The Universal Code of (Formerly) Unwritten Rules

You ever find yourself mumbling about something ridiculous you’ve just witnessed? Maybe it’s a reaction to the person who just pulled out in front of you in the left lane, only to then slow down. Perhaps it’s in response to the fact that you’ve boarded a crowded bus, and even though you’ve got a small child with you (or you’re clearly pregnant!), not one person offers you a seat. Or, something we all can certainly relate to- standing in line at a store behind a person loudly yakking away on his cell phone. Mostly, these things just irk us, and we have to wonder why others don’t seem to know the “rules” that seem so second-nature to us. Now, there’s a book that chronicles these, and hundreds more similarly annoying scenarios– The Universal Code of (Formerly) Unwritten Rules: From Airline-Armrest Etiquette to Flushing Twice, 251 Uncompromising Laws of Common Civility That We Wish Everyone Knew, by Quentin Parker.

First off, be prepared for some snark. Oh yes, there is lots of it in play here, with a sarcastic tone throughout the entire collection of rules. Inevitably, some of the rules will surely apply to something that you’ve been known to do, and if you keep your sense of humor about you, hopefully you won’t take offense. (I know I didn’t… even when I read Unwritten Rule #122 which addresses some females’ tendency to cry in the midst of an argument. Whatever.) (Uh-oh, looks like I’ve just broken Unwritten Rule #208 now, too, by using that irritating one-word utterance!) Along with a sarcastic and humorous vibe, this book also includes a fair share of “colorful” language, which some of us enjoy, or at least tolerate, more than others.

Hopefully this doesn’t come across as TMI (so as not to break Unwritten Rule #187 about avoiding obscure “textspeak,” I’ll explain that TMI stands for “too much information”), but I find these short humor books to be best suited for bathroom reading, where a few minutes can be spent having a laugh while you’re otherwise engaged. Perhaps you’re like me and have the overwhelming urge to read snippets of humor books to your spouse or partner, and if you are, thankfully there’s no rule against that in this little book!

If you’re looking for a unique humor book as a gift for a friend, or you just want to stock up on your own humor books for fun and light reading, check out The Universal Code of (Formerly) Unwritten Rules. And don’t forget- the left lane is the fast lane, always offer your seat on public transportation to a pregnant woman, and for the love of all that’s holy, put your cell phone down while you wait in line for your morning coffee!

Dawn has been known to rant and rave, sometimes on a seemingly regular basis, both in person (to her ever-patient husband) and online on her blog, my thoughts exactly.