21 "Normal" Things Society Accepts That Are Actually Kinda... Weird

A few months ago, we rounded up the most popular responses from this Twitter thread that asked: "What's the weirdest thing society accepts as normal?"

What's the weirdest thing society accepts as normal?
— OfficerBlue| Dev (@askblue_) May 31, 2024

Twitter: @askblue_

From the silly to the downright harmful, people in the comments didn't hold back from sharing more weird things our society accepts as normal. Here's everything they added:

1. "Paying for multiple streaming services to watch all your favorite shows/movies."

—Crush27

2. "Our current gun laws perpetuating gun violence and mass shootings."

—luckylight67

3. "Tipping instead of receiving a livable wage."

—Crush27

4. "Being a legal adult at 18, unable to rent a car, buy alcohol, etc, but can join the army."

—Crush27

5. "Allowing a convicted criminal to run for President of the United States."

—artisticlegend471

6. "Trapping people with disabilities (like me) in poverty instead of helping them, then punishing them if they have ONE FUCKING CENT over the measly $2,000 they're allowed. Is Darwin's ghost running this country or something?"

—Masha Parakina

7. "Trick or treating. Every other day of the year, we preach, 'Don't talk to strangers. Don't take candy from strangers. Don't pretend to be someone you're not. Don't walk around after dark.' Then it's Halloween, and suddenly, it's ok to do all of those things at the same time."

—lfrench902

8. "Guilt-tripping people for sleeping in. I work better at night, plus it's so hot during the day. Just because you get up at 5 a.m. and go to bed at 8 p.m. doesn't mean you are better than the person who sleeps 'til 9 a.m. and goes to bed at midnight."

—leahm491b1c910

9. "Treating each other like crap: what happened to good old fashioned common courtesy? And this happens—work, community, home, and the street. Come on, people. Be nice to your fellow human (I know… some are difficult, but the concept has always been there)."

—adhazelett

10. "The fact that there is supposed to be a separation of church and state, but it conveniently doesn't apply to Christians."

—monikap6

11. "It's socially acceptable for a man to go without a shirt and to see his nipples, but as soon as a woman does, it's bad. Even if she's just nursing a baby... which is what they were intended for!"

—leahm491b1c910

12. "Colors dictating what gender your baby is. My 4-month-old daughter wore a blue shirt this weekend, and everyone acted as if I was abusing her."

—leahm491b1c910

13. "The number of hours teachers are expected to work beyond their contract hours, unpaid, to make sure lesson plans are completed and grades are done."

—lisap45222e4ad

14. "Uber/Lyft – it's still strange for me to get in some stranger's personal vehicle and have them drive me around. Especially if it's in a city I'm unfamiliar with but don't otherwise have transportation."

—Keri1986

15. "Everything digital. I'm tired of seeing everything and owning/holding nothing. Streaming movies and TV. Digital photos. E-reader books. Downloading music. Give me DVDs, photo albums, books, and CDs, please!"

—leahm491b1c910

16. "Laws that ban abortion but don't mandate vasectomies. In that same vein, laws that punish women for accessing abortion, but don't punish the men who get them pregnant."

–emowizard70

17. "In the US: Not including tax in the listed price. In the same vein, any and all hidden charges. Don't lie by omission; just tell me what the thing I'm paying for is gonna cost."

—JadeFishes

18. "Taking pictures and video of everything and everyone and posting it on the internet for the world to see without people's consent. Children especially! There needs to be some kind of order for this. Privacy is dead."

—hiddencomet88

19. "I live in Las Vegas. You can literally die from the heat, but the energy rates keep climbing... It's not an option just to turn off your AC."

—clevergoblin83

20. "Award shows. They're basically 'employee of the year' awards for multimillionaires that none of us could ever be a part of."

—Kevvo9245

And lastly:

21. "Honestly, our health insurance (at least in the US) being tied to our job. And if you're laid off or have to leave for the job due to outside circumstances, you just… better hope you don't need to see a doctor. It's wild that our employment determines if we get provided with healthcare and get to live or die."

—O2o2bk

What's something weird to you that society accepts as normal? Let me know in the comments or by submitting to this anonymous form.

Note: Some responses have been edited for length and/or clarity.