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Say please and thank you. Make eye contact when having a conversation. Respect other people’s personal space. And please, never ever speak loudly on your phone when in a small, shared space.
Social norms are incredibly powerful. They let us know that we might not want to speak and behave the same way around our bosses that we do around our best friends, and they help us travel via public transit without infuriating all of our fellow passengers. There are plenty of unspoken rules that make our lives simpler, but there might be some that you disagree with as well. Just because society tells you something is right or wrong doesn’t mean you’re not allowed to question it.
Reddit users have recently been sharing examples of things society considers to be bad that are actually perfectly normal, so we’ve gathered a list of their most spot-on responses below. From circumstances we all experience to harmless behaviors that shouldn't carry any moral weight, this list is full of reminders that sometimes society’s rules are just arbitrary. Enjoy devouring this food for thought, and don't forget to upvote the replies featuring things you’d like to normalize as well!
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#1
Assisted suicide. If your pet does not have a good prognosis your vet will recommend putting them to sleep. Why do we make humans suffer to the bitter end? Sure, we give them medicine to make them comfortable, but why extend that timeframe if they nothing left to do? They made their will, they said goodbye, now they wait and run up a bill for their family to pay?? If you have terminal illness, you should be able to die with dignity.
#2
Doing nothing with my free time.
I work and have chores. When I don't have those things, I don't feel like hiking or scuba diving or anything.
I want to do nothing. Leave me alone.
#3
A lot of people are quick to call you "fake" if you're polite to those you dislike.
It's not being fake, it's being civil.
#4
Not having kids if you don't want them.
Having kids you don't want is bad.
#5
Abortion
Fewer children born into poverty or in situations where they aren’t wanted is a net positive. It’s actually been proven that abortion lowers crime.
#7
In my experience, some people see not being close with your family as a red flag. Not sure why. Like, sorry? I didn't get to pick my family. Lol.
#8
Waking up late. But getting a few more hours sleep is far more beneficial than some YouTube hustler saying you should wake up at 5 am for no reason.
#11
Mental health care. People want to pretend if you just ignore mental health problems, they will go away. Does cancer go away if you ignore it?
#12
Cultural appropriation. The spread of a culture to people groups who are outside the originating culture is a good thing.
#13
Talk about your salary. This literally just exist so that the working class doesn't talk about unbalanced wages and starts to question their bosses
#14
Using social services. It is what they are there for, and you helped pay for them.
#16
Being lazy, there is nothing wrong with spending the whole weekend just playing video games and watching movies! As long as you don't neglect your kids or pets during that time who cares what you did on the weekends or after work!
#17
sex education for people younger than the age of expected sexual activity
#19
Failing. Failing does not mean you are a failure. Just means you tried something and it didn't work out right. It is very possible that "Those who never failed also never tried." is true.
#21
Piracy for incredibly old movies/games etc. If its no longer available, then it should be encouraged if anything.
#23
**One example** of something that society considers to be bad but is not inherently so is aging. While aging is often associated with decline and loss, it can also bring wisdom, maturity, and a greater appreciation for life. It is often how society views aging and the cultural attitudes toward the elderly that are negative, not the process itself.
#24
Poverty. Have you noticed how most people treat those who make little money? Yes, there are some hard-core slackers who don't want to work, but most people work their asses off to make a living, and it's not because of laziness, but because of social or health reasons. It is worth remembering that one day you make fun of the poor, and the next day you are begging for your own bread. Be kind!
#25
Not tipping workers who do basic stuff like handing me a cup of coffee or a takeout bag. It’s okay to not want to pay 20% for just handing me stuff I bought.
#26
Voluntary celibacy.
People act like you're missing out, or wierd just because you don't want to have sex.
#29
Not having kids.
Stop asking people, you never know what they’re going through, and it’s nobody’s business.
#33
Having disagreements. Totally normally to disagree with people. It’s even more normal to disagree with your friends and still remain friends.
#34
Being comfortable enough to relax and find enjoyment at home. You shouldn’t need to constantly leave your home to find enjoyment. It’s not bad to spend those staying home without going out shopping, to restaurants, to special events etc. there’s nothing wrong with relaxing at home
#39
Knowledge, apparently. Seems like educating others and speaking on a topic you are certified to speak in is an offense to them somehow, so they think you're speaking down to them if you disagree with them.
#41
Helping others and gaining nothing from it. I don't mean like charity work but if I come across someone in need that might just need to talk to someone I don't mind being that person. Have a few friends that are baffled by that idea that I don't need anything in return to help.
#45
Showing affection.
What do you think ?
Appalachian Panda 1 year ago
I think someone there at BP needs to curate these lists a little better and remove repeats.
Snorky The Pig 1 year ago (edited)
Introversion, Having children before marriage (a big no-no in my area) Being short, Being average weight, not stick thin, Living alone, Veganism, Religion, Age gaps in relationships (within reason) literally ANYTHING in the world as long as 1) you are not hurting anyone, and 2) you are not pushing your beliefs unto others.
crowspectre (he/they) 1 year ago
Age gaps really, really depends. You can't say 'anything over 20 is bad'- what if a 70 year old and a 90 year old are dating for the first time? You also can't say that anything under, say, 5 years, is alright, because what if a 14 year old and an 18 yea rold were dating? That's creepy as f**k. It's about maturity level, not just age. The older you get, the bigger gaps can be without getting creepy. 50 and 60 is fine, but 15 and 25 is a problem
Load More Replies...
Sky Render 1 year ago
Also not bad but needlessly villainized: rejecting your assigned gender from birth, being open about having been born intersex.
Tessie Hickey 1 year ago
Good points!! Except cultural appropriation isn’t what you think it is! It’s when people of the majority use culture of a minority to profit or gain where someone from the minority culture would have been oppressed.
Justice Equality 1 year ago (edited)
I love the article, I just wish you would pay for someone to proofread and edit. Or add this to your list of now acceptable things, "misspellings and grammatical errors are now acceptable in articles."
Dianellian 1 year ago
Being petty or spiteful. It’s been glamorised lately and applauded. You frequently see it on BP and other social media.
Devin Singh 1 year ago
I thought this was gonna be real stuff. I came in here expecting American Cheese and Nickelback. But instead I freaking got platitudes.
Did I say that out loud? 1 year ago
So if through no fault of your own you're unemployed you should live on the streets until you starve to death?
Mackenzie Judd 1 year ago
Having to constantly "further yourself". Why? I'm happy and comfortable as I am, why do I need to push myself further to achieve more greatness or something
Shoshana Sherrington 1 year ago
Being religious. Religious ppl get the aggressive reputation but there is sooo much derogatory antireligious content out there that isn't even I don't believe in Gd but you are stupid and evil BC you do
Mikey Bullin 1 year ago
Don't forget annual evaluations at work and/or bonuses. Work Management wants that hush-hush. Favoritism shows then.
Meint Veldman 1 year ago (edited)
Ill put a very controversial one here. I am very convinced ' elitist leaders' , leaders that actually know more, know better, like in the past are often so much better than the current populism. Neither is ideal, but populism without ideals and true leadership is much worst for society than leaders willing and able to tell people they know better.
crowspectre (he/they) 1 year ago
Tell me you're racist and sexist without telling me you're racist and sexist (source; a white man)
Load More Replies...
Appalachian Panda 1 year ago
I think someone there at BP needs to curate these lists a little better and remove repeats.
Snorky The Pig 1 year ago (edited)
Introversion, Having children before marriage (a big no-no in my area) Being short, Being average weight, not stick thin, Living alone, Veganism, Religion, Age gaps in relationships (within reason) literally ANYTHING in the world as long as 1) you are not hurting anyone, and 2) you are not pushing your beliefs unto others.
crowspectre (he/they) 1 year ago
Age gaps really, really depends. You can't say 'anything over 20 is bad'- what if a 70 year old and a 90 year old are dating for the first time? You also can't say that anything under, say, 5 years, is alright, because what if a 14 year old and an 18 yea rold were dating? That's creepy as f**k. It's about maturity level, not just age. The older you get, the bigger gaps can be without getting creepy. 50 and 60 is fine, but 15 and 25 is a problem
Load More Replies... Sky Render 1 year ago
Also not bad but needlessly villainized: rejecting your assigned gender from birth, being open about having been born intersex.
Tessie Hickey 1 year ago
Good points!! Except cultural appropriation isn’t what you think it is! It’s when people of the majority use culture of a minority to profit or gain where someone from the minority culture would have been oppressed.
Justice Equality 1 year ago (edited)
I love the article, I just wish you would pay for someone to proofread and edit. Or add this to your list of now acceptable things, "misspellings and grammatical errors are now acceptable in articles."
Dianellian 1 year ago
Being petty or spiteful. It’s been glamorised lately and applauded. You frequently see it on BP and other social media.
Devin Singh 1 year ago
I thought this was gonna be real stuff. I came in here expecting American Cheese and Nickelback. But instead I freaking got platitudes.
Did I say that out loud? 1 year ago
So if through no fault of your own you're unemployed you should live on the streets until you starve to death?
Mackenzie Judd 1 year ago
Having to constantly "further yourself". Why? I'm happy and comfortable as I am, why do I need to push myself further to achieve more greatness or something
Shoshana Sherrington 1 year ago
Being religious. Religious ppl get the aggressive reputation but there is sooo much derogatory antireligious content out there that isn't even I don't believe in Gd but you are stupid and evil BC you do
Mikey Bullin 1 year ago
Don't forget annual evaluations at work and/or bonuses. Work Management wants that hush-hush. Favoritism shows then.
Meint Veldman 1 year ago (edited)
Ill put a very controversial one here. I am very convinced ' elitist leaders' , leaders that actually know more, know better, like in the past are often so much better than the current populism. Neither is ideal, but populism without ideals and true leadership is much worst for society than leaders willing and able to tell people they know better.
crowspectre (he/they) 1 year ago
Tell me you're racist and sexist without telling me you're racist and sexist (source; a white man)
Load More Replies... Related on Bored Panda
