15 Social Norms We Follow Despite Them Being Unnecessary
Have you ever stopped mid-handshake and thought, “Why are we doing this?” Or forced a smile while asking the barista how their day is, though you’re both just trying to get through the morning rush? We all follow these unwritten rules of society, but let’s be honest—some of them are just plain weird and totally unnecessary.
Meanwhile, research by Statista shows that we engage in approximately 12 social interactions daily, but spend only 0.59 hours per day actually socializing and communicating.
We do them because, well, that’s just how things are done. But what if we took a second to question them? Let’s dive into 15 social norms we follow for no good reason. Prepare to have your mind blown (or at least nod in agreement).
The Agony of Mandatory Small Talk
You know the drill. “How are you?” “Fine, you?” It is a program that we follow blindly. But would you rather have a report on your cashier’s doings over the weekend? Probably not.
Such an imposed, superficial conversation usually seems more of a social obligation than a bond. In fact, studies suggest that these interactions can prevent us from having the deeper, more meaningful conversations we crave.
The Awkward Handshake Ritual
Why do we grab a stranger’s hand and pump it up and down? This is not only a tradition; there is also a rulebook on grip strength and duration.
A bow or nod will suffice in most cultures. We need to realize that the handshake is a fake act we can do without.
Over-the-Top, Expensive Weddings
The average wedding reception venue in the U.S. in 2023 was estimated at $12,800, according to a report by Statista. You waste a fortune getting a crowd of people, most of whom you hardly know, to watch you promise.
Numerous customs, such as the father giving away the bride, are rooted in the old idea of women as property. However, perhaps we can sign the papers and party it up instead?
Closing the Bathroom Door When It’s Empty
It is one of the public service announcements. The presence of an open bathroom door indicates it is open. A closed door creates mystery.
Is someone in there? Is the lock just broken? We ought to make people’s lives light and keep the door open when they are never inside.
Suffocating in Formal Dress Codes
Does a tie really make you better at your job? Well no. Based on a YouGov report, 66% of Americans who are employed full-time or part-time never wear a suit to work.
Firms are eventually learning that performance does not depend on the collar’s rigidity. Such requirements tend only to marginalise individuals who cannot afford an expensive suit. We should evaluate individuals based on their work, but not their clothes.
Wearing Painfully Uncomfortable Clothes
Why do we put ourselves through the torture of restrictive ties and high heels that feel like medieval foot-crushers? We bust these out for “special occasions” to fit some arbitrary idea of formal wear, totally sacrificing comfort for looks.
So, let’s make a pact, shall we? Prioritize comfort. Your feet (and neck) will thank you.
The Messy World of Tipping
The American tipping system is a hot mess. It forces you, the customer, to make up for wages that employers should be paying. Plus, it’s notoriously biased.
Studies have shown that 70.6% of tipped workers are women, which is significantly higher than the percentage of men in the same service, as the Economic Policy Institute highlights. It’s a discriminatory system hiding in plain sight.
The Guilt-Ridden Thank You Card
Sending thank-you notes is an activity that most individuals despise. It is droll and in a dull formula, and the recipient understands you wrote it because you had to. An emotional email or even a phone call in a minute seems far more real and requires a fraction of the time.
The Business Card Graveyard
Think about the last business card you received. Do you know where it is? Probably not. Every year, a staggering 100 billion business cards are manufactured globally, posing a potential threat to the loss of nearly 6 million trees.
In an age of LinkedIn, QR codes, and digital everything, handing someone a tiny piece of paper with your info on it feels like a relic from another century.
Outdated Gender Roles in Dating
He must pay for the first date. He has to be the one to propose. She must wait till she is asked to dance. These rules have their basis in outdated gender roles that do not suit our present-day world.
The genuine relationships are not following a 1950s script; they are all about partnership and equality.
The Automatic “I’m Fine” Response
When someone asks how you are, the socially required answer is “I’m fine,” even if your world is falling apart.
This unwritten rule shuts down any chance for a real emotional exchange. Imagine if you answered honestly sometimes? Might actually connect on a human level.
Pointless Table Manners
Are you truly a barbarian if your elbows touch the table? Or if you cut up all your food at once instead of one bite at a time? Many of these super-rigid dining rules just make eating way more complicated than it needs to be.
Unless you are throwing food all over the place, then you are probably okay.
Saying “Bless You” After a Sneeze
This tradition dates back to ancient superstitions about evil spirits or your soul trying to escape your body, as the Massachusetts Institute of Technology narrates. Today, it’s just an automatic response to a normal bodily function.
No one’s soul is at risk. We can probably let this one go, especially in a quiet office or movie theater.
Standing for the National Anthem at a Ballgame
It is one thing to show patriotism and another to have to stand up because of social disapproval. This has been turned into a blind tradition by many, rather than an act of sincere reverence.
There is nothing wrong with doubting this apparent show of oneness.
The Pressure of Valentine’s Day
It feels like this holiday has become a performance of love, staged and driven by commercial pressure. People feel obligated to spend money on lavish gifts and grand gestures—all for a single day of the year.
Real romance should not be marked on the calendar to be celebrated.
Disclosure line: This article was developed with the assistance of AI and was subsequently reviewed, revised, and approved by our editorial team.
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