In social situations, we follow plenty of unwritten rules. However, it can be smart to look up other cultures’ customs for tourists or just check in to what is expected of you as a friend or a guest in certain situations. Unwritten rules of how people look out for close friends or strangers of the same sex are popularly referred to as girl code and boy code. There is plenty of comedy that pokes fun at those that take same-sex loyalty to the extremes.
u/bakedbutnotburnt asked Reddit “what are some of the ‘guy code’ and ‘girl code’ unwritten rules that you always follow?” The question was upvoted 42.9k times. Bored Panda selected responses people tended to agree more with, take a look:
More info: Reddit.com
#1
If I offer someone a beer or other alcoholic beverage and they turn it down, I never push it. Sometimes I don’t want to drink and I hate being pressured. Never pressure a drink on someone.
Image source: please_hava_seat, Joe Goldberg
#2
As a guy that lifts weights and has brought some of his other male (and two female friends) into the fold – you never, EVER, slander another person’s weight on any lift. If your friend is 250 pounds and only benches 135, but is trying his a** off – then you never make a sound other than howling intense encouragement at them.
The rule in my basement is – everything is heavy to SOMEBODY. As long as you’re giving it your full-a**, then the number is irrelevant.
Image source: level 1 ArchMichael7, David Howard
#3
Brocode: If a girl passes out at a party, you’re not allowed to touch her. Make sure one of her lady friends knows ASAP, preferable a relatively sober one.
Image source: DamnedIron, 28704869
#4
If your friends help you move, you are expected to a) be packed already… And b) provide pizza and beer.
Image source: jjbutts, otakuchick
#5
Girl code: if something is fixable within five minutes (make-up, something stuck in teeth, small things on appearance) you tell her and help her if needed, if it isn’t fixable on the spot, you keep your mouth shut and ESPECIALLY don’t point it out to others.
Image source: PenguinsOnAWire, borosjuli
#6
Female here.
If you see another girl crying in the bathroom of the bar/club/venue you’re at, you ask what’s wrong and try to help.
If you have a tampon or pad to spare and someone needs it, even if it’s someone you hate, offer it to them.
If a girl looks distressed or uncomfortable with the guy who is hitting on her at the bar/club/venue you’re at, she’s now going to be a new member of your crew! This one is a little tricky, but it’s usually pretty obvious when someone needs an out but can’t manage it or is frozen or intimidated. If you see it happening, try to catch her eye because she’ll be looking around. Once you make eye contact it’s pretty easy to figure out if she needs an out, then swoop in and do the whole “Hey girl! Where the crap have you been, we’re all waiting over at the table for you!” And then you hook your elbow through hers and walk her back to your table of friends.
If you see a KNOW that a friend’s boyfriend/fiance/husband doing shady, skeezy sh**, you tell that friend right away.
Image source: Mahatma_Panda, Eric Chan
#7
See something, compliment something.
Image source: AllieBallie22, Azlan DuPree
#8
Bros before ho*s, but not before wives. Sure it’s sucks when a buddy has to stay home for a weekend camping trip, but if his wife’s sick and they have a 3 month old, it’s probably best that he keeps his family’s interests above your own haha
Image source: Zephrahs, davidmesaaz
#9
In his home, you always call another man’s dog a good boy
Image source: Kadeslayer, Alan Levine
#10
Should a bro die in a weight lifting related accident, a bro will add atleast 100 lbs to the bar before reporting the incident
Image source: Mallow-9, Montgomery County Planning Commission
#11
If someone offers to pay, you should ask them if they are sure. If they are, then it is rude to further reject what is supposed to be a kindness on their part.
“I got the bill.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yeah, don’t worry about it.”
“Thank you.”
Image source: TMJ_Jack, jam_232
#12
The person who buys the shots, makes the toast
Too many times I’ve seen someone buy a round of shots, and someone else jumps in with a toast
If you want to make a toast, buy a round!
Image source: Finster63, John Verive
#13
Dude if there’s like 8 open urinals DON’T TAKE THE ONE NEXT TO ME
Image source: Oceanicshark, Mark Hillary
#14
I will wingman any man. I don’t even have to know you. Hell, I’ll wingman any woman too. If you are trying to make an impression on someone you think you’ll hit it off with, call me. I love love and am always willing to help make it happen.
Image source: the_planes_walker, Maryland GovPics
#15
Guy Code -If your drunk bro is about to cheat on his girlfriend, you must follow through with one intervention. If he says he doesn’t care, you did your part and are free from any responsibility.
Image source: Bartch88, Mike Burns
#16
If you see another girl in an uncomfortable situation, you try to get her out of there or at least let her know that you got her back. I’ve done it for everyone, from my sister, to my friends to my friends moms. One time at a school event, my best friend’s mom somehow ended getting an unsolicited massage from another parent with boundary issues and I quickly made an excuse up that I needed help at the concession stand. No one is too old or too young to do this!
On the more lighthearted side, in my experience, when you hug another girl, you always try to slot the boobs by going slightly to the side so that you don’t just mash your chests together and hurt someone.
Image source: unicornmarket, Ricardo Moraleida
#17
Be generous with your closest friends.
Buy them an occasional beer or their favorite soft drink without “keeping score” of whose turn it is to pay.
Image source: Back2Bach, Mike Mozart
#18
Nod up if you know them, nod down if you dont.
Image source: deleted, Elvert Barnes
#19
You can make fun of your own kid all you want with your buddies if he isnt around, but you NEVER make fun of your bros kid, no matter what.
Image source: RickerBobber, foundin_a_attic
#20
I only had one chance to exercise this girl code rule, but once i was passing a girl in the lobby of a building and she told me that she had just gotten a straight perm and was waiting for the rain to pass before she went outside so I let her share my umbrella for 4-5 blocks while we walked to a bus stop together.
I would do that for any woman if it happened again.
(perms are $200+, can take up to 3 hours and are ruined if you get them wet within 48 hours of having the procedure done)
Image source: Book_1love, pudgeefeet
#21
When your best friends dies, you have to delete his internet history. Common courtesy.
Image source: supergoldisme
#22
My personal thing is that if I ask someone to come on a trip with me, no matter the distance or how much gas it’ll take, I don’t ask for gas money. I asked them to come on the trip with me, their company is payment enough. I don’t like when people ask me for gas money when they insisted or asked me f I wanted to come along for something. I come on this trip with them, for all I know they could just be using me for gas money.
Also, who pays for who on a date I believe should be totally contingent on who took the initiative to ask. If I ask Her out, I will offer to pay but I won’t Insist, if she’d like to pay for herself.
Image source: LickMyAstle, Floris Oosterveld
#23
When guys fight, we never hit the groin.
It’s against the Geneva Convention /s.
Image source: Dstats98, dave ho
#24
Guy code: when greeting someone and you’re not sure if they’re a hugger, always shake their hand first… it allows them to throw up the other arm for a hug if they’re down for it.
Image source: DetroitHustlesHarder, Matt Anderson
#25
when a girl says “i won’t tell anyone” what she really means is “i won’t tell anyone except my best friend”
Image source: ChaoticSweety, Jerzy Kociatkiewicz
#26
If I hear a girl say she needs a hair tie I will immediately hand one over, even if I’ll only have one left for myself.
Image source: mcrandk, Robert Couse-Baker
#27
Treat your friend’s girl as if she’s a guy
Image source: Fulahno, bagaball
#28
Never steal ur bro’s large fry
Image source: Kenzel258
#29
If their bedroom door open, be careful to sound your approach before popping in. Never know what he’s up to.
Image source: AT1787, Chris Northwood
#30
I hear this a lot in casual conversation: A: You know __? B: no? A: Wait, you don’t know __?!
My boss speaks English as a second language and he pointed out how common this type of interaction is & said it is off-putting. I really try to be mindful of it now!
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