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Social norms are informal rules that govern behavior in groups and societies. They touch almost every aspect of our lives.

Academics like to use this comparison to explain the concept: just as grammar is a set of regulations that governs the structure and organization of language, social norms regulate the structure and organization of people, and, again, just as grammar shapes how we communicate and understand language, social norms shape how we behave and interact with others.

Sociologists talk about social norms motivating people to act, economists explore how they influence market behavior, and legal scholars view them as alternatives to laws, and while their words make sense, if we deconstruct these systems enough, they can begin to look silly.

Recently, Reddit user Irish-Springs made a post on the platform, asking people to share what social norm they find pretty weird when they think about it, and it has already received over 5,300 comments, many of which raise some hilariously valid points.

#1

30 People Share Social Norms That They Find Weird, Make A Lot Of Hilariously Valid Points People's absolute horror about women breastfeeding in public.

Oh, I am sorry, Karen. I am giving my baby substance, not trying to attract your 12 year old son.

KayD12364 , RDNE Stock project Report

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Robert T
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Please don't give your baby substance. That is illegal and dangerous to the child's health. Give them sustenance instead. ;-)

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#2

30 People Share Social Norms That They Find Weird, Make A Lot Of Hilariously Valid Points Paying tens of thousands of dollars to bury corpses in the ground.

ieatsthapussy , cottonbro studio Report

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TheAmericanAmerican
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My wife knows my wishes: dig a hole, toss me in, bury me with a young oak tree on top. Done.

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#3

30 People Share Social Norms That They Find Weird, Make A Lot Of Hilariously Valid Points People expect you to get along with family (parents, siblings) even if they treat you like s**t.

ODBrewer , fauxels Report

#4

30 People Share Social Norms That They Find Weird, Make A Lot Of Hilariously Valid Points The expectation of tipping for certain jobs, as a substitute for paying employees a higher wage.

Keikobad , Dave Dugdale Report

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xxx
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When I was a kid tipping was meant only for for waiters/waitresses and petrol attendants (we don't 'pump our own gas' - now it's drivers, delivery peers, shop assistants, hair dressing assistants, literally any assistant, any service provider, and their mom. It's crazy. I can't afford to tip everyone damn.

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#5

30 People Share Social Norms That They Find Weird, Make A Lot Of Hilariously Valid Points Gender reveal parties.

Curious_Elephant_200 , Rebeca Alvidrez Report

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Ace
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I _think_ these are still largely confined to the US - let's just hope it stays that way.

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#6

30 People Share Social Norms That They Find Weird, Make A Lot Of Hilariously Valid Points Showing excessive gratuitous violence is fine, and will get you at most a PG-13 rating, which most people will think is too strict anyways. But show even one uncovered booby and people will lose their minds.

TipzE , Pixabay Report

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Robert T
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Boobs seem to be more of a taboo in America than anywhere else, which is ironic for the country with the world's biggest porn industry.

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#7

30 People Share Social Norms That They Find Weird, Make A Lot Of Hilariously Valid Points Circumcision is pretty wild. Cosmetic surgery on the genitals of a baby is pretty weird.

BigMax , Sarah Chai Report

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Lama
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This. This is the one that is absolutely crazy to me. Somehow they managed to brainwash millions of people into thinking it's ok, or even "better". No, leave them babies alone, weirdos.

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#8

Women’s pants don’t have pockets.

Galen_415 Report

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baby frog
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

i wear men’s jeans for that reason. and that my legs are really long and they’re comfortable for me sooooo

SH Holmes
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I actually really like women's jeans for some reason, but the pockets are ridiculous. My mini pocket goes deeper than normal women's pockets.

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Seabeast
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Some do. I'm wearing women's pants right now that have pockets.

Lyoness
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yes! And that sizing is so wildly different based on brand.

Xenon
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

No s**t. I vary from 8 - 14. What in the cubic non pocket is this s**t?

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AnkleByter
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Most women's clothing that comes without adequate pockets were/are both designed and created by....women. This depends entirely on where you get your clothes, though. All of my jeans, pants, shorts, even some skirts, have pockets (and not tiny ones). People buy the clothing without adequate pockets, then complain about not having pockets, lol. Well, buy stuff that has them, stop buying the stuff that doesn't and the people who make and design that c**p will stop. Excluding expensive designers who don't care one iota about function or how many people buy their stuff, lol. They go for the whole idea of "less purchases equals exclusivity equals higher cost equals more popular equals we're the best"...it's weird.

Jessica Shookhoff
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There's not always a lot of options... which is why I learned how to add pockets to whatever I want! 😃

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Annik Perrot
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I bought a denim jacket, and all the pockets were sewn up! I undid them all. Why have pockets if you can't use them?

baby frog
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

i would have messed up so bad on that lol. good job getting those pockets open! it’s so stupid that they were even sewn up in the first place

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RandomPanda (She/Her)
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My dad asked me why I never put my phone in my pocket and I told him I couldn't even fit half my hand in them, much less a cell phone.

John Harrison
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How can this be explained by anything but women not choosing to buy clothing with pockets? It would stand to reason that if women really chose function over form, the clothing items that had pockets would always be sold out, and the industry would respond, no?

PeepPeep the duck
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I fit in kids stuff so I get kids pants that have pockets but then I ask myself - what is so important that a child has pockets over an adult female

kitteh floof lover
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

i find it too uncomfortable to put everything that i would carry in my purse into pockets, and i am a minimalist when it comes to what i carry in my purse. too many weird and uncomfortable bulges in my jeans. purses just make more sense to me.

D. O. Brndo
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

. . . the result, women put down men who wear cargo shorts. I don't design the pants, lady.

CHRIS DOMRES
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Don't they have a special vacuum that sucks all the air out of their pants so that are tight and show off their figure? It is not about function, it is about maintaining the "image".

Jared Robinson
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ladies stop buying ladies pants. I promise you will look just as good in mens jeans and they have pockets.

Rens
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Women's clothing generally doesn't have proper functioning pockets because otherwise, we would buy handbags if we had pockets?

Rens
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What I meant was if we had functioning pockets we wouldn't buy handbags...

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zak
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I still don't understand why a woman hasn't made a clothing line comprised of only clothes that have usable pockets. Call it "Pocketz" or something. I mean seriously, you have nobody to blame but yourselves at this point 🤷🏼‍♂️

Jeremy Klaxon
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Again, and again, and again, and again, women complaining that women's clothes don't have pockets. But I am 100% certain that if I create women clothes with pockets, no woman will ever buy them.

David
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's on you women. Bad fashion designs are on the designer but bad fashion designs continuing to be a popular thing is because consumers purchase them. I guarantee you if women went one year not buying anything without pockets, fashion designers would be "INSPIRED" to create DARING new designs with pockets.

Cathy McGee
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Nonsense. So that would be one year without buying any clothing at all. Not going to happpen

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mft760
Community Member
1 year ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

They don't have as many responsibilities. Therefore less pockets.

Annik Perrot
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yup. Women don't need car keys, since their husband drives. They don't need à wallet, since their husband pays for anything they need. They don't need à phone since their husband has one. They don't need ID, since they're only an extension of their husband.../s

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#9

30 People Share Social Norms That They Find Weird, Make A Lot Of Hilariously Valid Points The absurd obsession the US has with the flag and the "reverence" surrounding it. It's a godsdammed piece of fabric. Actually, US patriotism as a whole.

YankeeMoose , The absurd obsession the US has with the flag and the "reverence" surrounding it. It's a godsdammed piece of fabric. Actually, US patriotism as a whol Report

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Ace
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not just the US. Anywhere that venerates their flag in that way is deeply suspicious and there are many much worse offenders than them.

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#10

Grand gesture marriage proposals in public are embarrassing and weird.

dfw_runner Report

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Black Rabbit
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It can be quite romantic and memorable. But if you're going to go big, you DEFINITELY need to know how your partner will respond beforehand to save yourself from being shot down on the spot because of embarassment.

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#11

30 People Share Social Norms That They Find Weird, Make A Lot Of Hilariously Valid Points Working your a*s off for 65 years to then live for 10 years.

maybetoomuchrum , SHVETS production Report

#12

Sending hungry kids to school and not feeding them for free.

TeacherLady3 Report

#13

The topic of sex being generally taboo despite the fact that it is the reason we’re all here and that a majority of people love it.

missesalchemist111 Report

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Cecile Visscher
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It is quite acceptable to see pple getting gunned down or stabbed to death, but show one female nipple and the movie is for 16 years and older cause apperantly kids minds are too frail to deal with that.

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#14

Bikinis vs bras. If you bra is made out of swimwear fabric, suddenly new social rules apply.

gradientti Report

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Tracy Wallick
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's about intent and consent. In a bikini you're intending to be outside and consenting to be seen in that manner of dress. Bras, besides sports bras, are generally worn with the intent of not being seen, and unless the wearer reveals it themselves, they are not consenting to be seen in that article of clothing.

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#15

30 People Share Social Norms That They Find Weird, Make A Lot Of Hilariously Valid Points Forcing people in their teens to decide on a career with the implication that they'll do it for the rest of their life and sealing the deal by putting them into so much debt studying for said career that they're pretty much enslaved to it.

BedroomCactus , Kyle Gregory Devaras Report

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#16

30 People Share Social Norms That They Find Weird, Make A Lot Of Hilariously Valid Points Working 40 hours a week. It’s actually insane that we all put up with it.

Clementinequeen95 , Andrea Piacquadio Report

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Agfox
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I worked in a number of Government & private sector organisations & the number of people working considerably more hours than 40 was totally surprising

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#17

30 People Share Social Norms That They Find Weird, Make A Lot Of Hilariously Valid Points Women are expected to be hairless-presenting.

Ninithyemo , Karolina Grabowska Report

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Rens
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Shaving or not shaving should be a personal choice and it's none of anybody else's business.

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#18

Education should be fully free across the board. It makes 0 sense that a country would impoverish their own people rather than invest in a strong, educated and healthy population.

The ONLY reason that university costs money is to perpetuate social stratification. You could probably take 5% of the military budget and it would more than cover it.

Also, isn’t that what “free market” people always b***h about? That once people are rich they will give back and trickle down? Tax the 1% sell slightly more and you would have it paid for.

Germany has free education. It works just fine.

If you are smart and ambitious enough to attend a university, it should be fully state sponsored. The only reason people are against this, is that some kids who grew up rich and didn’t have to take out a mortgage to enter the rat race are jealous they don’t get to keep their advantage.

josiahpapaya Report

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Lama
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

But what if we abuse our right to education and get smart and realize we are governed by greedy goblins?!

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#19

30 People Share Social Norms That They Find Weird, Make A Lot Of Hilariously Valid Points Women can show their whole breast just not the nipples.

No_Gap_2134 , Nastya Korenkova Report

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Oerff On Tour
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Women can't show nippels, because MEN could get "inpure thoughts", according to fundamentalist "Christian" leaders. They like to spout their disapproval all over the internet, which is full of pørn. And the most watched pørn in the US is GAY pørn...

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#20

Encouraging people to drink more alcohol. I'm guilty of it myself, 'go on, just one more!' Or I've bought shots for people who have said no, which then pressures them to drink it.

I didn't see a problem with it until I saw a guy taking the p**s out of another guy for drinking alcohol free beer. Imagine being ok with being pressured to take drugs? It's madness when I think about it.

OhHiFelicia Report

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Lama
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Good for you on growing as a person! You are completely right :)

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#21

30 People Share Social Norms That They Find Weird, Make A Lot Of Hilariously Valid Points Forcing or encouraging a child to hug a family member that has known them since their birth but the child doesn't have any sort of bond with said family member.

WickedBasket2000 , Ivan Samkov Report

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baby frog
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

my mom used to make me do this and then i made it VERY clear that i hate hugging anyone, even my own parents. i have a few exceptions, like my BEST friend but other than that absolutely not. thank you, but don’t touch me!

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#22

30 People Share Social Norms That They Find Weird, Make A Lot Of Hilariously Valid Points Family asking if you're trying for a child. 

EveRommel , Clem Onojeghuo Report

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David
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There is nothing wrong with asking a relative if they plan to have children. Also nothing wrong with said relative choosing to demure or say they have not decided. The problem IMO is when the person asking tries to pressure them into the choice they want to hear.

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#23

30 People Share Social Norms That They Find Weird, Make A Lot Of Hilariously Valid Points The expectation to have a huge wedding.

asj0107 , Leonardo Miranda Report

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Leslie B
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My entire wedding, including my dress and the marriage license was less than $600 CAD. Invest in the marriage not the wedding.

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#24

30 People Share Social Norms That They Find Weird, Make A Lot Of Hilariously Valid Points Asking a grown woman's father for her hand in marriage. What?

snydermann , Andrea Piacquadio Report

#25

30 People Share Social Norms That They Find Weird, Make A Lot Of Hilariously Valid Points Everybody hates being sung happy birthday and everybody hates singing happy birthday, so what the hell are we doing here?

funkyjiveturkey , August de Richelieu Report

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Kristal
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I like it, it's sweet. I moved to another country by myself and the people I thought were friends never visited or anything. My best friend (not nearby at all) facetimes me with her kid and sing me happy birthday, then her husband pops his head in and says happy birthday. I truly felt love when they did that and I haven't felt that in a long while. To respond to other commenters: it's not always about being the center of attention.

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#26

Fireworks on the 4th of July. We celebrate independence by showering our land with expensive toxic chemicals from China.

OngoGabl0g1an Report

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honeyk
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

i think fireworks should be illegal... it's noise pollution. air pollution. ocean pollution. fire danger. extremely expensive. causes terror in all animals... it's outdated and ridiculous. what's wrong with an incredibly fantastic laser show in the sky?

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#27

You can't use swear words on TV, radio, or in movies under PG-13; but you learn most of the swear words that exist by middle school. What's the point?

earhere Report

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Lama
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Also pretty country specific, here in the Netherlands it's ok to swear on radio/tv. Not that we do it all the time, it's still considered a little crude or impolite. But there's no outrage when someone lets slip a heartfelt f-ck 😂

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#28

Caring what another person wears or what they look like.

Taste_the__Rainbow Report

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Mabelbabel
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have a medical condition called lipoedema, which means that although I'm not overweight going by BMI, my legs are disproportionately large compared to the rest of me. I can guarantee that a total stranger will comment on it about 50% of the time I'm out and about. Its usually in the supermarket, and its usually some ignorant old woman telling me my ankles are swollen, or asking me directly about it, or making a rude comment about me needing to lose weight so my legs aren't so fat. What makes people think a rude comment about someone's appearance will be welcome? Do they think before opening their ignorant mouths? The next old biddy who comments is getting shoved in the freezer with the fish fingers.

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#29

Not going to a restaurant by yourself.

I am on a business trip, I want to eat somewhere nice, drink some wine, dine nice since the company is paying for that stuff, I didn't bring anyone because its my arrival night or I just want to have a moment for myself.

And then I get treated like I have a leprosy, or the waiter tries to strong-arm me to go to the communal area or patio to eat because then I would have some company from the random patrons.

DerKyhe Report

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Hugh Cookson
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ex Hotelier and Michelin Chef here ; If any of my staff (or me, when I was training) treated a lone diner with anything less than the utmost courtesy and kindness, they would have (and have) been taken to one side and told the error of their ways. For example, I used to have a delightful chap used to come in probably once a month with his wife for a couple of years, then started coming in by himself as his Wife had died of Cancer ; one of my new waiters made a comment along the lines of 'what a sad old git, coming in by himself ...etc'. My Sous Chef made him see the error of his ways (basically gave him a light thumping) and he left the next day. The elderly gentleman ate there regularly for the next 3 years before succumbing to Alzheimers.

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#30

30 People Share Social Norms That They Find Weird, Make A Lot Of Hilariously Valid Points Asking people how they're doing as a matter of courtesy when you truly don't care and are hoping they just say "good hbu" in response.

TheMaskedSandwich , George Milton Report

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Black Rabbit
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is mostly just an American thing. Many of my Euro friends hear about this and are confused when they hear this and then actually start to say how they are or what's going on.

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#31

30 People Share Social Norms That They Find Weird, Make A Lot Of Hilariously Valid Points Balloons. Here's a plastic sack of my breath. Happy birthday.

stepdadsperm , Natalie Bond Report

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Black Rabbit
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Helium balloons are better than your own breath. Plus it makes your voice all weird. :)

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#32

30 People Share Social Norms That They Find Weird, Make A Lot Of Hilariously Valid Points I could give you a pretty detailed list. But I think one of the most weird and detrimental to society is beauty standards and impossible looks and body types.

daddyredneck80 , Ron Lach Report

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Malfar
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Everything is cool within reasonable limits. Not trying to be a Barbie is absolutely fine. Saying that a woman weighing 200 kilos is beautiful and shaming another woman for losing weight is absolutely not fine. Obesity is not healthy and not beautiful. Anorexy is not healthy and not beautiful.

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#33

LAWNS!!!!! ornamental grasses leech nitrogen from the soil while trapping almost no carbon. And then people spend time and money keeping their grass healthy, only to spend more time and money cutting it down when it does what healthy plants do ie: GROW

Meanwhile there's perfectly available varieties of clover that make great ground cover, grow to be less than an inch tall, and that actively sequester nitrogen deep into the topsoil.

I feel like a crazy person because nobody else seems to even notice the problem.

Darkality24 Report

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UpQuarkDownQuark
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I’m right there with you. Death to lawns and all the gasoline burned and noise made to maintain them!

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#34

30 People Share Social Norms That They Find Weird, Make A Lot Of Hilariously Valid Points It's baffling that only one gender is expected to wear make up and the other is discouraged. Just makes less sense the more that I think about it.

NaiNaiGuy , Ashley Piszek Report

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Lama
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A lot of gender norms are completely random and make no sense. And they are all meant to keep us busy and compliant, spending money, not worrying about the things that truly matter.

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#35

Getting really upset that sports team didn't win at sports game.

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Tucker Cahooter
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And conversely, getting too emotionally involved when the team you support do win. Jerry Seinfeld had a great line on this: "We won, we won! No, they won, you watched"

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#36

I feel like too many people talk on speakerphone. Do you remember when conversations were private?

kellykellyculver Report

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Boo-Urns
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Anytime I see someone in public on their speakerphone, I go out of my way to be as loud and obnoxious as possible.

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#37

30 People Share Social Norms That They Find Weird, Make A Lot Of Hilariously Valid Points Women being expected to legally change their last name for marriage.

mattpeloquin , Quinn Dombrowski Report

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Tucker Cahooter
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Even more than that, it wasn't all that long ago that a woman would be referred to by her husband's name rather than by her first name e.g. "Mrs John Smith"

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#38

Women's shoes. I am a man btw but I had this argument with my wife, I told her women's shoes were impractical, uncomfortable, many of them like heels are very bad but flat ones are also just as awful and just damn right pointless. Eventually, when i explain with most Men's shoes they are comfortable and robust and a little bit of rain doesn't soak them she suddenly went 'yea they are s**t' but said that's what we wear. Literally, a social construction for women to wear s**t shoes.

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Oerff On Tour
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They're not pointless. Just the opposite. Pointy tips that squeeze your toes till they hurt.

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#39

30 People Share Social Norms That They Find Weird, Make A Lot Of Hilariously Valid Points Women pay way more than men for haircuts.

Swimming_Stop5723 , Adam Winger Report

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The Scout
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not only for haircuts. Also for shaving supplies, face cream, shower gel... It is common enough to have aquired a nickname - the good old "pink tax".

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#40

I can’t think of a single reason for ties being the standard for business attire other than it’s a reminder to everyone in the room that you could be easily strangled at any time.

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xxx
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

One cute/cool thing that happened with ties was the small expression of individuality within corporate environments. Same with socks. You had to wear your suit but you often got to choose a tie that was interesting/had little hidden meanings.

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#41

Acquiring debt as soon as you’re an adult whether it be student loans, buying a car, or signing up for credit cards.

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Rens
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not just that but you are considered a poor risk if you don't have any debt??? I don't particularly care about my credit score but the fact that it's being held back because I don't have debts is insane!

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#42

Elbows on the table is apparently rude.

Shame they're often *exactly* the right height to rest my elbows on.

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Boo-Urns
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've been hearing this since I was a kid, and I've literally never cared or even attempted to follow it. Pure nonsense.

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#43

30 People Share Social Norms That They Find Weird, Make A Lot Of Hilariously Valid Points Purses seem super useful. Why are men seemingly universally afraid to carry one of their own?

Hungry_Treacle3376 , Wendy Wei Report

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Ace
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Where are you living? Come to mainland Europe and you'll see that they are very common with men as well. Totally practical, especially Now that everybody has a phone, as well as wallet, keys, ID documents etc.

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#44

Suppressing emotions = “strength”.

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Duane Ringlein
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I was born in 1952 and was raised by my family that men did not express emotions. That is so wrong, but still today have a difficult time.

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#45

30 People Share Social Norms That They Find Weird, Make A Lot Of Hilariously Valid Points Having listening devices hooked up to the internet in most homes.

ButterEmails54 , Burst Report

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Robert T
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They are no more of a risk than your mobile phone, and in fact the device stays put in one room, whilst you tend to take your phone into every room with you - including the bedroom. Knowing how "home assistants" work, I'm not in the least bothered by mine. They don't start recording until they hear their "wakeword" - everything stays local until then. You can even review the audio clip that was sent if your really want to.

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#46

Suspending kids for cutting class.

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baby frog
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

ah yes, i missed class so let me miss more. makes total sense

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#47

Blowing out birthday candles - basically blowing your germs all over cake you’re sharing with others.

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Mabelbabel
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

But if its family and very close friends, you'll have similar bacterial colonisation anyway.

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#48

Gen Z using various apps to keep tabs on the location of all their friends. They've literally normalized stalking. Then they flip out when someone turns off their location.

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#49

30 People Share Social Norms That They Find Weird, Make A Lot Of Hilariously Valid Points Having Constitutional rights when the justice system does not recognize them.

_mattske , Wesley Tingey Report

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The Scout
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Of course you have rights, as long as you can afford to push them through and your lawyers are good.

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#50

Taking photos of your food and sharing it to strangers who don't care. Most of social media posts are just a waste of time, people mindlessly just click like and move on.

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Kristal
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Disagree. I take photos for myself and share them (along with recipes or where I got it). I like food, looking at things I made and were proud of reminds me of that positive feeling. Same with a vacations (memories) and eating out (share local eateries). Man, this person thinks everyone thinks like them. No my dude, no.

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#51

How domestic violence against a woman is seen as awful, but when it happens to a man it's funny.

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#52

Posting about others' lives on social media, I guess. Or maybe it just annoys me that apparently, I(a legal adult) am not in command of my own privacy because my mom wants to publicize things about me at her seriously misunderstanding discretion.

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Hippopotamuses
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Then you need to have a really f*****g serious conversation with your mum.

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#53

Bringing a tree in your house once a year to celebrate the birth of a magical carpenter from two thousand years ago.

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Kristal
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Uhm, decorating a tree to celebrate winter is a Pagan practice that was stolen by Christianity for their holiday of Christmas. There is no magical Carpenter involved at all, just revering nature (they used to not be cut down but decorated where they grew)

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#54

Having social media.

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Dave H
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1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I agree with you, but (reality check ✔️) BP and reddit are social media.

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#55

Acknowledging other peoples sneezes. I’m done with it.

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JammaCoast2Coast
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We have a rule in our house, the 1st sneeze is acknowledged, after that, you're on your own.

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#57

30 People Share Social Norms That They Find Weird, Make A Lot Of Hilariously Valid Points Consuming milk from other animals and it is totally normal but mention consuming human milk by a non infant and you are crazy.

MartoufCarter , Hamish Darby Report

#58

Uniforms at work and I'm talking retail spaces. IMO Lowes has the right idea with a simple vest that says "I work here" but you can wear pants or shorts and a t-shirt so long as it isn't offensive. Some freedom of expression helps in the day to day. Saying it's gotta be our shirt (usually polo) and dress slacks is stupid and society doesn't really give a s**t .

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censorshipsucks
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

hmm no I appreciate retail uniforms it makes it much easier to spot staff who can help. I agree uniforms elsewhere are pointless.

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#59

30 People Share Social Norms That They Find Weird, Make A Lot Of Hilariously Valid Points Shaking hands (at least in America).

It’s gross. Most people have terrible hygiene or hand washing skills.

reginafelangi123 , Sora Shimazaki Report

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Black Rabbit
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Unless you've been handling raw meat or decided to wipe your äss with your hand instead of toilet paper, your hands are probably cleaner than you think they are. Shaking hands is normal and there's nothing weird about it. Chill out.

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#60

Long sleeve shirt and tie no matter how hot the weather.

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baby frog
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

wear short dress shirt and a vest with some nice shorts, i don’t care. i’m not judging

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#61

Getting small gifts for friends/family after a trip or vacation. At least for me this puts me in a perpetual state of giving and receiving gifts neither party wants so we just end up wasting money.

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Mat Hall
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My friends and I used to see who could give the tackiest souvenirs as gifts. It's fun!

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#62

All these random “rules” about texting people. Texting is supposed to be a medium to talk to people and they can respond at their own convenience.

Instead it’s turned into a puzzle of deciphering how long messages should be, how long should I wait before replying, do I double text them or not, did they read my message, why did they leave me on read, list goes on and on…

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#63

Cards.

I'm just giving Hallmark money in exchange for a piece of paper that someone's going to look at for about 10 seconds and then completely forget about.

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Cheeky chicken
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I keep certain cards in memory boxes and I really miss sending and receiving letters x

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#64

30 People Share Social Norms That They Find Weird, Make A Lot Of Hilariously Valid Points Needing the governments permission to be together and then also to break up.

Vip3r237 , Gabrielle Henderson Report

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hearditontheX
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Financial - wrongly taxes r cheaper for married people than singles. Huge need for that to be changed. Not necessary to explain the divorce finances

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#65

Open casket funerals. I know it helps some people with closure, but I'd just rather not.

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Ample Aardvark
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I know people who took a picture (and framed it, and displayed it in the wall) of dead relatives in their coffins. Very disturbing to me, but I was told it's tradition. Nah sorry, I prefer to remember them when they were alive.

#66

30 People Share Social Norms That They Find Weird, Make A Lot Of Hilariously Valid Points Having culturally pre-approved style options based solely around gender.

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baby frog
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

i hate dresses. i wear suits for formal things. i have short hair. it looks kinda like the boy emoji. i’m a woman. i get made fun of and yelled at in public for that but you wanna know the best part? i don’t care what they say. i like me and i’m going to wear what i want, get over it Karen.

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#67

You cant fart in public. I mean WTH man it's natural.

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Ace
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Believe me, you don't want to be in a public place where I've farted.

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#68

One day my husband and I were getting groceries and we needed more litter for our cat's litterbox, and then I had a thought.

How weird is it that we have to buy special dirt for our cat to poop in?

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Oerff On Tour
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Go to a automotive shop, and buy a 100lbs bag of grit for absorbing oil. It's exactly the same stuff, and costs the same as 10lbs of kitty litter in the supermarket

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#69

Everything considered drinking culture.

At first I wanted to mention the normalizing of casual interaction with AI companions and how dating Eva AI in your smartphone becomes socially acceptable as a social status, but we have a much simpler thing to remind. We've already created a dominant culture of self-intoxication and skill of going wasted *in an appropriate way*. That itself is so weird that all modern-day innovations seem negligible in comparison.

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#70

In the US, some jobs pay overtime and some don’t.

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#71

Holding the door open for someone perfectly capable behind you so they feel compelled to speed up to not inconvenience you from holding it for too long.

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baby frog
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

when i was like, two my mom and i were walking into a gas station and she held the door open for ME, but this guy just kicked me out of the way and walked into the station. she almost smacked him

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#72

30 People Share Social Norms That They Find Weird, Make A Lot Of Hilariously Valid Points Clapping. We show appreciation by smacking our hands together to make a noise.
 
u/luvinthemiddle added:
High-fiveing yourself for someone else's accomplishments!

FrightenedOfSpoons , Wolfgang Report

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Lama
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Silly Romans most likely made it popular. It was a form of audience participation, and just a convenient way to make lots of noise. So it's kinda weird, but also not that weird.

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