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10 Things It’s Not OK To Do In Public

10 Things It’s Not OK To Do In Public

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The rules of normal social behavior vary a bit from culture to culture, but most of us have a decent understanding about how to act in public. That being said, there are plenty of times when we’ve all engaged in behavior that is decidedly inappropriate, and whether intentional or not (or drunk or not), should be called out for our actions. So to avoid such mishaps in the future, the following are activities that should most likely be reserved for the home to prevent oneself from becoming dangerous, irritating, or, worse, “that guy.”

ThinkStockPhotos
ThinkStockPhotos

Read over people’s shoulders

I know, you’re waiting at the bus stop and you forgot your own book at home. And the person next to you has the morning paper and is reading all about the day’s news. And YOU want to know about the day’s news! But it’s creepy and weird and absolutely never done subtly and you’ll undoubtedly end up making the reader shift uncomfortably away from you as they try to distance themselves from your serious case of halitosis.

NYDailyNews.com
NYDailyNews.com

Eat strong-smelling things in places where nobody else is eating

This includes both good smells and bad smells — we’re all so glad that you’re satiating your hunger, but this ain’t a restaurant, pal. And I don’t want to smell your mouth-watering burger with the works OR your day-old tuna fish sandwich on the train. It’ll either make me so hungry that I want to punch you or so nauseous that I want to punch you. Either way, we all lose.

ElephantJournal.com
ElephantJournal.com

Have a serious make-out session

Everyone needs love. Nobody denies that. But everyone doesn’t need to see your love all up in their face. A kiss here and there is cute, and even longer-than-average smooches are OK in moderation – especially when the occasion calls for it (i.e. you just got engaged/married/found out you’re having a baby/realized you’re not pregnant and are super psyched about it). But when all people can see of you is the top of your forehead and a pair of tongues flapping about, the slurping needs to stop. Head on home to finish the show and do everyone — including yourselves — a huge favor.

ThinkStockPhotos
ThinkStockPhotos

Joke about criminal behavior

You might think it’s funny to talk about robbing somebody to meet your next credit card bill. Or you might be a bit peeved at a friend and wonder out loud when the best opportunity might be to get a little rough. But you’re only going to make the person in front of you walk a little bit faster and clench their keys in their hand, primed to gouge your eye out should you brush by them too closely.

Triloquist.net
Triloquist.net

“Adjust” yourself

This includes all manner of adjusting — whether it be picking wedgies, rearranging bras, or, the biggest offender, men shifting their business from side to side. We all know it has to be done, but maybe try to find a more subtle way of doing it? Better yet, head on over to the bathroom to get things back into place and save us the show and yourself the embarrassment. And while we’re at it, let’s rule out self-examination in public as well — you don’t need to check out your biceps in every reflective window you pass, and you most definitely don’t need to peek at the tissue into which you just blew your nose.

ThinkStockPhotos
ThinkStockPhotos

Have an “I love you more” phone conversation

Again, in no way, shape, or form does the world want to deny you love. But when your (most likely brand-spankin’-new) love takes on the form of endless phone conversations, it’s more of a private moment. Passersby don’t need to be treated to your sickeningly cute argument over who has to hang up first, because you just couldn’t bear to be the one to cut off the conversation, and they’ll most likely have to suppress the urge to snatch the phone and do it themselves.

ThinkStockPhotos
ThinkStockPhotos

Take your shoes off when you know what lies beneath

You know that you’ve walked 30-plus blocks in the middle of summer with no socks on because, really, who can be bothered to wash their socks when they run out? But that means that you’re fully aware of what awaits those in your immediate vicinity the second you kick those suckers off, and you should fight the urge to do that to the unsuspecting public. Let’s not even get into why you’re taking your shoes off in public in the first place if you’re not at the beach, but just save your getting-comfy moment for when you get home.

GirlsChase.com
GirlsChase.com

Talk about your sex-capades

Wow, you sure had a crazy night last night! And the night before that. And the night before THAT. And — OK, this is gross. Your friends may appreciate the stories, but the general public will not, and there’s a good chance that there’s a 5-year-old in the general vicinity. Plus, given that the world is usually the smallest when you don’t want it to be, the person you’re currently bragging about may in fact be several feet behind you as well. Save it.

ThinkStockPhotos
ThinkStockPhotos

Count your money

Not only are you a tool for flaunting your money and wealth (seriously, how do people think this is ever acceptable?), but you’ve just made yourself a mark for some entrepreneur type looking for the next big score. This goes for all types of money flaunting, including carrying unnecessarily large wads of cash, bragging about the brand names you’re currently wearing or have recently acquired, and complaining that your friend stole the name that you were planning on using for your yacht.

ThinkStockPhotos
ThinkStockPhotos

Take all of your clothes off

I thought this one should have gone without saying, but have come across some people that could use the reminder. If it’s not a nudist colony, keep it zipped, people.