20 Unspoken Rules Every Twentysomething Should Know (2024)

Table of Contents
1. Don't stand over someone's shoulder while they're at a computer. 2. If you're having a group conversation and someone isn't clued in to the topic being discussed, fill them in. 3. There are two types of people in this world: normal nice people who refill the ice cube tray when they use the last cube, and the jerks who don't. 4. The social transaction rule goes like this: If person A asks person B out on a date, person A should offer to pay. Person B can accept the offer or choose to split the bill. 5. If someone you're with says they're tired or they have to get to work early in the morning, that's your cue to leave. 6. Don't put up a fight when everyone decides to split the bill at dinner. 7. Always bring wine to a dinner party. 8. Hit the ATM before you go out. 9. Pay people back. 10. Don't point out noticeable features that the person you're talking to might feel self-conscious about, or can't readily fix. 11. Never tell someone they look tired. 12. There is never a need to remark on someone's weight, even if you consider it to be a compliment. 13. If someone wants to hang out and you're busy, don't just say, "I'm busy." 14. Don't be a flake. 15. If someone's driving you around, offer to pay for gas and tolls. 16. When it comes to food that isn't yours, never open or finish a package unless you have special permission. 17. If someone hands you their phone to look at a photo, do not — DO NOT — under any circ*mstance swipe to the right. 18. Assume all service workers are having a bad day and be nice. 19. If you don't like an idea, don't shoot it down unless you can propose an alternative one. 20. And finally, the cardinal rule of dating:

You don't ever want to be that guy.

by Peggy WangBuzzFeed Staff

1. Don't stand over someone's shoulder while they're at a computer.

20 Unspoken Rules Every Twentysomething Should Know (3)

Shutterstock.

Even if they've called you over to look at something, there's no need to hover for longer than necessary, or the worst: making a joke about something on their screen that you probably weren't supposed to see.

2. If you're having a group conversation and someone isn't clued in to the topic being discussed, fill them in.

20 Unspoken Rules Every Twentysomething Should Know (4)

The Clique Girlz / Rhino

Being exclusive is fun and all in ninth grade, but comes off as incredibly petty as an adult. You will always get extra points in everyone's book if you're the one who takes a tiny time-out to briefly explain a situation to the new participant.

3. There are two types of people in this world: normal nice people who refill the ice cube tray when they use the last cube, and the jerks who don't.

20 Unspoken Rules Every Twentysomething Should Know (5)

i.imgur.com / Via reddit.com

If you live with others and you don't refill the ice cube tray, you're probably also the same person who puts a new toilet paper roll on top of the empty one, and no one would want to live with you if they actually had a choice.

The same rule applies to the communal Brita pitcher.

4. The social transaction rule goes like this: If person A asks person B out on a date, person A should offer to pay. Person B can accept the offer or choose to split the bill.

Fox

Really simplifies the financial obligations of dating, regardless of gender, and can also be applied to non-dating situations.

5. If someone you're with says they're tired or they have to get to work early in the morning, that's your cue to leave.

youtube.com

Take the hint.

6. Don't put up a fight when everyone decides to split the bill at dinner.

20 Unspoken Rules Every Twentysomething Should Know (6)

Leonardo Di Vinci

Group dinners can be expensive and annoying if you don't drink or aren't as hungry as your cohorts.

If splitting the bill is something that truly bothers you, make a rule for yourself not to participate in big productions. You can get just as much (and sometimes better) social stimulation out of one-on-one meals.

7. Always bring wine to a dinner party.

CBS

Just effing do it. Even if you're not going to drink it. If you can't afford a bottle of wine, stay after and help clean up.

On a side note, whatever booze you bring to a party STAYS BEHIND.

8. Hit the ATM before you go out.

20 Unspoken Rules Every Twentysomething Should Know (7)

diylol.com

Are you the annoying person who NEVER has cash when you go out? You know, the person who can't contribute to the taxi fare, or has to wait forever at the bar to get a round of drinks? You probably don't know you're that person, but everyone else surely does.

9. Pay people back.

20 Unspoken Rules Every Twentysomething Should Know (8)

motifake.com

What sucks is that any person who is nice enough to lend money in the first place will inevitably feel guilty when they have to ask for it back. Here's a tip: If you owe someone money, add the amount to their name in your phone contacts.

Don't make someone sorry they did something nice for you.

10. Don't point out noticeable features that the person you're talking to might feel self-conscious about, or can't readily fix.

Shutterstock

This ranges from "Why are you sunburnt?" to "You know you have a giant pimple on your chin?" Chances are, they are aware of their own face. And you pointing it out does not help them feel any better about it.

11. Never tell someone they look tired.

20 Unspoken Rules Every Twentysomething Should Know (10)

12. There is never a need to remark on someone's weight, even if you consider it to be a compliment.

20 Unspoken Rules Every Twentysomething Should Know (11)

lydiamccall.com

Unless you happen to be an elderly grandmother who survived the depression.

13. If someone wants to hang out and you're busy, don't just say, "I'm busy."

20 Unspoken Rules Every Twentysomething Should Know (12)

memecrunch.com

If it's someone you actually want to hang out with, give them another couple of options in terms of time. They put the effort in to ask you to hang out, the least you can do is try to actually make it happen.

14. Don't be a flake.

20 Unspoken Rules Every Twentysomething Should Know (13)

quickmeme.com

Show up when you say you're going to show up. Being the serial flaky friend will almost always get you dropped in the end. Most humans would rather hang out with people who care as much as they do.

If you absolutely have to cancel, at least suggest new plans.

15. If someone's driving you around, offer to pay for gas and tolls.

20 Unspoken Rules Every Twentysomething Should Know (14)

picsfab.com

This is especially important if your friend is the only person you know with a car, or you are the only person you know who DOESN'T have a car. Either way, this car-driving person is a VIP in your life, and you don't want to be on their bad side.

16. When it comes to food that isn't yours, never open or finish a package unless you have special permission.

20 Unspoken Rules Every Twentysomething Should Know (15)

thatpainintheassvegan.blogspot.com

Or, in the case of finishing, replace it. ASAP.

[source: Reddit]

17. If someone hands you their phone to look at a photo, do not — DO NOT — under any circ*mstance swipe to the right.

20 Unspoken Rules Every Twentysomething Should Know (16)

iphoneevolution.com

Once you catch a glimpse of Naked Selfie or Face Full of Dong, your relationship will never be the same again, for better or for worse.

[source: Reddit]

18. Assume all service workers are having a bad day and be nice.

20 Unspoken Rules Every Twentysomething Should Know (17)

If someone is doing a job you wouldn't want to be doing yourself, they deserve your respect. And remember that just because they work for the company, doesn't mean they ARE the company or made up any of the rules.

19. If you don't like an idea, don't shoot it down unless you can propose an alternative one.

20 Unspoken Rules Every Twentysomething Should Know (18)

"So where do you want to eat?"

"Idk, anywhere. Honestly, I'm fine with anything."

"How about that new farm-to-table Taiwanese place that opened on Grand Street?"

"Looks pretentious."

"..."

STOP MAKING SIMPLE DECISIONS COMPLICATED.

[source: Reddit]

20. And finally, the cardinal rule of dating:

danandsherree.com

Don't pursue someone you know your friend likes/used to like without permission from said friend.

In special circ*mstances, crushes get a one-year limitation, but you should still ask first. Exes are pretty much a no-no. Use your best instinct.

20 Unspoken Rules Every Twentysomething Should Know (2024)
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