Lexi Feldman
P.4
10/16/14
The Unspoken Rules of Society
Within society there are a set of unspoken rules. Everyone who is a part of society shares
a common understanding about what kinds of behavior is appropriate. Things such as holding the
door for someone or not chewing with your mouth open are common behaviors that are regarded
as acceptable. While it is true that merely understanding these tacit codes play a role in
belonging, it is vast oversimplification. True belonging derives from time spent comprehending
the group's values, beliefs, history, and one's role within the community.
In a world where we are governed by rules and regulations set down by the government
and law enforcement, it is not always the consequences of breaking these laws that we fear. We
instead fear breaking the unwritten rules of our social groups and relationships. Sometimes
breaking these can have far worse consequences. Those who do not follow the unspoken rules of
society are often shunned or looked down upon. They are considered outcasts simply because
they choose not to follow or can not comprehend the social norms.
These tacit codes become second nature for those who are surrounded by them on a daily
basis. From the day we are born our parents teach us which behaviors are acceptable and which
are not. As we get older we better comprehend these unspoken rules and begin to understand
how our behavior affects others within our community. For example, while it is tolerable for a
small child to whine and beg for candy in a store, an adult exhibiting this behavior may be
regarded as irrational and inappropriate.
To "belong" means to go along with the unspoken rules of conformity concerning
whatever prejudices a group may have such as how you dress, or how you...