12 Strange Social Norms That Defy Convention


Woman Saying No

Our modern society has many norms and conventions, some more popular than others. They range from shaking hands to being kind to older people. Many of these norms are great, but these customs can be pretty weird and messed up when you think about them. 

Paying for a Funeral

Portrait Of Young Couple Wearing Black Grieving Together And Embracing
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One of the weirdest social norms is: “Paying tens of thousands of dollars to bury corpses in the ground,” answers a poster.

Moreover, “We are paying to embalm corpses so they are preserved for a long time in wooden/metal boxes, using up valuable space.”

People Expect You to Get Along With Toxic Family Members

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It is also weird that people, including your family members, expect you to tolerate toxic family members. They will use phrases like, “But they are family,” or “You’ll regret it when they are gone.” No, toxic is toxic, and ‘you don’t owe them anything.’ 

Expectations to Have a Huge Wedding

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“The expectation of having a wedding at all” or a huge wedding is another overrated social norm. People criticize you for not getting married or for holding a small wedding. 

Garter Toss

Wedding Setup Venue
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“Really creepy custom. I don’t need to see my coworkers and my husband’s friends clamoring for something that’s just been around my thigh,” writes a bride who did not toss the garter at her wedding. 

Wearing a Tie Is the Standard for Business Attire

Man In Shirt Dressing Up And Adjusting Tie On Neck
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“I can’t think of a single reason for ties being the standard for business attire other than it’s a reminder to everyone in the room that you could be strangled anytime,” explains a commentator who finds ties absurd. 

Singing Happy Birthday

A Pair Of Cute Celebratory Sunglasses Saying Happy Birthday.
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“Everybody hates being sung happy birthday, and everybody hates singing happy birthday,” says a poster. So why do we still do it?

Another poster says, “The song itself feels so dated and lame. No one has tried to come up with a new one?”

Blowing Out Candles on a Birthday Cake

Closeup Image Of A Woman Eating Blueberry Cheesecake With Spoon
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After singing the Happy Birthday song, one is supposed to blow out the candles on the cake. One poster feels it’s the same as the birthday guy saying, “Allow me to spit out my insides on your food before you eat it.” Lately, there is another tradition of “pushing someone’s head into a birthday cake.” Would you call it funny or disgusting? 

Tipping

Client Giving Tips To Waitress In Outdoor Cafe Closeup
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It is also wild that certain jobs refuse to pay their employees a higher wage because they expect you to tip. 

Family Asking if You’re Trying for a Child

A Cute Baby Wearing A White Dress Stay With Parents
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Society has made this question normal, but if we are being honest, having kids is not a topic for discussion with relatives (aunts or in-laws). It is weird. 

One poster explains, “Trying for a kid is much more than the conception for millions of people. Fertility issues, IVF, genetic testing, managing health prior, sperm counts, daily needles, or meds.” 

Asking People How They’re Doing as a Matter of Courtesy

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We sometimes do not care about how the rest of the world (your colleagues and neighbors) is doing. But it is a social norm to be courteous and ask people how they are doing regardless. 

Encouraging a Child to Hug a Family Member

Jealous Girl To See Her Brother Hug Her Mother
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This is another weird social norm that most parents are unaware of. Kids do not need to hug a family member if they feel awkward.  

Women’s Shoes

Leg Of Woman Beauty Put On Red High Heels Walk
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Before you dismiss this social norm, many women’s shoes are ‘impractical and uncomfortable.’ Think about it, women’s high heels are as bad as the flat ones. Isn’t this weird?

Source: Reddit
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