comment during a vulnerable time like that can last a lifetime.


Source:
Reddit
8. Why would that be okay?
If a bedroom door is closed and you knock on it without getting a responseโwhy on earth would you proceed to open it? It could mean the person is sleeping, getting out of the shower, or having a private moment. No response, no entering.


Source:
Reddit
9. Have some follow-through
When you tell someone youโre going to do something โ DO IT. Otherwise, donโt tell them that you will. Itโs more polite being honest and upfront if you canโt take something on than it is to make promises you canโt keep.


Source:
Reddit
10. Respect their privacy
When someone shows you a picture on their phone, theyโre showing you that picture and that picture only. Donโt swipe in either direction to see more. Some people keep personal things on their phones that arenโt meant for anyoneโs eyes but their own.


Source:
Reddit
11. Itโs just petty
If youโre in an argument, be an adult and argue or debate using your words and your logic. If you start insulting the other person, it just means youโre losing the argument and you have to get petty to have a dog in the fight.


Source:
Reddit
12. Youโre not exempt from the rule
Why would you think youโre so special to not have to remove your shoes? The bottoms of your soles are just as gross as everyone elseโs. If itโs the house rule, you follow it.


Source:
Reddit
13. Zip it up!
Merging lanes seems to be one of the hardest concepts for drivers. Weโre not sure why, but it is. People need to treat it like a zipper. Follow the merge lane to the very end and the alternate merging into the lane with the one thatโs being merged into. Itโs not rocket science, people!


Source:
Reddit
14. Pick up after yourself
Just because you pay money to have a gym membership, doesnโt mean you can be a slob when youโre there. Always put equipment back where you found it and, for the love of God, wipe off your sweat!


Source:
Reddit
15. Never
Never, ever, ever ask a woman when her baby is due. Unless you know she is pregnant (100% for sure) and you just happened to forget the due date, donโt ask. Ever.


Source:
Reddit
16. What are we, savages?
This Reddit userโs rule below is just common sense! I mean, who would put a soaking wet sponge back on the counter without squeezing it out first? That would just be plain ridiculous. Wring it out!


Source:
Reddit
17. Gross
Microwaved fish produces possibly the most ungodly stench to ever exist. Itโs super gross. Never use the communal kitchen fridge at your office to heat up fish. Youโll ruin everyoneโs day.


Source:
Reddit
18. Hello? Another human here.
If youโre opening a door, check behind you to see if anyone is coming in right after you. If they are, hold the door. If you donโt look, that means youโre not aware of your surroundings. If you do look and slam it anyway, then youโre just a jerk.


Source:
Reddit
19. Laughter is joy
Donโt ever make fun of someoneโs smile or laugh. Their smile or laugh is what they use to show joy and happiness. By making them feel insecure about it, it takes the warmth out of that joy and happiness, making them not want to do it anymore.


Source:
Reddit
20. Sound advice
Always try and be of service to others before yourself. If you have things to do that other people are waiting on, do those things first. Then, focus on the other tasks.


Source:
Reddit
21. Take a hint
When someone says theyโre not interested, theyโre not interested. Bottom line. Just because you push them to talk to you more by asking โwhyโ or to โgive you a chance,โ just respect what they said and walk away.


Source:
Reddit
22. Turn it off
Using your phone in the movie theater is so rude. Literally everyone can see that blinding and annoying light. And why did you pay for a movie youโre not even going to watch? Turn it off or take it outside.


Source:
Reddit
23. Just be discreet
Always let someone know if they have a piece of food stuck in their teeth or sauce on their face. No one wants to look in the mirror later knowing full well that you must have noticed it but didnโt say anything.


Source:
Reddit
24. But at the same timeโฆ
Donโt ever point out something about someoneโs appearance that they cannot change or do anything about. Thatโs just plain rude.


Source:
Reddit
25. Itโs gross if you donโt
Always, always cover your mouth when you sneeze or cough. Thereโs no excuse. Your snot, spit, and grossness goes spraying much further than you think. No one wants that nastiness. Cover it up.


Source:
Reddit
26. Everyone take note
This is one traffic rule that it seems like 90% of humans have forgotten. Even if there are only two lanes, this is the rule. Donโt just hang out in the far left lane. Itโs for passing only.


Source:
Reddit
27. Be kind, please.
Why would you just ignore the person that held a door open for you? They literally went out of their way to make sure you didnโt have to push or pull that door and now youโre going to pretend theyโre not there? Thatโs just crazy. Look them in the eye and say โthank you.โ


Source:
Reddit
28. Itโs not that hard
Itโs never okay to chew with your mouth open. No one wants to see that chomped up sandwich that youโre mushing down so it can go into your esophagus. Keep your mouth closed.


Source:
Reddit
29. Again, be kind.
Youโre a human! You know how rough life can be sometimes. Well, turns out, that goes for every human! Itโs terrible to gossip about people, theyโre dealing with their own issues and difficulties in life, they donโt need judgment and rumors.


Source:
Reddit
30. No one wanted that to happen
People shouldnโt get upset when they get bumped into. Theyโre partially at fault too. Because if either person was really paying attention, someone would have moved.


Source:
Reddit
31. Keep it short
If you borrow something from someone, keep the borrowing time to a minimum. Donโt keep it long enough for it to be asked for it back. Thatโs just awkward.


Source:
Reddit
32. Let them have the floor
When someone tells a great story about their weekend or a new hobby theyโve taken up, donโt come in with a โbetterโ story about a similar thing. It sounds like youโre trying to one-up them which isnโt very cool.


Source:
Reddit
33. Donโt dilly-dally
The car was polite enough to stop to let you pass. Donโt waste their time by strolling slowly across the street. Give a courtesy wave and put a little pep in your step to get to the other side.


Source:
Reddit
34. A good general rule
If youโre not sure which side of the sidewalk to walk on, just follow the flow of traffic in that country or region. Itโs just common sense.


Source:
Reddit
35. So awkward
Unless you have no other choice, men โ donโt stand directly next to another person at the urinals. Itโs weird, itโs creepy, and it should never be done if it can be avoided.


Source:
Reddit
36. Theyโre in a zone
When someone has earphones in at the gym, on the train, or just walking down the street, that means they donโt want to be bothered. Theyโre listening to music or a podcast (or maybe nothing at all), so just leave them be.


Source:
Reddit
37. Just like that Seinfeld episode
Another great unwritten law of life is to never double dip. Unless youโre eating that entire bowl of dip yourself, no one wants to have that piece of chip that was halfway in your mouth back in the guac.


Source:
Reddit
38. We donโt want to hear it
Speakerphones are meant for the privacy of your own car or talking to someone while youโre prepping dinner in your kitchen. Theyโre not meant to be used in a public space. The entire world doesnโt want to hear about your business deal or wifeโs bad day at work.


Source:
Reddit
39. Return the favor
If someone was kind enough to give you a ride and use their gas, offer to give them some money for gas, even if itโs only a buck or two. The gesture itself really means a lot.


Source:
Reddit
40. Step it back
Why is it necessary to stand right up to the belt at the luggage dropoff at an airport? Your bag clearly isnโt the only one thatโs coming down the chute. Take a step back and just wait until you see your bag. This allows everyone to watch for their bag without having to climb on top of each other.


Source:
Reddit
41. Out of the way, please.
Itโs incredible how many people just come to a dead stop in the middle of a walking path or hallway. Itโs like they forgot about every single person that was around them and figured they could all wait or go around them. Rude. Just take a few steps off to the side, will ya?


Source:
Reddit
42. The cook should never clean
If someone was nice enough to cook you a homemade meal, always offer to clear the table and clean the dishes. Itโs a beautiful gesture to let them see your gratitude.


Source:
Reddit
43. On that same noteโฆ
If you know someone will be picking up the bill at dinner, you might think โoh, good! I can order that lobster and filet mignon surf nโ turf dinner!โ But, please donโt. Doing that makes it feel like youโre simply taking advantage of them instead of accepting a gracious offer they didnโt have to make in the first place.


Source:
Reddit
44. So dirty
Think of all the hands that dollar bill has passed through before landing in your hands. If you canโt seem to put it anywhere while tying your shoe or picking something up, do not put it in your mouth. So nasty!


Source:
Reddit
45. Who does that?
In nearly every office environment, youโll hear of someone who has had their lunch stolen from the office fridge. Who does that? And you can just walk around that office building and look at that hungry person straight in the eye? So barbaric.


Source:
Reddit
46. Be aware of others
When you step onto an escalator, keep all the way to the right if you plan on just standing there. The left is for those that would like to walk up. And if youโre with someone, be sure to stand or walk single-file.


Source:
Reddit
47. Itโs really not that hard
A responsible dog owner should and will always pick up after their dog has gone poo. Itโs so not cool to just leave it out there for someone to accidentally go trampling in. Itโs a real day-ruiner.


Source:
Reddit
48. Respect โthe bubbleโ
Itโs always so odd and strange when someone chooses to sit directly next to someone in an empty movie theater. Yes, I know the middle seats in the middle row are the best, thatโs why I got here early. Looks like youโll have to settle for the row back.


Source:
Reddit
49. What happened to human connection?
When youโre talking to someone in person, give them your undivided attention. Nothing feels worse than being the โsecond choiceโ for attention. Put the phone away while youโre conversing with someone.


Source:
Reddit
50. Never just โpop byโ
If you want to swing by someoneโs house, donโt ever just do it randomly. People would always prefer a heads up so that they can get dressed or clean up the house a little.


Source:
Reddit
Imagine if everyone in the world followed these โrulesโ of life. Everyone would be so polite and everything would run so efficiently! Not everyone knows of these โunwritten rulesโ so be sure to share this on Facebook.
H/T: Reddit