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Rules are necessary to maintain order and civil interactions. They are the guidelines to follow when the inner compass is conflicted or you’re simply unsure of how to behave. And even though most of the rules for public places have become commonsensical, once every blue moon, you may face something completely unexpected. A restriction that’s so oddly specific, you can’t help but wonder what happened here to have led to such a rule.

Bizarre public place regulations are a more common phenomenon than you might think. There’s even an entire subreddit dedicated to the best of them. For instance, a request asking people to yell out not a squirrel when returning books or a ban on playing volleyball at a certain time, in a certain direction. We have put some of the most interesting examples shared by the ‘Oddly Specific Rules’ community members onto this list for you today. Scroll down to find the peculiar rules and enjoy.

These oddly specific rules have attracted a community of 4.5k members during the five years since its creation. Users of the subreddit share the most bizarre signs they come across; some seem to be jokes, others—not so much, which usually raises so many questions. 

A few of these regulations seem to be based on certain past events, though. For instance, a sign on the piano saying ‘No Celine Dion’ probably means that someone’s heart (or ears, at least) can probably no longer go on. Similarly, a note by the single cheese slices, asking not to throw this type of dairy at children, is also pretty straightforward if you remember the 2019 trend of throwing it at babies.

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#5

This Question From My Job Application Still Confuses Me I Have No Idea How To Respond

This Question From My Job Application Still Confuses Me I Have No Idea How To Respond

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

“I’m under the age of 18 because I only have a Birthday once a year and it hasn’t been for 18 years yet.”

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Some rules are no joke, though. When it comes to certain routine things in life, such as traffic, for instance, real chaos would ensue without them. Anyone who’s ever tried getting a driver’s license knows that being familiar with road traffic rules is as important as the actual know-how of driving a car. And I’m sure there’s no need to describe what streets would look like if everyone stopped following the commonly accepted order. 

#7

This Sign Posted At A Tatoo Artist’s Shop

This Sign Posted At A Tatoo Artist’s Shop

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Some regulations we follow every day are less obvious but important, nevertheless. Known as social norms, they encourage us to act respectfully and responsibly and allow for easier co-existence in a community.

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The extent to which we tend to follow social norms differs from person to person. However, Scientific American pointed out that most of us abide by them because of a fear of some sort of punishment. Once it is removed, people tend to disregard such rules more.

#10

Don't Tell Me How To Live Dangerously

Don't Tell Me How To Live Dangerously

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

So um. My 6 year old can read now and randomly shouts out things he sees on signs. I’m not sure I want to explain this to a first grader.

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Games and sports are also areas that wouldn’t work without rules. Watching a group of people wander aimlessly around a soccer field or stand on the basketball court hugging the ball arguably wouldn’t be as popular as going to a sports game as it is now. (The alternative options sound as oddly specific and peculiar as most of the rules on the subreddit itself.)

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Quite a few rules from the sports world could make it to theses redditors’ collection, though. (They might not all be odd, but some are definitely specific.) For example, polo professionals can’t play left-handed, wrestlers must carry a handkerchief with them, and women can’t have more than two buttons undone during a chess match.

#12

It’s The Raccoon Choice, Not Yours

It’s The Raccoon Choice, Not Yours

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

Do not squeeze racoon to force poop. It is raccoon choice to poop on lucky people. Pig is less picky. Pig will poop on unlucky people too.

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#13

If There’s A Sign, There’s A Story

If There’s A Sign, There’s A Story

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Rules in the world of sports are there for obvious reasons. But it’s far from the only professional environment they are relevant at, as most other types of jobs follow some sort of regulations as well. Mind Tools emphasized that workplace guidelines help ensure the safety of the employees as well as protect the interests of the company.

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Mind Tools also pointed out that in order for them to work they have to be reasonable. There shouldn’t be too many of them (counting bathroom breaks might be too much), nor too few (an overly relaxed environment is also not the best idea for a business). It’s also useful to explain why the rule is implemented and what are the consequences if it’s not followed.

#16

The Fact That This Had To Be Put Up

The Fact That This Had To Be Put Up

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Rules also play an important role when it comes to raising children. According to US News, they help kids understand what’s expected of them, whether at home, in school, or elsewhere. Setting certain limits or boundaries teaches them valuable skills that might be beneficial in the future, and keeps them safe and secure (despite how much they might not like them and how many temper tantrums they evoke).

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#19

I Wonder How Many Babies Got Hit Before They Put This Up

I Wonder How Many Babies Got Hit Before They Put This Up

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

Probably stems from that short video of someone throwing a cheese slice onto a crying baby’s head, causing them to stop crying in surprise. Probably worked for a few seconds, but definitely not a viable long-term solution.

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#20

Normal Weapons Are Fine Though. Just No Nuclear

Normal Weapons Are Fine Though. Just No Nuclear

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Whether it’s kids, work, sports, or social interactions, rules can help in numerous ways. And if you’re still wondering how, browse this list of the best unwritten rules and try to imagine a life where everyone abides by them.

#22

I Always Say "The Horn Of Gondor" Louder Than Necessary

I Always Say "The Horn Of Gondor" Louder Than Necessary

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#25

Spotted At A Local Ice Cream Store

Spotted At A Local Ice Cream Store

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#28

Sat Test Registration Requires You To Upload A Photo Of Yourself. Apparently More Than One Person Has Uploaded A Photo Of Their Dog

Sat Test Registration Requires You To Upload A Photo Of Yourself. Apparently More Than One Person Has Uploaded A Photo Of Their Dog

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

But what if you're a really smart dog? So smart you're taking the SATs? Blatant discrimination!

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#29

How Often Does This Happen?

How Often Does This Happen?

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#31

Found In A Japanese Ancient House During The Visit

Found In A Japanese Ancient House During The Visit

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#32

No Poop In The Shower

No Poop In The Shower

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#33

I Like To Imagine This Was One Singular, Significant Incident For Someone

I Like To Imagine This Was One Singular, Significant Incident For Someone

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#34

Better Have Your Poop Knife Handy

Better Have Your Poop Knife Handy

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#35

Don't Hold Your Breath

Don't Hold Your Breath

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

As a kid I used to float in the water face down and see how long I could hold my breath. It took a while for me to realise why it was freaking the adults out.

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#36

Weirdest Sticker On This Cafe's Coffee Grinder

Weirdest Sticker On This Cafe's Coffee Grinder

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#37

Throwing Confetti Is A No-Go

Throwing Confetti Is A No-Go

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#38

I Guess The "Rule" Version Is Do Not Attempt To Bounce The Lip Gloss, It Will Shatter

I Guess The "Rule" Version Is Do Not Attempt To Bounce The Lip Gloss, It Will Shatter

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#40

You Could Get Double-Towed

You Could Get Double-Towed

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#41

Do Not Smell The Flavor

Do Not Smell The Flavor

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

I totally trust the in depth research that obviously went into that warning.

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#44

Guess I’m Not The Only Patient Who Suffers From Sticky Fingers

Guess I’m Not The Only Patient Who Suffers From Sticky Fingers

StaySeatedPlease Report

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

They must have had an old friend of mine as a patient. She used to empty everything in the room into her purse. She took one of those very bright hot lights used for gynecological exams and accidentally burned down her house!! Karma?

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#45

Ummmm Ok Then

Ummmm Ok Then

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#47

At Least The Spelling Is Flawless

At Least The Spelling Is Flawless

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#49

Some A**hole Probably Blasted An Attendent

Some A**hole Probably Blasted An Attendent

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

Probably not, someone more than likely just got water or similar all over the glass.

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#50

From A Local Ketchup Packaging

From A Local Ketchup Packaging

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

Those countries prohibit the import of poisonous foods. Thank Odin I live in 'merica. Fk yeah!

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#53

Buying Bread? You Need Real Dough

Buying Bread? You Need Real Dough

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

This isn't really strange, a lot of places prefer cash to credit cards since credit card companies will charge sometimes.

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#55

Gets Better If You Know Thai

Gets Better If You Know Thai

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

Thai: Do not step on sink. (from the reddit link under the photo).

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#56

Dont Be A S*itter

Dont Be A S*itter

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

I recon it’s that one person who announces when they’re going to poo in the chat

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#57

This Really Specific Sign

This Really Specific Sign

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#60

I'd Love To See The Reason Behind This One

I'd Love To See The Reason Behind This One

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#62

Found In Chicago School Of Art Institute Dorms

Found In Chicago School Of Art Institute Dorms

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

This doesn’t seem that crazy to me, allergies can be so dangerous. I had a coworker who had an anaphylactic reaction to a honeydew melon, epi for the win.

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