Essay On Unspoken Rules

In society, there are many unspoken rules that dictate how everyone lives their lives. These rules exist through every culture out there; they do not just exist in the United States. Not surprisingly, these unspoken rules have found their way into almost everyone’s everyday life. For example, when we go into an elevator we usually hit the button then look at the door. There is an unspoken rule that you don’t turn around and stare at the people in the elevator. Another example takes place in somewhere as common as a grocery store. When you go shopping for groceries you make your list, you go to the store, you grab a shopping cart, you fill this cart up with what was on the list, and then you check out. However, say you are looking for an item in the store but you cannot find it anywhere until you see it in someone else’s cart. It is not stealing to take it from their cart, because they haven’t bought it: there is just this unspoken rule in society that you do not take an item from somebody else’s cart. Sociologists refer to these unspoken rules as social norms, this is because in a social setting it is a normal thing to follow these rules.

A common social norm we face in everyday life is the rule of dressing for the occasion. Basically, this means that we should wear what is suitable for

In the fancy restaurant example, it would be embarrassing and awkward for those involved so this norm helps prevent that. Not only this, but sometimes this rule can actually help people stay safe, for example. If you go running in very heavy or fancy clothes, then you will obviously be exhausted and very sweaty afterwards. However, if you are too hot or exhausted you could potentially pass out from heat exhaustion if you wore such heavy clothes. Therefore, as much as this social norm is in place to keep uncomfortable situations from happening, it can sometimes help to keep people