Social norms are the unwritten rules that determine what is acceptable within a community and what is not.
Usually, they are those things we all just “know” to be true, and that are either rewarded or punished by members of that community.
From the way we form a line at a grocery store to the way we look for a partner, they govern both the small details of daily interactions and the major decisions that shape our lives.
But not everyone accepts these customs without question. In fact, some people feel certain conventions are baffling or even absurd. Recently, a post on r/AskReddit invited platform users to share a common social norm that they secretly find ridiculous, and the responses sparked an interesting discussion. Continue scrolling to check out the most popular entries.
#1
Job adverts posted without information on the salary. Are we really pretending as if the money isn’t a big factor as to why I’m applying?
Image credits: gummywormeater
#2
Scheduling workplace events outside of normal working hours. If you want me to attend, pay me for it.
Image credits: DeathSpiral321
#3
Not just letting kids be weird. My son used to wear the weirdest stuff and if we were going out I’d be like ‘Go for it! You’re six, live it up!” I do believe in making them behave, though.
Image credits: PlaysTheTriangle
#4
Paying thousands for destination bachelorette/bachelor parties.
Image credits: Accomplished-Day-105
#5
Wearing brand name clothing. As long as you have nice clean clothes on I don’t care what brand they are.
#6
Tipping. Thank God I live in Europe.
Image credits: King_in_a_castle_84
#7
Asking people when they’re “finally going to have kids”.
#8
Daylight Saving Time.
#9
Insurance companies thinking they know better than doctors about our health needs. I want to see that system crumble and disappear before the end of my life. Probably won't happen, but I still want it.
MissusNilesCrane replied:
Doctor: My patient needs prior authorization for X medication because generic isn't effective.
Pharmacy: The doctor says his patient needs name-brand medication for his patient.
Insurance: Does she really, though? Better check with the doctor.
The story of my life.
Image credits: ThingsOfThatNaychah
#10
Health insurance. You pay plenty for it. Yet you also pay a ridiculous amount if you have any sort of major health problem. What’s the point? The whole system is completely broken.
#11
Crossing my arms means I’m closed off.
Actually I’m just really comfortable standing that way. I do it all the time.
Moominsean replied:
I agree. Just standing there with your arms hanging feels kind of awkward and not particularly comfortable.
Image credits: It_is_me_Mike
#12
Everyone walking around with phones in faces even at a gym where they need to have thing in hands to work out.
Image credits: anon
#13
The idea that there are specific “breakfast foods” was just marketing made up by cereal companies to sell more cereal
I will die on this hill.
ebobbumman replied:
Aside from bacon and eggs, all our breakfast food is dessert: pancakes, waffles, muffins, donuts? It isn't acceptable to eat cupcakes and ice cream for breakfast, but is a muffin or a waffle covered in whipped cream just fine? It's bizarre.
Image credits: badgersprite
#14
The idea that men who take good care of their appearance must be gay.
#15
Doctors and really all providers who schedule an appointment and are expected to be late while you are expected to be early and penalized for being late. Doctors, meetings, interviews, service appointments… and copays before I receive a service of any kind.
#16
Two weeks notice to quit a job. They can let you go without even a seconds warning but if you leave without giving a two week notice you’re the bad guy and filed under “not rehireable”.
The entire idea behind the two week notice is so they could train your replacement but these days they often don’t really have anyone lined up for that. Then they ask you to stay on another week. Not your problem though.
Your employer is only as loyal to you as their bottom line allows. You’re just a number on a spreadsheet. Once you’re no longer useful, you’re out. So there’s no point to being loyal to your employer.
Image credits: masturbator6942069
#17
Having kids when you can’t even afford rent.
Image credits: morningsunzzz
#18
Having to hide a tampon or a pad when I go to the bathroom to change it because someone might find it embarrassing.
#19
Dropping 3 month salary on a shiny rock that is just an agreement to another even larger payment in the form of a ceremony.
Start your union by working through a pile of debt.
#20
Having to be available 24/7.
I miss the days before mobile phones. I might use the social side of my mobile twice a day, and I get constant complains about it. I won’t change. I don’t need to.
Image credits: Formal-Eye5548
#21
Being in a relationship.
Don’t get me wrong, it’s great to have a partner, but the amount of comments and single-shaming and false pity is so annoying.
I don’t need sympathy, I don’t need your unrequested help/ coupling in finding a partner, I don’t need unwarranted suggestions of what I need to change…
I am neither desperate, so please Mr. X stop hitting on me, a no is a no…
and nor do I need other women to think I am posing a threat to their relationship, so Miss Y, I don’t want your man, stop hating on me🙄.
Image credits: broken_banana_spirit
#22
Not having bra straps show, who cares.
#23
Having to say bye to every person when leaving an event.
Image credits: humming-bird5
#24
Pretending to like small talk when all you really want is to skip to the part where you can comfortably ignore each other.
Image credits: Wonderful-Neat-5341
#25
Funerals. Horrible use of resources and environmentally harmful. Also, it puts the grieving through so much unnecessary nonsense. My late husband had some serious forethought and refused to allow us to have a funeral. At first I was taken aback but in the end, it was so much easier on me and my kids. He wanted to be cremated and we spread his ashes in a small ceremony with close family when I was ready to let him go.
#26
Obsessing over celebrities or anyone in the media while neglecting your own present life and social circle.
Gino-Bartali replied:
Important to note that professional athletes are, without question, celebrities.
I follow the NBA to a minor extent, but I'm not tuned into it all hours of the day, nor do I let it make me start gambling because, apparently, we decided to regress a bit as a collective.
People who know every trade and every life story of every player are also sometimes likely to talk down on Swifties like they are any different.
Image credits: THom_took_Jonnys_H
#27
Being nice to a person but secretly gossiping or judging behind their back, why not to tell them the truth in the face?
Image credits: Mother_Ad5653
#28
Eating a food that you’ve previously expressed a dislike for to be courteous.
Like, if I say I like shepherds pie, someone makes it for me, and it tastes bad… I’m going to fake it to be polite. But if I tell people I dislike peanut butter and they make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for me, I’m not eating it. I won’t be rude about it, I’ll politely remind them and thank them for the effort! But yeah, no.
#29
“What’s your dream job?”
I think it’s weird to dream about work.
#30
Having to buy a card for every occasion – like, why do I need to pay $5 to say “Happy Birthday” when I’m already getting you a gift?
Image credits: Loud-Ad4097
#31
I secretly find ridiculous is the expectation to always respond with “I’m fine” or “I’m good” when someone asks how you’re doing, even when you’re clearly not. It’s as if we’re all part of an unspoken agreement to avoid genuine emotional exchanges in casual interactions, reducing a potentially meaningful conversation to mere pleasantries. It feels like a missed opportunity to connect on a deeper level, yet it’s so ingrained that we all just go along with it.
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Image credits: Armin Rimoldi
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