ADVERTISEMENT

We need rules. Apart from our bodies following some very strict and complex biological laws, without which we would not even be, even the very words we use follow universally agreed principles. Like this one, called English.

The political economist Elinor Ostrom (who shared the Noble Prize for economics in 2009) observed the phenomenon of spontaneous rule construction when people had to collectively manage resources such as land, fisheries, or water for irrigation.

She found that people construct rules together about, say, how many cattle a person can graze, where, and when; who gets how much water, and what should be done when the resource is limited. These agreements often arise from the needs of mutually consensual social and economic interactions.

But on the other end of the spectrum, we have the powerful, imposing their way of doing things from the top down. This is exceptionally evident in institutions. To show that it's not necessarily effective, let's take a look at a Reddit thread created by user ObviousEntertainer with the question, "What's the dumbest rule you had in school?"

This post may include affiliate links.

#1

30 Of The Most Bizarre And Just Straight Up Dumb Rules That People Had In Their Schools, As Shared On This Thread Needing to wait 10 minutes before and after classes have started to use the restroom.

My adolescent body with developing Crohn’s Disease did NOT take kindly to this rule, and got
Into fights with the bathroom monitor often (someone who would make sure nobody was in
the bathroom for too long doing drugs, having sex, other things of the sort).

Thankfully the Principal had a heart of gold and gave me a special pass to use his personal private bathroom which was so nice and clean. In a high school of 5000 teenagers, being able to poop in peace at the rate you go with Crohn’s Disease made my life somewhat less sh*tty (pun intended).

Auerbach1991 Report

Final score:
220points
Add photo comments
POST
View more commentsArrow down menu
You May Also Like:
#2

30 Of The Most Bizarre And Just Straight Up Dumb Rules That People Had In Their Schools, As Shared On This Thread No gloves, because only gang members wear gloves.
It's freezing cold and your gloves are bright pink? Take them off before someone thinks you're a member of the notorious pink gloves gang.

StrangeJourney , Eren Li Report

Final score:
166points
Add photo comments
POST
tahadata avatar
Lara Verne
Lara Verne
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's freezing cold and your gloves are blue? Wait, no, those are my hands.

Vote comment up
125
125points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
#3

In high school, they tried to implement a rule that guys weren't allowed to wear pink that was definitely targeted at a guy who was "one of the freaky people" who would wear a pink hello kitty shirt to school. It didn't work, though, because a large portion of the guys came in the next day wearing pink (including a lot of the football players, which shocked me a little) and the decision was overturned before the day was over.

srentiln Report

Final score:
156points
Add photo comments
POST
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#4

30 Of The Most Bizarre And Just Straight Up Dumb Rules That People Had In Their Schools, As Shared On This Thread We could not touch each other. All physical contact was banned.

There was one teacher that claimed if it wasn't for this rule, we would all be running around raping each other. Ah, yes, truly the time of my life.

MyrMilfordMeanswell , Spikeball Report

Final score:
146points
Add photo comments
POST
khwahish_n avatar
Nea
Nea
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sickos projecting their own perversions on kids.

Vote comment up
135
135points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
#5

30 Of The Most Bizarre And Just Straight Up Dumb Rules That People Had In Their Schools, As Shared On This Thread In grade school. We weren't allowed to fight back. That was the actual rule. A kid pinned me down with the help of his friends and started going at it. It was winter and he was wearing his big puffy gloves so it wasn't too bad, but I kicked him off of me and I got in an equal amount of trouble as him. A different kid a few years younger got suspended for a similar instance that same year.

When I pressed them as to what I was supposed to do, apparently I was supposed to "use my words". Yes because the most effective tool to stop someone beating the s**t out of you is to ask them nicely to stop. I loved that school, amazing teachers and support staff, but f**k the administration was terrible.

PopeOfDestiny , Mike Hauser Report

Final score:
139points
Add photo comments
POST
othornhill6792 avatar
Mrs.Pugh
Mrs.Pugh
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Bro, I'm remembering what they told us to do at my first elementary school if we were ever bullied. Put your hand out IN THEIR FACE and say "stop". Yeah, that totally wouldn't have gotten anyone's hand chopped off 🤷🏽‍♀️

Vote comment up
74
74points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#6

If you were absent too many days out of the year you got a 2 day suspension. Nothing like kicking kids out of school for not being in school.

Wubz_Jackson Report

Final score:
128points
Add photo comments
POST
View more commentsArrow down menu
#7

30 Of The Most Bizarre And Just Straight Up Dumb Rules That People Had In Their Schools, As Shared On This Thread My kindergarten had no doors on the toilet cubicles, but huge mirrors on the opposite wall. We all had to go at the one time. *everyone could see what you were doing. I have lifelong anxiety from this*

coma-toaste , ttarasiuk Report

Final score:
118points
Add photo comments
POST
changyuyang123_2 avatar
saltypancakes
saltypancakes
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It’s disgusting that adults think kindergarten children don’t need any privacy.

Vote comment up
129
129points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
#8

30 Of The Most Bizarre And Just Straight Up Dumb Rules That People Had In Their Schools, As Shared On This Thread Couldn't wear flip flops because they were considered a weapon but you could wear stiletto heels...

TheenotoriousVIC , madaise Report

Final score:
117points
Add photo comments
POST
alexia_1 avatar
Alexia
Alexia
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That reminds me... Our class had a small celebration in high school at the end of the year (it was something common). The janitor reported to the principal that we had brought condoms in school, which was outrageous, and that we were noisy and messy. The principal decided to ban such "parties". Bonus: those were not condoms. They were balloons. But nobody would to listen to us.

Vote comment up
58
58points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#9

30 Of The Most Bizarre And Just Straight Up Dumb Rules That People Had In Their Schools, As Shared On This Thread In middle school, if we said sorry we got in school suspension. The teachers claimed that apologizing is a form of lying and lying is bad.

Edit: We also weren’t allowed to have water bottles or to to a water fountain. The only time we got a chance to drink was during our lunch. We could also only to go the bathroom once a semester, or we would be have in school suspension.

i-ate-birb Report

Final score:
114points
Add photo comments
POST
tahadata avatar
Lara Verne
Lara Verne
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Logic has left the chat. Common sense has left the chat.

Vote comment up
141
141points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#10

At an all girls high school: No ankle socks because ankles can attract boys and make them have sex with you.

Ankles lead to legs. And legs lead to.... up there.... and we ALL know what's in that area.

(which also, according to the school was rape on the girl's part because you were making the boy want to have sex with you and boys, as you know, cannot resist so....)

scarfknitter Report

Final score:
112points
Add photo comments
POST
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
#11

30 Of The Most Bizarre And Just Straight Up Dumb Rules That People Had In Their Schools, As Shared On This Thread Clear or mesh backpacks only. This was from 1st grade through high school in the late 90s to early 2000s.

We also had to wear a safety vest as our bathroom pass in high school. It was such a joke that the first year the rule was introduced, our year books were a giant safety vest on the outside. Honestly the thought of a shared unisex safety vest for bathroom visits still grosses me out as I know those things were never washed properly.

Edit: This was before Columbine happened.

TheHolyZarquon , Wendy Harman Report

Final score:
107points
Add photo comments
POST
trishahowson avatar
Fluffy mommy panda
Fluffy mommy panda
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think all through middle school we had to to do this. In highschool we didn't crazy.

Vote comment up
13
13points
Vote comment down
reply
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
Don’t want to see ads?
#12

I wore the skull misfits shirt and they called me to the deans office and told me to turn it inside out. They said it was because it represented death.

I said “so it represents something that inevitably happens to every person, so I’m not allowed to wear it?” Then walked out. Never caught any flak for it, was pretty proud of my punk 16 year old rebellious self.

Mastadfosho Report

Final score:
104points
Add photo comments
POST
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
#13

In high school we had what they called "lock-out". If you were 1 second late for class the teachers would lock the doors and you were supposed to go to the cafeteria to get a detention for being late. Instead of getting a detention I would just leave school and skip the whole day and not get in any trouble. All because I was a few seconds late for class. Pretty dumb.

anon Report

Final score:
100points
Add photo comments
POST
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
#14

30 Of The Most Bizarre And Just Straight Up Dumb Rules That People Had In Their Schools, As Shared On This Thread No Simpsons anything. This was when it premiered, and there was this national scare that Bart was a bad influence. There were to popular Bart shirts that were banned, one that said "I'm Bart Simpson, who the hell are you?" and another that said "Bart Simpson, underachiever and proud of it"

This eventually evolved into banning all Simpsons shirts, school supplies, stickers, etc. after some of the teachers started watching the show.

dougiebgood Report

Final score:
96points
Add photo comments
POST
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#15

30 Of The Most Bizarre And Just Straight Up Dumb Rules That People Had In Their Schools, As Shared On This Thread No water bottles because a few girls 4 years ago snuck vodka into the bathroom.

thelastdodobird01 , bd914 Report

Final score:
92points
Add photo comments
POST
kayjunmoon avatar
Kayjunmoon
Kayjunmoon
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Banning bottles for that reason is ridiculous, there is always a way round the regulations, especially ridiculous ones.

Vote comment up
50
50points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
#16

30 Of The Most Bizarre And Just Straight Up Dumb Rules That People Had In Their Schools, As Shared On This Thread In primary school, we weren’t allowed to use erasers. We were never told why.

Whose_cat_is_that , Ralf St. Report

Final score:
88points
Add photo comments
POST
orourketrish avatar
Irish woman abroad
Irish woman abroad
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Where I work, some teachers will take the erasers away from certain kids, because they get so bogged down with trying to write the date and heading perfectly, and so caught up with perfectionism in total, that they get nothing done. Plus, they want to see where this child is getting stuck. A child who always writes a couple of letters and immediately starts rubbing stuff out is a bit of a red flag. (they do give them back, they're not monsters!)

Vote comment up
76
76points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
#17

The boys weren’t allowed to wear shorts at my middle school, but the girls could wear ‘culottes’ (basically shorts with a fancy name). One day about a hundred boys came to school wearing culottes. The Man had it stuck to him hard that day

ShavenWookie Report

Final score:
83points
Add photo comments
POST
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
#18

30 Of The Most Bizarre And Just Straight Up Dumb Rules That People Had In Their Schools, As Shared On This Thread We couldn’t wear winter clothing in class (coats, gloves, hats). Even with the heat on, it got cold in the winter inside the school so we just had to freeze. They said it was because winter clothing were gang symbols. This was a farm town in Wisconsin.

gouwbadgers , Alvin Mahmudov Report

Final score:
78points
Add photo comments
POST
othornhill6792 avatar
Mrs.Pugh
Mrs.Pugh
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What's up with schools and normal clothing looking like gang symbols? Do the administrators not wear clothes?

Vote comment up
90
90points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
Don’t want to see ads?
#19

30 Of The Most Bizarre And Just Straight Up Dumb Rules That People Had In Their Schools, As Shared On This Thread My middle school banned hugs. At least, they banned front hugs--the rule was against "chest to chest" contact, regardless of context or gender. No chest bumps after a game. Several girls got in trouble for hugging their female friends goodbye after school. It was a strange place.

Edit: To clarify, this was a public school in a suburban area in a liberal part of the country (US). I don't remember whether there was a ban against hugs from behind--I'll try to ask some old classmates when I get home and update if any of them remember.

proof_by_abduction , RODNAE Productions Report

Final score:
78points
Add photo comments
POST
View more commentsArrow down menu
#20

30 Of The Most Bizarre And Just Straight Up Dumb Rules That People Had In Their Schools, As Shared On This Thread Well 3 of them.

No mechanical pencils or any pens that click. Teachers found that s**t annoying.


No peeing outside the toilet or urinal. Common decency but if your caught, you would get a call to your parents. The rule isn't stupid, its actually really good, but the people who its targetted at are.

Zero tolerance policy. It's in nearly every school. I haven't had any encounters but it does strike people hard. Imagine getting beat up.... and getting punished for being beat up because you happened to be involved even though you did nothing. It's a d**k of a rule.

anon , mr_t_77 Report

Final score:
77points
Add photo comments
POST
owenthomasgeorge33 avatar
OwenHasADHD
OwenHasADHD
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Who in their right mind would take a p**s just...not in the toilet or urinal??? Where else would you go, on the floor??

Vote comment up
35
35points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#21

30 Of The Most Bizarre And Just Straight Up Dumb Rules That People Had In Their Schools, As Shared On This Thread We weren't allowed to wear shirts with pictures on them. That includes embroidered logos like you might see from Nike, Champion, or Polo shirts. Kids were wearing those shirts that had Bugs Bunny and Taz dressed up as Kris Kross and some parent or teacher thought they looked like gangsters. So the shirts were dubbed gang paraphernalia and the school wanted them banned but didn't know how to just ban those without some kid feeling targeted so they banned all shirts with pictures. We'd have free dress day about every two weeks (which devolved into whenever they felt like it) where you could wear a picture shirt, except for those dubbed "gang paraphernalia" (? why they didn't do that to begin with, over Kris Kross Bugs Bunny of all things I don't know). If you wore something with a logo on it you had to either cover it with masking tape or buy special labels from the school to cover it.


Yay for insane Christian private schools.

scarletnightingale , Karola Riegler Report

Final score:
77points
Add photo comments
POST
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
#22

My middle school had a rule; if you were sent to the office for misbehavior, you remained in the office for the rest of the day.

Knowing this, my first period teacher found every escuse to send me to the office. I missed all of my lessons and nearly failed 7th grade.

Warlokthegreat Report

Final score:
75points
Add photo comments
POST
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
Don’t want to see ads?
#23

30 Of The Most Bizarre And Just Straight Up Dumb Rules That People Had In Their Schools, As Shared On This Thread Non American here, We need to pay fine when we don't speak English in school. In every class, class leader used to note down student names who ever speak their native language other than English. This rule went on for 2 years and then they finally removed it.

itsmeart , RODNAE Productions Report

Final score:
73points
Add photo comments
POST
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
#24

30 Of The Most Bizarre And Just Straight Up Dumb Rules That People Had In Their Schools, As Shared On This Thread In middle school, had a stupid as all hell "one way hallway system", where students could only walk in the halls one direction. Made me late twice actually since my class was the first one behind the exit door, but forced to go in the entrance door. Was enforced even when halls were empty. One stick in the mud teacher threatened to write me up if I questioned the rule.

cakefaice1 , Joe Wolf Report

Final score:
70points
Add photo comments
POST
jacobs_vic avatar
FakeOptimist
FakeOptimist
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sure : write a kid up for questioning the rules. Should report that teacher to whoever taught them ethics and have his/her diploma revoked.

Vote comment up
37
37points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
#25

30 Of The Most Bizarre And Just Straight Up Dumb Rules That People Had In Their Schools, As Shared On This Thread In elementary school, we couldn't kick a ball at recess because the school was afraid we would kick the balls to the top of the building.

xxSovietRaptorxx , Yogendra Singh Report

Final score:
68points
Add photo comments
POST
danpadgett avatar
Dan Padgett
Dan Padgett
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't think a single school in the UK is allowed to operate without a ball on the roof.

Vote comment up
88
88points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#26

30 Of The Most Bizarre And Just Straight Up Dumb Rules That People Had In Their Schools, As Shared On This Thread At any point you may not talk during lunch, and may not laugh at large stools in the bathroom.
I s**t you not. (Excuse the pun)

Edit: I am from the UK

anon , Katerina Holmes Report

Final score:
63points
Add photo comments
POST
View more commentsArrow down menu
#27

30 Of The Most Bizarre And Just Straight Up Dumb Rules That People Had In Their Schools, As Shared On This Thread We weren't allowed to be indoors for more than five minutes at recess. This was in Canada and indoor recess started when it was below -25C. Instances of school-wide diarrhea really shot up during the winter.

punkterminator , gfpeck Report

Final score:
60points
Add photo comments
POST
mireetta avatar
Remi (He/Him)
Remi (He/Him)
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Our temp limit was -15°C. Above that you needed to go out during recess. Our teacher also liked to play this weird power trip where we couldn't check the temp ourselves and, if we asked it always seemed to be -14,5°C even when the news were saying it was gonna be a -20 something day

Vote comment up
28
28points
Vote comment down
reply
View more commentsArrow down menu
#28

30 Of The Most Bizarre And Just Straight Up Dumb Rules That People Had In Their Schools, As Shared On This Thread We could play Magic TG but we had to remove any offensive cards. Yes they looked through our decks to make sure. Good ol' Oklahoma.

volothebard , wetwebwork Report

Final score:
60points
Add photo comments
POST
mireetta avatar
Remi (He/Him)
Remi (He/Him)
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What makes a card offensive? And I bet someone tried to report a card to be offensive if they lost because of it too many times. "Teacher teacher! I think Wally's black lotus is really offensive!" 😄

Vote comment up
41
41points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
#29

When I was a freshman in high school (late '80s) there was a designated smoking area on campus. It was a square, maybe 10' x 10' painted on the ground in the courtyard. Students could only smoke in that box on campus. The next year they decided that you could only smoke in that box if you had a note from your parents. The year after that, no students were allowed to smoke on campus. My senior year, staff wasn't allowed to smoke on campus. This resulted in the box metaphorically moving to someone's driveway across the street, where students and teachers were all smoking together.

QwertyvsDvorak Report

Final score:
58points
Add photo comments
POST
stefaniepatterson avatar
BluEyedSeoulite
BluEyedSeoulite
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Smokers' Corner was also directly across the street on public sidewalk. I didn't see any teachers smoke there but my sister was a smoker and has different nemories

Vote comment up
18
18points
Vote comment down
reply
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
Don’t want to see ads?
#30

30 Of The Most Bizarre And Just Straight Up Dumb Rules That People Had In Their Schools, As Shared On This Thread When i was in middle school that god awful " Shrek is love Shrek is Life" video came out and the student council wanted to have a shrek spirit day because of it. So the school banned shrek and anyone who talked about it got a detention.

soccerdadsteve , Matteo Paciotti Report

Final score:
53points
Add photo comments
POST
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
Continue reading with Bored Panda Premium
Unlimited content
Ad-free browsing
Dark mode
#31

30 Of The Most Bizarre And Just Straight Up Dumb Rules That People Had In Their Schools, As Shared On This Thread It wasn't the rule, but the wording.

Grade 9, they made an announcement that you couldn't show your bum crack in the school. The admin decided to word that as 'no back cleavage'.

BastardOfTheNorth89 , TheeErin Report

Final score:
26points
Add photo comments
POST
View more commentsArrow down menu
#32

30 Of The Most Bizarre And Just Straight Up Dumb Rules That People Had In Their Schools, As Shared On This Thread Went to a Catholic school where there was a big white line painted across the schoolyard and during recess boys played on one side and girls on the other. We were not allowed to intermingle during recess even though we weren't separated during class or lunch. I'm a guy and all my friends were girls so we used to stand at the line and talk, go in trouble many times for that.

Also in high school, post Columbine, we weren't allowed to carry backpacks around the school. We had to leave them in our lockers and carry our heavy a*s textbooks around.

acmpnsfal , Elizabeth Report

Final score:
26points
Add photo comments
POST
jacobs_vic avatar
FakeOptimist
FakeOptimist
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sure, you can't start young enough with separation/different rules. Just send the women who stand behind this and the female relatives of the men to Iran....

Vote comment up
13
13points
Vote comment down
reply
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#33

In second grade, only one boy and one girl were allowed to go to the bathroom at a time.

I had to pee so bad that I was shaking and this kid took a stupid amount of time to get back. He finally came back and I had to wait in a line to his desk and he finally said I could go. Pissed myself on the way there.

F**k you, Mr Bennish.

BulletPunch Report

Final score:
26points
Add photo comments
POST
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
#34

30 Of The Most Bizarre And Just Straight Up Dumb Rules That People Had In Their Schools, As Shared On This Thread In middle school we weren’t allowed to chew gum. I was caught and had to write a 2,000 word report on the history of pizza. I wrote that damn report and my teacher forgot and never asked for it...

biochembabe10 , cottonbro Report

Final score:
26points
Add photo comments
POST
View more commentsArrow down menu
#35

30 Of The Most Bizarre And Just Straight Up Dumb Rules That People Had In Their Schools, As Shared On This Thread On the first day of class, my seventh grade writing teacher demanded that we all buy comfortable pens. On the second day of class, she went desk to desk sampling our choices. Several students (myself included) experienced awkward embarrassment when she slammed down our pathetic pens and shouted “NOPE.”

tvkyle , Aaron Burden Report

Final score:
26points
Add photo comments
POST
lyrehctoo avatar
CherylH
CherylH
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What is a comfortable pen? Comfortable to use? Isn't that subjective? Maybe what is comfortable for me is uncomfortable for someone else

Vote comment up
29
29points
Vote comment down
reply
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
Don’t want to see ads?
#36

30 Of The Most Bizarre And Just Straight Up Dumb Rules That People Had In Their Schools, As Shared On This Thread School-mandated haircuts.

Edit: Wow. This blew up. It was only for the boys, by the way. For the girls, so long as you didn't color your hair other than its natural hair color, you were good. Check up was every Monday, when we were lined up (according to height) for the flag ceremony because the school president wanted to share "all the good news" with us, which ranged from positive events, to one of their staff and students winning awards, etc. The prefect was very strict about it, but the teachers weren't so we'd just skip mornings every few Mondays so we didn't have to get a haircut.

Mist3rTryHard , CARLOS MAGNO Report

Final score:
25points
Add photo comments
POST
jacobs_vic avatar
FakeOptimist
FakeOptimist
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A son of someone I know has long hair : past his shoulder blades. That school would be in só much trouble... Edit : he's planning to donate it to his cousin when it's half a metre

Vote comment up
14
14points
Vote comment down
reply
View more commentsArrow down menu
#37

30 Of The Most Bizarre And Just Straight Up Dumb Rules That People Had In Their Schools, As Shared On This Thread They boys were not allowed to have doors on our stalls (we had a brick wall about 4ft high between toilets with nothing in front). They said boys would ruin them.

FutureSeniorCitizen , Gabor Monori Report

Final score:
24points
Add photo comments
POST
kayjunmoon avatar
Kayjunmoon
Kayjunmoon
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I actually think the people who make these types of rules have dirty minds. They worry what goes on behind closed doors.

Vote comment up
24
24points
Vote comment down
reply
View more commentsArrow down menu
#38

30 Of The Most Bizarre And Just Straight Up Dumb Rules That People Had In Their Schools, As Shared On This Thread I was in the First Grade. We only had one recess and it was in the late afternoon. We had to walk in a straight line to the playground, stand in the playground yard in a straight line quietly while the two teachers who pulled playground duty lead us through some basic exercises.

Here is the problem: We are FIRST GRADERS. It's late afternoon. And you HONESTLY expect us to stand there on a playground after an entire day of sitting in class at our desk doing work and listening to instructions and only having one break (lunch) and do basic exercises while standing on a f*****g playground? I am a sadist and this school taught me how to do it well.

And when we wouldn't properly do what we were told, the basic exercises continued, meaning less time playing and burning energy and having just a little bit of fun during the day.

Some time in January something happened and we royally pissed off those two teachers. So when they pulled recess duty there was no exercising and playing. No. We had to stand in line for the entire recess period. So about twice a week for the remainder of the school year.

This school taught me sadism, taught me well...

GreatJanitor , RODNAE Productions Report

Final score:
24points
Add photo comments
POST
ianbtaggart avatar
Anonymous
Anonymous
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is why PE and recess are two different things.

Vote comment up
8
8points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#39

I went to a primarily White High School. There was almost no gang problems or race problems. We had probably 20 black kids out of 1,500. One rather popular black student/athlete (who later played in thr NFL for 10 years) was the only kid in school to ware a do rag. For no reason they started a no Do-Rag or Bandana policy. This student clearly felt singled out and decieded to test the Administrations limits and wore he Do Rag anyway. He was confronted by the princeable and suspended the day before the 1st district football game of his senior year. There is a parking lot not on school grounds overlooking our football field that you can see from the stands. He watched the game with his do rag from that parking lot. Everytime we scored we made sure we pointed to him to draw attention to the fact he was watching the game from a distance. The whole student body wore white T-Shirts wrapped around their heads with "FREE @%&$" written on it with Sharpie.

Patsx5sb Report

Final score:
21points
Add photo comments
POST
View more commentsArrow down menu
#40

In my elementary school my teacher made a rule after the first quarter where if your assignment was not fully in cursive you would automatically fail no matter how much you did and how well. The worst part is that we didn’t know how to write cursive and we were still learning it.

Thunderhelm666 Report

Final score:
20points
Add photo comments
POST
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
Don’t want to see ads?
See Also on Bored Panda
#41

You are not allowed to have fake pockets, for no reason, out of the blue just a new rule. In home room the teacher would check to see if you have any fake pockets. The rule is no longer enforced, but a teacher still have the power to enforce it
Then the same school banned Spanish one day, it was a detention if someone said a Spanish word
At my school teaches can give you demerits for what they deem bad, which lead to one teach giving out 2 demerits ( 4 demerits is a detention) for any made up words. The reasoning was that we would sometimes substitute made up words for our swears, so someone would say what the fluka, or just say a random sounds out of boredom

thatguywholikecake Report

Final score:
20points
Add photo comments
POST
aerose101 avatar
Amanda Rose
Amanda Rose
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not allowed to have fake pockets. They clearly haven't seen women's pants before.

Vote comment up
37
37points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
#42

At my elementary school they would turn the lights off in the cafeteria after most kids got their food. Lights off meant "No talking". It also meant that 300 kids had to eat in the dark. If you spoke, the teachers pounced on you and you got instant detention. It wss ridiculous. This was every day, not just for an announcement or something.

jvanstone Report

Final score:
19points
Add photo comments
POST
boblacapra avatar
Bob La Capra
Bob La Capra
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The bus driver on the 15 minute shuttle between the elementary and high schools demanded absolute silence during the trip. A pretty tall order for 25-30 kids all under the age of 10.

Vote comment up
10
10points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#43

Buses were not allowed to depart at the end of the school day until the flag on the flagpole outside the main entrance had been taken down and properly put away.

If someone forgot, all the buses would sit there idling for as long as it would take until the flag was dealt with.

Back2Bach Report

Final score:
17points
Add photo comments
POST
View more commentsArrow down menu
#44

cant wear red to school. so stupid

cantcooklovefood Report

Final score:
17points
Add photo comments
POST
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
#45

In elementary school, when we’d line up at the water fountain after recess, a teacher would be standing next to us and counting “1... 2... 3... times up!”They had a b******t three second rule at the water fountain!

Gregd86 Report

Final score:
17points
Add photo comments
POST
mytholocats avatar
Locke Lamora
Locke Lamora
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I believe we had a five-second rule in elementary. If you were still thirsty, you’d have to go to the back of the line and wait again.

Vote comment up
22
22points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
#46

30 Of The Most Bizarre And Just Straight Up Dumb Rules That People Had In Their Schools, As Shared On This Thread No one could wear Joe's Crab Shack shirts. At first it was just the tie-dye ones that said, "Peace, Love & Crabs."

Because of the implication of sex and pubic lice I suppose? It was a stretch. But then they expanded to any Joe's Crab Shack shirts.

My friend had to wear a PE shirt all day because her shirt was a Joe's Crab Shack shirt. It didn't have "offensive" slogan on it. It just had a picture of a crab and the restaurant's name. She still had to change shirts. She was so embarrassed because no one wants to wear your PE shirt all day.

DefectiveCat57 , Sparkles Tuey Report

Final score:
16points
Add photo comments
POST
basedwang12-4 avatar
BasedWang12.4
BasedWang12.4
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I got a couple raised eyebrows for my Hooters shirt in grade school

Vote comment up
2
2points
Vote comment down
reply
ADVERTISEMENT
Don’t want to see ads?
See Also on Bored Panda
#47

I'd broken my middle finger nail below the white bit, but it wasn't super bad so I'd used clear nail polish to hold it together and make it stronger until it had grew out enough to clip away.

My high school had a strict no nail polish policy, but I thought that it was just the one nail for a legit reason, maybe they'd be cool.
No one said anything to me it had almost grown out and it was three weeks before the final exams when we were doing revision I was in biology.

My teacher looked at my nail, saw clear polish and told me to take it off. I explained the situation, mentioned that it was clear and said I'd take it off as soon as the break grew out and this lady just wasn't having it.

Apparently taking off one f*****g nail's worth of clear polish was more important than revising for my f*****g exams. I got sent out of the class because I refused, and I was super pissed.

TheNope1 Report

Final score:
16points
Add photo comments
POST
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#48

Hair couldn’t be extreme, colored or past earlobes for guys as it would be considered a distraction to others. I had long hair past my shoulders and would not cut it. Was in ISS a lot. It’s a silly thing to get detention for. Kids don’t go to school to be told how to dress and how they *should* look. I remember how much of an impact the breakfast club movie had on me in my junior high days.

Raging_Taurus Report

Final score:
15points
Add photo comments
POST
joshuamoon avatar
Joshua Moon
Joshua Moon
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I got kicked out of school my freshman year for having green hair. School dress code only said that hair has to be a natural color. My counter was that grass is green and grass is natural. My principal lost his mind when I walked into school. Made me wash my hair thinking it was temporary hair dye. But it wasn't. I laughed at him the entire time I'm washing my hair in the boys room. He finally realized it isn't washing out so he suspends be until I dye my hair back. I said fine bye. After three days he calls me mom and tells her I'm expected back to school regardless of my hair color.

Vote comment up
27
27points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
#49

Our school 'banned' black socks. It was a public high school in a predominately poor neighbourhood so the parents didn't give a s**t and bought whatever socks were cheapest or didn't have the money to buy all brand new socks again.


It got to a point where we'd have whole school assemblies on it and the teachers threatening to suspend kids from school, for wearing black socks.

makingpizzas4lyfe Report

Final score:
15points
Add photo comments
POST
derekskiba avatar
Derek Skiba
Derek Skiba
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When you wear clothes that are the principal's least favorite color: GANG

Vote comment up
19
19points
Vote comment down
reply
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
Don’t want to see ads?
See Also on Bored Panda
#50

In middle school we weren't allowed to talk at lunch or else we would get put up on the wall and get handed a detention. Like a clean version of hell.

Evilwidget Report

Final score:
15points
Add photo comments
POST
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
#51

In grade school we were told not to use spoons. Only babies used spoons.

Yet they gave us spoons.

pkimbrel Report

Final score:
14points
Add photo comments
POST
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
#52

You have to ask permission to have a drink. This rule got ignored when I was in year ten, but I still remember one teacher just screaming at me for taking a sip of water on a hot day.

Daniel_De_Bosola Report

Final score:
14points
Add photo comments
POST
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
#53

No colored shoelaces—apparently it was a sign of gang affiliation

No toe shoes—it looked too much like you were wearing only socks

No eating outside the cafeteria—this was to reduce litter in the hallways but our school cafeteria could only fit 100-ish people so everyone ignored it. They tried enforcing it by “guarding” the cafeteria doors so those buying lunch couldn’t leave but then people just stopped buying school lunch

Edit: for clarification

Glissando365 Report

Final score:
13points
Add photo comments
POST
audrey-saintalme974 avatar
Error 404 (He/They)
Error 404 (He/They)
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Been scrolling for 5 minutes and I have never Seen the word "gang affiliation" that many Times in my life

Vote comment up
14
14points
Vote comment down
reply
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#54

Girls couldn't wear tank tops because showing armpits wasn't allowed but guys could wear wife beaters. Made no sense. No chains on wallets back in the day when chain wallets were the thing so dudes replaced their chains with pearl necklaces as an FU to admin. No black lipstick allowed. Oh, and they were really concerned about Starter jackets and gang activity. This was a small farm town of like 700, total overreaction. Also most high schools allow you to attend a shorter day if you've met your graduation credits but we had to sit all day and sometimes that meant having 2-3 study halls if we had already met requirements. Such a waste of time.

AmbieAttackMode Report

Final score:
13points
Add photo comments
POST
boblacapra avatar
Bob La Capra
Bob La Capra
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I had most of my graduation credits met by my senior year but instead of 2-3 study halls a day I took Phy Ed with the 7th and 10th graders.

Vote comment up
5
5points
Vote comment down
reply
View more commentsArrow down menu
#55

In primary school, we weren't allowed to put our rubbish from our lunches in the bin. I distinctly remember being in an assembly, where there headteacher said "your lunchbox is your bin".

I mean, did she think the bins we're for decoration? So stupid

Jorden99 Report

Final score:
13points
Add photo comments
POST
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
Don’t want to see ads?
#56

I remember that once a teacher yelled at me for walking fast om the hallway


Like, those kids over there block all the path playing with kendamas , in the bathroom 3 guys fight and in that classroom they play sh*tty music loudly but somehow I'm the problem

anon Report

Final score:
13points
Add photo comments
POST
#57

In 3rd grade we had to have "play mates"

It basically meant that we couldn't play with our friends on the breaks/recess, we had to play in a group, that group was filled with students from other classes too, not fun.

Gagnef03 Report

Final score:
12points
Add photo comments
POST
View more commentsArrow down menu
#58

30 Of The Most Bizarre And Just Straight Up Dumb Rules That People Had In Their Schools, As Shared On This Thread "No hats" was basically the only dress code my school had. The dumbest thing was moreso the reasoning behind it. It was put into effect after Columbine because apparently different groups (jocks, nerds, goths, etc.) wore different headgear to differentiate themselves.

Bourbontoulouse , Fábio Alves Report

Final score:
12points
Add photo comments
POST
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#59

No one was allowed to have or say the word "Dr. Pepper" because it was the password to a shared Brazzers account the administration found out about.

Kandranos Report

Final score:
12points
Add photo comments
POST
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
#60

We weren't allowed to show our shoulders at all. Officially, the dress code stated that shirt straps couldn't be under 3 inches in width. However, people got written up daily for wearing even a t-shirt with sleeves that were too short. This also applied to the choir/band trip we took to California, where the girls weren't allowed to wear tank tops or shorts (even the ones within the dress code) because it made our male principle "uncomfortable." Spent that entire trip sweating my a*s off while the guys got to wear shorts and I'm still bitter about it over 10 years later.

facelessmage Report

Final score:
12points
Add photo comments
POST
View more commentsArrow down menu
#61

Tiny school that required students to wear name badges to help prevent a shooting. The teachers and principals would call you out by name for not wearing one.

anon Report

Final score:
12points
Add photo comments
POST
orourketrish avatar
Irish woman abroad
Irish woman abroad
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So many of these are connected to school shooting. What kind of surrealistic country is it where children are restricted and penalised, while the root of the problem is not addressed?

Vote comment up
31
31points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
Don’t want to see ads?
#62

In primary school, pens were banned and everything had to be done in pencil. Vice versa in secondary school.

We also had a rule where you weren't allowed to change seats in the dining hall once you'd sat down for the first time. Very hard to enforce, but we all stuck to it.

Eddie_Hitler Report

Final score:
11points
Add photo comments
POST
fredneobob90 avatar
Huddo's sister
Huddo's sister
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We only had to use pencil in primary school until our cursive writing was legible enough for us to earn our pen license, in grade 3 or 4. Then we had to use pen for English but could choose for other subjects I believe. In high school we could use pencil for most things, except essays, though pen was preferred. At least with pencil they didn't have to worry about the mess white out inevitably caused! Thank goodness white out tape was created before I finished school :)

Vote comment up
1
1point
Vote comment down
reply
View more commentsArrow down menu
#63

Junior high was riddled with stupid rules. Most of them had to do with our general appearance. One time I got sent home because my pants *weren't the correct shade of blue* to match the ugly a*s uniform. The principal had to *drive me home so I could change pants!* Wasted valuable hours of my school day and education just because of a color.

EDIT: a word.

anon Report

Final score:
10points
Add photo comments
POST
spaggie1 avatar
Brenda Spagnola-Wilson
Brenda Spagnola-Wilson
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Had a VP most girls hated. She didn't like my BFF for some reason, but liked me (office aid). Once she told BFF she had to wear some nasty old gym clothes saying hers didn't meet code. They stunk, didn't fit & were ripped. Said her parents didn't return calls, not true. Gave her my pants & extra t-shirt (for after school stuff). Then called her mom from the main office. She was there in 30 minutes, caught VP accusing BFF of stealing clothes. It wasn't pretty, mom for the win

Vote comment up
4
4points
Vote comment down
reply
View more commentsArrow down menu
#64

* boots were banned because they "promoted thuggish, anti-social behaviour". I wore steel toe-capped boots for the entire time I was there because I found them more comfortable than shoes and no one noticed...well, except the bully who got dropped kicked in the crotch because I'd had enough of his s**t. He noticed.

* boys had to have short hair as long hair was a distraction. I decided to f*k da police and grow mine out. That caused a few arguments.

* we were allowed to wear our own coats over the top of our uniforms when going to/from school. Just so long as they were black and conformed to certain styles. No one paid any attention as it was completely unenforceable.

* in sixth form, girls were allowed to wear whatever they wanted to. Boys still had to wear a shirt and tie selected from a very small range of colours. When we complained about the double standards, the school graciously allowed us to select two additional colours.

The school's excuses for all of this was to prevent bullying and prepare us for the workplace. Kids just found other reasons to bully each other and I've never had a job that required a three-piece suit.

Shas_Erra Report

Final score:
10points
Add photo comments
POST
spaggie1 avatar
Brenda Spagnola-Wilson
Brenda Spagnola-Wilson
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

While uniforms made dressing kid easier, I moved him the next year. 2 colors of pants - only purchased at 1 store. 3 colors shirts short sleeves. Long sleeves had to be bought from school as well as sweaters.- no other sweaters allowed. White shoes and socks only. Girls in dresses, jumpers or skirts only until they decided it was cold enough for pants. Only basic hair accessories. No bows, ribbons etc. This was a public school in a fairly poor area. 2 years later uniforms were voted out. Stupid rules

Vote comment up
3
3points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#65

No ballpoint pens.

GummyToken Report

Final score:
9points
Add photo comments
POST
god_2 avatar
Vix Spiderthrust
Vix Spiderthrust
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yes, we had to use fountain pens. No good reason for it, just pure snobbery.

Vote comment up
9
9points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
#66

At my grade school we weren’t allowed to wear ankle socks. You would get detention if you did.

anon Report

Final score:
8points
Add photo comments
POST
#67

In my high school you can't play cards unless it's uno since playing cards are used for gambling. My best friend got detention for clapping,even though a lot of other people were clapping, because he "disturbed the lunch period" and supposedly started it all even though he didn't. You can't sing happy birthday in the cafeteria. You can't do a promposal on school grounds.

EverGreatestxX Report

Final score:
8points
Add photo comments
POST
nicholasmontgomery avatar
Nicholas Montgomery
Nicholas Montgomery
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Bring in like 30 decks of cards and slowly spread the cards around the hallways. then deny deny deny. or start betting over random stuff such as sports games and point out the hypocricy.

Vote comment up
3
3points
Vote comment down
reply
View more commentsArrow down menu
#68

In middle School, the dress code dictated you had to tuck your s**t in. Which might not be a big thing but they took it so seriously. I think they're reasoning was it was more professional? I guess? It was never really explained and they were handing out detentions for this s**t left and right

Blind_Wolf Report

Final score:
7points
Add photo comments
POST
censorshipsucks11 avatar
censorshipsucks
censorshipsucks
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

my school had that plus ties plus jackets had to be buttoned and worn at all times even on hot days.

Vote comment up
3
3points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
Don’t want to see ads?
#69

My fifth grade teacher hated the smell of mint or fruity things. Had a strong sense of smell when it came to it, one day I was eating some jolly ranchers my buddy gave me & when while in the middle of taking a test she started sniffing & walking around the class. When she got to me, she knew... put her hand down just under my chin & actually made me spit them into her hand.. wut. Leading to her implementing a rule for no types of candy in class or that fruity smelling kids perfume for the girls.

TL:DR teacher hated fruity/minty smells, made me spit jolly ranchers into her hand & banned candy from her classroom.

IceTollThis Report

Final score:
7points
Add photo comments
POST
laura_ketteridge avatar
Laura Ketteridge
Laura Ketteridge
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I am amazed that candy and sweets were ALLOWED in the class to being with.

Vote comment up
8
8points
Vote comment down
reply
View more commentsArrow down menu
#70

At my high school, students were not allow to use the restrooms during lunch.

huynhhere Report

Final score:
7points
Add photo comments
POST
sonia_8 avatar
Queerios
Queerios
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Huh. At my school they get annoyed when you go during class and tell us “you should’ve gone at lunch”

Vote comment up
11
11points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
#71

In high school you were not allowed to use the football field unless you were on the football team. That meant that if gym class wants to be held outside the only thing we were allowed to do is run around the outside of the field. The reason they gave was they spent one and a half million dollars to renovate the field and that was reserved for only the football team. Got to love Catholic School.

heckhammer Report

Final score:
6points
Add photo comments
POST
ADVERTISEMENT
#72

Girls could have piercings but guys couldn't. Did it anyway, it was a very mediocre school.

Revenge_of_the_Toast Report

Final score:
6points
Add photo comments
POST
derekskiba avatar
Derek Skiba
Derek Skiba
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Girls just wanna have fun, and so do guys and non binaries!

Vote comment up
13
13points
Vote comment down
reply
View more commentsArrow down menu
#73

when i was in grade 8, we had to write our homework in our agendas and if a parent didn't sign it that would result in a detention.

nomoreanxietyy Report

Final score:
6points
Add photo comments
POST
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
#74

NO POMEGRANATES!!!

ComplexSpell Report

Final score:
6points
Add photo comments
POST
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu

Anyone can write on Bored Panda. Start writing!

Follow Bored Panda on Google News!