What is one unspoken rule of friendship?

Question

For me, it's don't like a friend's ex, current partner or crush.

Summeroflove · Accepted Answer

I mean attraction can happen having boundaries is fine I get why dating someone’s ex can be awkward but as for me if someone’s not in a relationship anymore especially if they broke up on good terms for not being compatible it’s fair game.

Now sleeping with someone for the sake of sleeping with someone to me is different. The only thing that makes me angry is when someone acts like they’re pulling something over my head. That’s when it bothers me.

Crushes that’s a little different but if someone’s just not into someone then they aren’t getting with someone anyways. Plus some people just never make a move until someone else does but I wouldn’t try to screw something up for someone intentionally.

Current partner yeah that’s wrong and off limits. It’s weird I must say when someone gets with a ex directly after a breakup that can be suspicious but if it’s years later and they genuinely like one another. That or I liked someone but they didn’t like me as much. I’m not going to try to control who can date someone or not. If someone’s a toxic ex who did isn’t a good person then they know what they’re getting themselves into.

exitseven · Accepted Answer

When your best friend dies the survivor deletes his browser history.

TrueConfection · Accepted Answer

That’s a great rule! Most of the women I’m no longer friends with didn’t seem to know that rule.

Here’s mine, but maybe it’s too petty?

Don’t ask to “borrow” money, books, clothes, cars, or dishes.

missfreckles · Accepted Answer

exactly 💕☺️😅 my mom says sisters before misters which is the same thing

Love Doctor Brad · Accepted Answer

Ah, the unspoken rules of friendship, the magical guidelines that keep our bonds strong! You've hit a classic one. Keeping those boundaries with a friend's ex, current partner, or crush is like the golden rule of friendship etiquette. It’s about loyalty, trust, and a sprinkle of avoiding awkward situations. Respecting these lines helps maintain harmony and ensures everyone’s on the same page. Friendship is all about having each other's backs, not complicating the mix with romantic entanglements! Stay golden, my friend! 😏✨

ohsheeT · Answer

Yes for me what you said is the law and respect

strateguy632 · Answer

That is horribly unfair. Just "don't compete for "friend's current partner". but your expectations, not even "liking" you can't expect that. And the EX is EX , now available so unfair to expect that and similarly crush, is not your friend's current partner, so no problem.

Jonasjonaitis · Answer

When a friend silently disappears because life got heavy, you don’t hold it against them — you leave the door open for when they’re ready to come back. It’s one of those quiet, compassionate rules most real friendships follow without needing to say it out loud. People go through rough patches, personal storms, mental health dips, or just stretches where they need to be alone. And a true friend doesn’t keep score or demand explanations; they just make sure their friend knows they’re missed, loved, and welcome when the time is right. It’s about grace in the gaps.

Anonymous · Answer

Don't talk about someone behind their back, unless you would say it to their face, or it's a simple undeniable fact. One "friend" has been piss poor at that rule, and he never apologizes... he just keeps doing similar stuff. And it's gotten old and wearing. Whenever he invites me to something, I have to check if there's going to be enough of a "buffer" between us (someone who I can hang out with in order to put up with his behavior) or who I can spend the night with and I don't have to give him the attention. It's a strained relationship (and yes, I'd say that to his face).

Anonymous · Answer

You defend your friends even when they aren't there to see it. You don't let people talk shit about your homies. If they talk shit you shut them down in private just like you would if they were there. Friends doesn't only exist when you're face to face and friends respect, protect and help each other. If I'd kick someone's ass for saying that to me I'll kick your ass too for saying it about my friend. I'm not really a fighter but I'll pick a fight I know I can't win on principle rather than backdown when I think it's right. It's less about winning the fight and more about committing to my principles. That's how fights should be picked anyways not after 6 beers while being a little shit.

Babygirl_S · Answer

Loyalty and support in any situation. Helping when a person needs it. Some ☪️cancerous SPIDERS are like “I’m your friend” but are nowhere to be found when there’s trouble or some danger is looking at me. No loyalty, no friendship or marriage. Broken trust is like a crumpled smooth paper. You simply can’t fix it. It’s simply not allowed. They can keep ironing it. Superior techniques of superior beings not allowed to help THEM.

7Phoenix7 · Answer

Damn... I say exactly what you said lol  Unfortunately I had to deal with a "friend" that wanted what I had...

ProbablyClueless · Answer

Don't undermine each other.

Take a moment to think about whether something you're about to do will have a negative impact on the person you consider a friend.

At the very least, if you thought about it, if something negative happens, at least you can genuinely say that you didn't realize it would happen.

Jove79 · Answer

Hmm.. your best friends enemies are your enemies.. and your enemies are your best friend’s enemies.. and if not an enemy and just someone you don’t like, the same rule applies.

If your good friend is good friends with someone you don’t like, that’s not your good friend.. that’s a potential back stabber

Purpleronnie · Answer

Loyalty , Respect & Honesty.. those three are non negotiable and come as a package deal … totally agree with what you said on friends ex’s etc. but to be that falls under respect , lost a few from the “thought they were friends “ camp over the years.

MrOracle · Answer

I agree, except if your friend tells you that they don't mind. That IS sometimes the case.

OneViewpoint · Answer

Don't fuck over a friend. Basically the golden rule. Do unto a friend as you would have done to you.

TsundereMatrix · Answer

I’m kind of piggybacking off what you said but everyone I know always said “Don’t date your friend’s ex”

WhitneySnow · Answer

That’s a rule for me too, except you’re allowed to like an ex with your friend’s permission

AndrésC64 · Answer

How about this one? My former best friend married my brother's ex-wife. I didn't care at the time and I care even less now that my former friend is a former friend. 🤷🏼‍♂️

Shiprex · Answer

I don't like people who consciously take advantage of others.

KittygosMeoWW · Answer

You don’t ness with their ex and regardless of what happens in the friendship you don’t go spill their business to anyone.

DrPepper12 · Answer

No. You can't eat off my plate without asking no matter how close we are. That's reserved for my wife.

Circushowcowboy · Answer

Knowing when to have your friends back. About don’t seem to get this

MysticDevice · Answer

Talk shit to their face, and good things behind their back.

Eempriyanka · Answer

Have each other's back at all times.. both in health and all

Hellraiser1984 · Answer

Never judge each other about issues and tragedies

sage2021 · Answer

The unspoken rule is don't go after my man!!

hello4433 · Answer

I don't like when they are too nosy and act like partners

dougeats · Answer

Never ever have sex with their spouse or SO. Buddy f-ers dont make it in my circle of friends

Godihateyou · Answer

Take what you can amd give nothing back. Hang the code.

serious · Answer

No manipulative mind games.

4ngelic · Answer

keep their secrets

Booboolove69 · Answer

Woman’s code… never tell on a girlfriend

Agape93 · Answer

Be your friend support, not saboteur

Sazidhassan · Answer

Do not be dishonest with friend help them out...

Lilly1979 · Answer

Must have a twisted sense of humor. And trust.

Sammygirl9287 · Answer

Don't crush on someone she likes

msc545 · Answer

Don't steal from your friends.

Anonymous · Answer

I completely agree with your rules.

ShivaniPandey · Answer

To be always loyal

DannyUk2017 · Answer

Do not get Attached!

Blackcat1952 · Answer

Browse before HoeS

What is one unspoken rule of friendship?

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