You Know The Rules

For tipping, hand washing, and group dinners

One thing about rules is that there are no rules. Or there are rules, but only some people know them. New York Magazine got my attention with a list of rules published last week, featuring rules for dining out, dinner parties, and much more, from their staff and other contributors. An odd number of the rules relate to meeting famous people, which can’t be that common of a dilemma. The rules, at times, directly contradict each other, showing that rules are both societal and personal. Rules often uphold white supremacy (like restaurant/club dress codes) or exist to give people permission to discriminate. They also are a valuable social currency and sometimes, just funny.

This rule is good and something I need to be better about. Also another famous person reference!

Some of my favorite moments in friendships are when one of us does something slightly odd and then explains that it was a rule growing up (this could be anything from how they load the dishwasher to how they put on socks). Shanika Hillocks, a brand strategist and marketing consultant, shared her rules on Instagram in response to the article. I love her list, which includes removing shoes at the door (should be mandatory in New York), wearing a seatbelt always, and paying freelancers quickly. Rules like that guide us to a better world and I wanted to share a few of my own.

1. It’s okay to admit you know who someone is.