Just Relaxed Blog

Tag: social etiquette

  • The Unspoken Rules of the Public Bathroom Line

    The Unspoken Rules of the Public Bathroom Line




    The Unspoken Rules of the Public Bathroom Line

    The Day I Became a Public Bathroom Line Vigilante

    Picture this: a crowded concert venue, the bass thumping in my chest, and the sudden, urgent realization – I need to use the restroom. Now.

    Navigating my way through a sea of dancing bodies, I finally reach my destination – only to be met with a queue that seems to stretch into another dimension. As I join the line, a sense of camaraderie washes over me. We’re all in this together, united by our shared biological imperative.

    But then, it happened. A woman, seemingly oblivious to the silent agreement that binds us, waltzed past the line and attempted to sneak into a stall. A collective gasp rippled through the queue. It was a blatant disregard for the unspoken rules, and we, the seasoned veterans of countless bathroom lines, weren’t having it.

    What followed wasn’t pretty (think a chorus of “end of the line” and some serious side-eye), but it cemented my role as a lifelong advocate for public bathroom line etiquette. So, in the interest of maintaining order and sanity in these hallowed halls, I present to you – the unspoken rules of the public bathroom line.

  • The Unspoken Rules of Elevator Etiquette (and the People Who Break Them)

    The Unspoken Rules of Elevator Etiquette (and the People Who Break Them)

    The Unspoken Rules of Elevator Etiquette (And How Not to Break Them)

    We all know the feeling. That awkward, silent ride with that person breaking all the unspoken rules of elevator etiquette. Let’s laugh about it (and maybe learn a thing or two).

    My Personal Elevator Nightmare

    The other day, I crammed myself into a packed elevator, desperately trying to avoid eye contact with the sea of briefcases and handbags. You know the drill, the classic “pretend to be fascinated by your phone” maneuver. Suddenly, a wave of potent perfume, smelling vaguely of a grandma’s potpourri drawer, washed over me. I dared a glance and saw him: a man, practically bathing in a vat of cologne, completely oblivious to the olfactory distress he was causing.

    This, my friends, is a prime example of the unspoken rules of elevator etiquette gone wrong. We’ve all been there. We’ve all silently judged (and maybe even been the ones judged). So, let’s unpack (pun intended, you’ll see why) the unwritten code of conduct for the modern elevator journey.

    Rule #1: Thou Shalt Not Be a “Close Talker”

    Let’s be real, elevators are basically metal boxes hurtling us through the air at questionable speeds. Personal space is already at a premium. So, when someone insists on standing uncomfortably close, breathing down your neck, it’s just not cool.

    Pro-tip: Maintain a healthy bubble. Imagine you’re carrying an invisible beach ball around you – nobody wants their beach ball popped!

    Rule #2: Silence is Golden, But So is Common Courtesy

    Look, we get it. Elevators can be awkward. That silence, punctuated only by the soft ding of passing floors, can feel deafening. But that doesn’t mean you should subject your fellow passengers to your life story, a loud phone conversation, or worse – your questionable taste in music.

    The exception to the rule: A simple “good morning” or a polite nod goes a long way. And hey, if someone’s struggling with a heavy package, offer a helping hand!

    Rule #3: Your Lunch Doesn’t Need a Ride

    You know that delicious, garlicky Pad Thai you had for lunch? Yeah, your fellow elevator passengers can smell it too. And while we’re on the topic of smells, let’s address the elephant (or rather, the gym bag) in the room.

    Golden rule of thumb: Keep strong scents contained. That goes for pungent food, excessive perfume, and yes, even your sweaty gym clothes. Nobody wants to experience your workout on the way to the 10th floor.

    Are We All Just Trapped in a Metal Box of Social Anxiety?

    Elevator etiquette really boils down to one thing: being mindful of others. We’re all just trying to get where we’re going, one awkward, silent ride at a time. So, let’s make the journey a little less painful by following these unspoken rules. Or at least, let’s have a good laugh about it later.

    What are your biggest elevator etiquette pet peeves? Share your hilarious (or horrifying) stories in the comments below!

  • The Unspoken Rules of Being a Line-Stander (And Other Odd Social Observations)

    The Unspoken Rules of Being a Line-Stander (And Other Odd Social Observations)




    The Unspoken Rules of Being a Line-Stander (And Other Odd Social Observations)


    Confessions of a Line-Standing Enthusiast (Or Not)

    So, the other day I found myself in a queue that snaked longer than a python at a buffet. It got me thinking: why are there so many unspoken rules about standing in line? We learn about grammar, table manners, and how to not eat glue, but line etiquette? That’s apparently a whole other curriculum.

    And it’s not just lines. Our social fabric seems woven with these invisible threads of expected behavior, these unwritten commandments of “thou shalt” and “thou shalt not” that nobody actually tells you about.

    The Line-Stander’s Creed: A Guide to Queue Decorum

    First, let’s tackle the obvious. Lines, queues, those human caterpillars inching towards a shared goal – they’re practically microcosms of society. Here’s a crash course in their silent language:

    • The Buffer Zone: This is sacred ground, people. Maintain a perimeter of personal space around the person in front of you. Imagine an invisible hula hoop – don’t make them wear it.
  • The Unspoken Rules of Elevator Etiquette (and the People Who Break Them)

    The Unspoken Rules of Elevator Etiquette (and the People Who Break Them)




    The Unspoken Rules of Elevator Etiquette (And How to Avoid Breaking Them)


    My Personal Elevator From Hell

    We’ve all been there. Packed into a metal box hurtling through the floors of an office building, desperately trying to avoid eye contact with strangers. Yes, I’m talking about the dreaded elevator ride.

    Just the other day, I found myself in an elevator situation so awkward, it could only be described as a scene straight out of “The Twilight Zone.” Picture this: I’m squished between a guy loudly discussing his fantasy football league on speakerphone and a woman who seems to think her perfume is a superpower.

    elevator ground to a halt between floors. The speakerphone dude’s triumphant roar (“Yes! Touchdown, baby!”) was cut short, and even the perfume lady seemed fazed. We were trapped.

    This experience got me thinking about the unspoken rules of elevator etiquette, those subtle social contracts we make to survive these short, strange journeys together. So, for the sake of humanity, let’s break them down, shall we?

    Rule #1: Respect the Elevator Bubble

    Personal space. We all crave it, especially in the confines of an elevator. Yet, some people seem to forget the concept of a personal bubble the second those elevator doors slide shut. They stand too close, their backpack smacks you in the face, their loud conversation invades your thoughts.

    Remember folks, an elevator is not your personal phone booth or karaoke stage. It’s a shared space, so let’s try to maintain a respectful distance and keep the volume down.

    Rule #2: The Elevator Button: A Sacred Duty

    Ah, the button pusher. The designated hero of the elevator ride, responsible for ensuring everyone reaches their desired floor. This is a position of power, not to be taken lightly.

    Don’t be the person who frantically presses the already-lit button for their floor. Don’t be the person who tries to squeeze past everyone else to reach a button when someone closer could easily do it. And for the love of all that is holy, do not, I repeat, DO NOT hold the elevator door for your buddy who’s running late while everyone else watches in silent agony.

  • The Unspoken Rules of Grocery Store Etiquette (As Told By My Inner Monologue)

    The Unspoken Rules of Grocery Store Etiquette (As Told By My Inner Monologue)




    The Unspoken Rules of Grocery Store Etiquette (As Told By My Inner Monologue)


    The Cart Conundrum: A Lesson in Aisle Awareness

    The other day, I found myself performing Olympic-level mental gymnastics in the middle of the produce aisle. Why? Because a fellow shopper had abandoned their cart smack-dab in the middle of the aisle, creating a Bermuda Triangle of grocery carts where dreams of fresh cilantro went to die.

    My inner monologue went something like this:

    • “Do I awkwardly maneuver around it?
    • Do I risk a passive-aggressive sigh loud enough to alert them to their cartly transgression?
    • Or do I just accept defeat, grab my cilantro from the less-desirable back row, and resign myself to a life of subpar guacamole? (The horror!)”

    We’ve all been there, right? Navigating the grocery store can feel like a social experiment in unspoken rules and passive-aggressive cart maneuvers. So, in the interest of public service (and my own sanity), I present to you a guide to the unspoken rules of grocery store etiquette – as dictated by the increasingly dramatic voice inside my head.

    Lane Dilemma: Decoding the Checkout Lane Tango

    Ah, the checkout lane. A place of both hope (freedom is so close!) and utter dread (did that guy seriously just cut the line?). Here’s a universal truth: the express lane is a mystical realm governed by its own set of laws, often defying logic and human decency.

    Inner Monologue: “Okay, 12 items or less… he looks like he has at least 15 things in that basket. Should I say something? Nah, I don’t want to be *that* person. But seriously, where did he even GET a cantaloupe this time of year? Is that even ALLOWED in the express lane?”

    Let’s be real, we’ve all pushed the limits of the express lane at some point. But let’s try to operate with a general sense of awareness, shall we?

    Sample Savvy: The Art of Enjoying Freebies Without Being *That* Person

    Listen, I love a good free sample as much as the next person. But there’s an art to partaking in these bite-sized delights without morphing into a ravenous monster who single-handedly depletes the mini-quiche supply.

    Inner Monologue: “Okay, one mini quiche is acceptable. Two is pushing it. But they’re just so darn delicious! Just act natural. Pretend you’re deeply engrossed in the nutritional label. Wait, is that… another person eyeing the quiche? ABORT MISSION! Act casual, move along.”

    Remember, folks, sample with grace, not greed. And for goodness sake, don’t even THINK about hovering around the poor employee like a vulture circling its prey.