7 "Rules of Being a Lady" That Just Don't Make Sense ...

7 "Rules of Being a Lady" That Just Don't Make Sense ...
By Kelly • Sep 6, 2013 MD

Growing up, my parents always tried to teach me the proper rules of being a lady. Everything from how to act, to what to say, and even how to look. Of course when I was young, I believed all of these rules, until I grew up. Looking back, so many typical “rules of being a lady” honestly have no place in the modern woman. We are allowed to act differently than our parents did growing up. We are allowed to go against the grain more. So of all of the “rules of being a lady,” here are the must absurd ones that truly don’t make sense anymore.

1. Ladies Never Curse

Of all of the rules of being a lady, this one is the most bullshit. Growing up, my father always told me that a lady never curses and naturally I believed him. So I spent a good majority of my life avoiding swearing. Then I grew up and realized that this was the dumbest thing ever. I am not saying that you should have the mouth of a sailor, but you shouldn’t be afraid to say the f-word when the situation calls for it.

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2. Ladies Are Always Put Together

I feel like so many girls are under the impression that they need to have their hair, makeup, nails, and not to mention outfit perfect put polished at all times. They never want to be seen in sweatpants and take hours to get ready to send the right ladylike image. While looking put together can be nice sometimes, it definitely should not be required all of the time.

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3. Ladies Put Their Man’s Needs First

This is not the '40s. We no longer live in a time where girls must find a husband by the time they are 20 and stay home to cook and clean all day. You can put your needs before any man and still have a wonderfully fulfilling life.

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4. Ladies Must Be on Their Best Behavior

One of my favorites quotes is “well-behaved women rarely make history.” Who cares if you drink a bit too much and go a little bit too crazy? It is your life and you can do what you want. You do not have to sit there quietly and keep your opinions to yourself.

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5. Ladies Must Always Smile

You are allowed to be upset. I am not sure if some girls believe that you must always be smiling and happy to be considered a lady, but it is just not true. It is only expected that you are having a bad day once in a while. In fact, most people would consider it weird if you were always happy and smiling, and they would probably be annoyed with your peppiness after a while.

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6. Ladies Are Always Feminine

From someone who spent a good portion of their childhood playing sports and wearing jerseys, you can still be girly and like things that are “meant for boys.” So what? Who gets to dictate that boys can only enjoy something? You don’t have to constantly wear dresses and want to play with dolls to be considered a lady. You can have a wide variety of interests and no one will care.

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7. Ladies Never Make a Scene

A lady would never go out of her way to make a scene when something doesn’t go her way, right? Wrong. If something deserves making a scene about, go make a scene about it. Modern day women are allowed to speak their minds. You no longer have to feel bad if you want to yell and scream about things.

We no longer live in a society where women have to be well behaved to be successful and find a husband. Women should be able to do anything they want without fear of not being considered “ladylike.” What did you think of theses absurd rules of being a lady? What other rules do you know that you think are absurd? Why do you think so many girl hold onto these rules and let them dictate their lives?

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Where Thoughts and Opinions Converge

  • Audry

    2013-09-07T09:09:32.000Z

    I think Miley Cyrus wrote this post. It feels very liberating. But yes, anyone can do whatever we want. But honestly? Keep all this in Moderation LADIES. We can't just go around in public cursing and picking fights. If you need to do something (like speaking your mind), always remember to do it with grace. People will take you more seriously for it
  • Pinn

    2013-09-07T02:15:20.000Z

    Most of these "rules" make me want to throw up!
  • riki

    2023-03-02T15:08:14.915Z

    I completely agree
  • Lisa

    2013-09-08T21:31:28.000Z

    Btw... The article says not a word about "fighting" It says to speak up for yourself if the situation calls for it, if that means you need to scream out your views then let it rip!
  • Lisa

    2013-09-08T21:04:49.000Z

    I LOVE this article! I spend my entire childhood hearing my mother say things like "A lady doesn't sit like that" (Feet up in the chair) & "Little girls don't play in the mud" or "You always want to be considered a lady" Things like that & even @ a very young age I would think "Well, I AM a little girl & I DO like sitting this way, it's more comfortable" & "I am a little girl & I enjoy very much playing rough in the mud with the boys" It made me a VERY defiant child because I strived so hard to express my individuality that it made me rebellious! I know frm experience it is NOT good to try & MOLD a child one way or the other but I will say this.., It did make me the free spirited, open minded, non-judgmental, non-conformist that I am today!!!
  • Julia

    2013-09-07T13:13:54.000Z

    I like this list. I swear like a sailor, I never hold back my opinion, I'm not a big smiler, low maintenance. Everyone is always on my case to be more ladylike. I hate it. I don't want to be a lady I want to be a person.
  • Jackie

    2013-09-07T04:40:12.000Z

    NOOOOOO NO NO NO NO
  • Jackie

    2013-09-07T05:00:18.000Z

    Obviously we can all get mad and stuff but being a lady is being mature. I'm not going to burp in front of a business partner and act like its not a big deal. It makes someone look like a slob. It makes me look unladylike. Burping after u just ate McDonald's and ur in the car going home or something is different but when ur in public and u do something in a way disrespectful, YOU DON'T LOOK LIKE A LADY. Cursing is horrible. Why were we always told not to swear when we were little? Maybe because its something not so good! I understand sometimes they slip, but what if you start swearing in front of your kids, or ur kids friends... What happens? They start to question u because you aren't acting like a lady. Ladies are supposed to have class. So going to the store in ur pjs to me is unacceptable. U look like you just walked out of a dumpster! pajamas are for sleeping. Not for showing 'how cool u are because you wear pjs to the store'. The man is in charge of the house. His needs should go first. Again, scenarios. I get it. But men should get respect for all they do for us (if they are respectful to us ladies). Behavior is what makes a lady. If u see someone drinking with a case of beer in their hand just walking down the street, what do u think? "Stay away from that person because they could be dangerous considering they're drinking in daylight in the streets. A smile is what gives a lady her charm. We all have our bad days but a lady would tough it up and get on with her life. So do men. That's what makes men men and ladies ladies. Being a tomboy as a child is fine. But as you get older and need a job, what are you going to wear... Your favorite fball jersey and jeans with sneakers? No. Butthen again, I agree with the fact that its up to that person. But they can't stay a child forever. A true classy lady, would NEVER pick a fight. It's fine to speak your mind, just not with you fists legs or any other tactic people like to use. Sorry if you don't Iike this comment and a lot of people wouldn't read this. but to be honest this made me furious. Thanks so much for reading this to the end if you did.
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