Standards for a life well-lived will obviously vary for everyone.
Though the internet will tell you there’s a few simple rules to follow—Don’t be a dick, Support one another, etc…—there can be those unspoken laws which you live your life by that no one else follows.
The silent credo you keep in your mind, guiding you towards being the best version of yourself.
Most of the time.
Self-preservation also seems to be a common theme among these rules.
Reddit user, Embarrassed_Age_8463, wanted to know what lifestyle rules to follow when they asked:
“What is an unwritten law you abide by ?”
You Live In A City, So Act Like It
“When walking in a busy part of the city or transit hub go with the flow of foot traffic, even if you’re lost, don’t abruptly stop. Step to the side where it’s convenient for everyone else, not just you!!” ~ VincentVanGoghst
Everything Gets Kept And Nothing Goes Away
“Assume anything you tell anyone will be repeated!” ~ Appropriate-Rough563
“To build on this, assume anything you put in writing could be read in front of a jury. Paper, text, email? Imagine what you’re about to hit send on gets read aloud to a courtroom before you hit send” ~ AdjNounNumbers
It’s Not That Hard
“Always let the people on the elevator get off before you get in.” ~ littlemisspuppy
“Same for buses” ~ vrettossss
“And trains.” ~ EmeraldMoose12
“And airplanes” ~ wessoflo
“Those people who stand right in the f-cking doorway when I’m trying to get off the bus make me so goddamn mad I’m scared one day I’m just gonna snap and shove them on their ass.” ~ SpookyVoidCat
Protect Your Kids
“Don’t let your kids be a nuisance to other people when in public. I’m not talking about babies and toddlers, but kids running around in restaurants or going ham kicking plane seats.” ~ Grumblegrumblehiss
“Not even just for others’ sake, but for their sake, too. I worked in a restaurant, and some parents would just let their toddlers and sh-t wander around while they stayed seated at their table. I remember when I found a 3-4 year old waddling around a room away from his mom in a packed restaurant and almost lost my mind.”
“I can’t tell you how many times my instinct to swoop them up and scold the parent/s almost took over, but I had to remain professional. I don’t mind a little rowdiness, but for the kids’ sake, stop being inattentive.” ~ MyLifeHurtsRightNow
Start High. Be Ready To Rescind.
“Respect is given”
“Disrespect is earned” ~ Rocky1963
“I agree that respecting someone as a person should be given. But people shouldn’t expect you to “respect their authority” just because their old or in a position of power. That type of respect needs to be earned.” ~ xxx148
It Makes So Much Sense
“Rechts stehen, links gehen.”
“Which is the German term for our unwritten rule that when you use an escalator, you use the right side if you want to just stand around and take a chilled ride, and that you use the left side if you’re in a hurry and want to speed up the ride by additionally walking up-/downwards.”
“They tried to officially abolish it in Munich, but we aren‘t having it. We Germans love our escalator rules.” ~ freakinandout
“London has this too, and as an American, I love it. When I go to the malls here, it makes me sad Americans don’t tend to follow the same idea” ~ olympusarc
Be Aware Of Your Surroundings
“If they didn’t extend an invite, I don’t ask to come. I know a few people who unknowingly try to intrude on trips/activities in situations it’s obvious that they 100% should not” ~ Burdturds
“Same. However, the flip side is don’t talk about group activities in front of people who aren’t invited.”
“Obviously, there is a difference between something coming up briefly and discussing it at length. “I’ll see you at the show next week.” Is different from “I can’t wait to go to the show next week. What are you wearing?” The second one is rude to do in front of people who aren’t invited.” ~ Zula13
Listen To People Who Show You Who They Are
“Don’t trust anyone who backstabs others in front of you” ~ Hoxtoful
“This was kind of a big thing in the military. There’s this presence of the idea that we’re all best friends and brothers and sisters and inseparable and will die for every one around us. I literally can’t count the number of guys I’d see hit the pier overseas and take their rings off then head into town.”
“Same guys would blow all their money, then come back to the ship asking for loans, “we’re boys right?!?!”. No dude, your own wife can’t trust you. I don’t believe a f-cking thing you say.” ~ aDrunkSailor82
What Kind Of Moral Character Do You Possess?
“Put the f-cking cart in the f-cking cart return like a decent human being.” ~ Whatsa-Throwaway
“There’s actually a shopping cart theory: ” The theory posits that the decision to return a cart is the ultimate test of moral character and a person’s capacity to be self-governing.” ~ MrEvetbody
Appreciate Your Fans, Confuse Your Enemies
“Always say thank you and please , even to asshole people, it works like a sarcasm to them . Edit 1 – Thanks everyone for the upvotes.” ~ _Virtual-Life_
“Ferengi Rule of Acquisition #76: Every once in a while, declare peace. It confuses the hell out of your enemies.” ~ AzraelleWormser
If Only Everybody Followed This
“Be kind if at all possible” ~ Basic_genXer
“Practice random acts of kindness when you are able to.” ~ Newstargirl
“But don’t brag about it. If it comes up in conversation that’s fine but I know someone who puts everything on Facebook for the likes” ~ SnooCapers9313
Be Honest With Yourself
“The real you is who you are when nobody is watching” ~ Unicorn_Boots
“But that doesn’t matter to anyone. In other people’s reality, the only ‘you’ they know is the one you show them.” ~ XxuruzxX
Do your best to stick to the unwritten laws you’ve set up for yourself.
It can only lead to success and a peaceful life.