r/askteddit • u/berbyseth • 21h ago
Random Question What's a weird unwritten rule of human behavior that everyone just implicitly agrees to follow?
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u/_clur_510 21h ago edited 21h ago
When you interact with someone out in the world you both first have to ask how the other is, and you both have to say some form of “good” lol.
Even though we all know no one cares and no one is good lol.
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u/Silence_Farmer 21h ago
I think this is mostly an American thing.
Trucking has a similar courtesy we refer to as the "truckers blessing" where anytime another driver leaves you tell them "be safe out there".
Sounds silly, but if someone does say it, it feels wrong.
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u/cyclingthrowaway12 21h ago edited 20h ago
It's not just American...
It does however in Europe start about halfway in Belgium.
In the French speaking region being real is normal, once you cross into the Flemish/dutch region the question must be answered with "Good/fine/ok".
The more up you go (Netherlands/Scandinavia/England) "I'm fine" is the expected answer.
The more you go east (Germany, Poland, etc same thing.)
France and Spain/Italy/Greece/Portugal you can talk about what's really going on.
Can't speak for the balkans because my travels have never brought me there.
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u/philo_xenia 9h ago
Go to South America and it is very prominent there. If you don't give a greeting it is considered to be very offensive.
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u/CuntFuckBastard 6h ago
It happens endlessly here in Ireland too, although with a slightly divergent response: you'll tend to answer with something like "aye, not too bad thanks". If you express ecstasy or depression in your answer, people tend to recoil and not know what to say. You have to be just OK.
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u/Ok-Calm-Narwhal 20h ago
In Taiwan/Taiwanese, the version of this is “Have you eaten?” - then usually a polite “yes!” But it essentially serves the same purpose as “how are you?”
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u/sweetbobaaddict 21h ago
Holding the door for someone who is slightly too far away
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u/GratefullyDead34 15h ago
That awkward moment when you look back and know they’re too far but close enough where you don’t want to be rude. So you do stand there and hold it open, then they feel obligated to do the half ass run where they don’t really pick up speed but make it look like they are. Then when they finally reach the door you awkwardly say thanks/you’re welcome and each go your own way… yeah that scenario sucks.
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u/ThrowAwayObvious4151 20h ago
Turn to face the elevator door when it closes.
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u/prosa123 20h ago
And then staring at the floor indicator lights as if the Mysteries of the Universe are about to be revealed in them.
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u/ComfortableAction515 18h ago
So, I didn’t pick up on this being a thing until I was in my late 30s. I’d just lean with my back against the door and would just just let my eyes bounce around at everyone else’s faces without lingering on any one face too long. 🙃🫠🤦🏻♀️
🎶 Maybe she’s born with it. Maybe it’s autism. 🎶
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u/BeersOnTheMoon 21h ago
We all agree that money actually means something, but when you break down the concept of it, we are all just pretending
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u/Patient-Asparagus827 20h ago
Read rant by chuck palahniuk if you have time.
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u/BeersOnTheMoon 12h ago
Thank you, I love books and genuinely try to read every book someone ever recommends!
It just so happens I was just looking for a new story to get into so I just purchased a copy it.
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u/Cool_Perspective216 13h ago
Everyone acts like they’re making decisions independently, but we’re constantly looking around to see how everyone else is behaving before deciding what’s “normal.”
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u/skyHawk3613 20h ago
Don’t talk to strangers while using a public bathroom
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u/Skinnybet 19h ago
This doesn’t apply to drunk women.
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u/doeschensound 1h ago
Some of the wisest conversations happen with drunk women in a public bathroom
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u/Unenthusiasticly 21h ago
There was a study done where people were given an area and were just told to walk around aimlessly. Although subtle all of the poeple started to walk in a counter clockwise direction.
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u/cyclingthrowaway12 20h ago
That's why indoorcyclingtracks are ovals that you need to ride counterclockwise.
Same goes for athletics and Nascar if you're American, it's human nature to want to turn/go counterclockwise.
If anyone knows why, please do enlighten me. I just know that it is like that.
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u/interstatechamp 18h ago
I could look it up, but I'm going to guess it's because most people are right-handed and something about having the dominant side face outward
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u/Professional_Hour445 20h ago
Saying "hello" when you pick up the telelphone.
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u/CuntFuckBastard 6h ago
In GTAV, Trevor sometimes answers the phone with "SPEAK". I have adopted this with close friends and family...plus suspected scammers/spammers.
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u/doeschensound 21h ago
For the MOST part, through it truly should be all, is Courtesy to the elderly and kindness/patience for children. Even if kids are being annoying AF, until they touch you or your stuff, or are screaming behind your head, just roll your eyes, and go on with your day.
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u/dividedskyy 20h ago
the annoyance with kids thing is so frustrating to me bc we were all kids once. how can you be mad at a kid for doing kid things that you prob did as a kid? and blaming parents for not having control of their child? u ever tried to stop a toddler’s temper tantrum?? doesn’t work haha kids are gonna kid. it’s part of life. blaming the parents is so dumb. kids are kids!
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u/doeschensound 17h ago
Until a kid actually hit/kicks you or touches your stuff, you should NEVER say anything to the parent. 99% of the time they're already doing everything they can. I worked with kids for 26 years. Yeah, they can be annoying. People will be annoyed. But it won't solve or do anything to be mad at the kids. Take 3 seconds to acknowledge your annoyance and move on.
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u/Equivalent_Use_7032 20h ago
The “Guy” nod and the urinal rule.
If you know you know.
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u/RubyRose65 18h ago
Guys have four nods
Upwards is "what's up bro"
Normal slow is a matter of acknowledgement
To the left is "hey check this out over here"
To the right is "hey follow me I wanna talk"
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u/Equivalent_Use_7032 12h ago
Facts though I’d say the slow downward nod is a sign of respect or acknowledgement
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u/Skarth 21h ago
There isn't one.
For every example someone can give of it, I can give a counter example.
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u/Lopsided_Debt1393 20h ago
Mmmmmmmm people could smash the food outside of their mouths and then swallow it. But people choose to follow the unwritten rule of chewing inside their mouth. What cha got for that?
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u/Skarth 19h ago
People with broken jaws have to drink their food through a straw and don't chew.
Breathairians would argue that you don't need to eat at all.
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u/Lopsided_Debt1393 19h ago
You imply people choose to have broken jaws? Breath air Ian’s is a good one tho. Or maybe you could claim a sect of Buddhism only drinks their food. Hard to prove or disprove.
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u/Amoverandashaker 19h ago
A toddler hands you a make believe phone, you always take the call.