Like how we all face the door in an elevator or feel the need to say ‘ope’ when we almost bump into someone. What’s a silent rule of society that you find hilarious or totally unnecessary?

  • otp@sh.itjust.works
    27·
    21 days ago

    The elevator one seems pretty universal, but “ope” is regional.

    These kinds of social norms aren’t universal.

    One that I wish were more universal would be standing on the right when using an escalator, and leaving the left side for walking.

    • prettykat@lemmy.worldBannedOP
      8·
      21 days ago

      Interesting point! I guess ‘ope’ is my regional bias showing lol. The escalator thing is a great example of a rule that makes life so much more efficient, yet people still ignore it. I wonder why some rules like ‘facing the door’ stick so well, while others like ‘stand on the right’ are a constant struggle. Do you think it’s because one is about comfort and the other is about efficiency?

      • otp@sh.itjust.works
        31·
        21 days ago

        On the contrary, I’d say the elevator thing is only comfortable because it’s a social norm. Unless it’s a subconscious “face the door so you can see if any attackers enter” thing.

        The escalator thing is less universal because it’s something that helps other people, and not ourselves. This isn’t valued as much in individualistic societies like the ones in most of North America.

        • Mothra@mander.xyz
          5·
          21 days ago

          Disagree. First of all, you are in an elevator for a very short time, unlike with public transport for example. You might as well be facing the direction you need to go to, so that when the doors open, you go, instead of having to turn and then go.

          Second… I regularly take crowded elevators and while it’s true that almost nobody stands facing back to the door, it’s also true that easily half the people choose to stand sideways, facing the side walls. (Which btw makes someone with a pram or wheelchair easier to get into the elevator). It’s a mix of being ready to go and being able to rest your back against the walls of the elevator more than an unspoken social convention.

          Edit: hey well, at least in Australia. Maybe wherever you live everyone faces the door in an elevator.