10 unwritten rules for healthy social relationships

Striking a balance between being yourself and allowing others to be themselves is tricky. Even the written rules are tough to follow on a bad day. But it is the ones we choose to willingly follow that make everyone's life easier and happier.

These 10 common courtsey practices apply to anyone anywhere and you will appreciate how much stress they take away from your life.

1. Empathise with the person giving you bad news

If you know the person giving you bad news, acknowledge that it might be a difficult position for them. Handle the news with dignity and don't make it worse for yourself or them.

2. Compliment looks

If a woman looks younger than her age in your opinion, tell her. And when you tell someone they look like someone esle, make sure the person you are comapring them to is unquestionably good-looking.

3. Never order expensively on someone else's bill

If someone is treating you to lunch or dinner, order something of less value than what they order or ask them to order their meal of choice for you. If someone buys you a drink, buy them one back.

4. Return money/property before expected time or on time

Repay or return money or property before the other person remembers lending it to you. Whether you are returning 1,000shs or 1 million. You will earn their respect and appreciation.

5. Avoid awkward questions

If the answer to a question is likely to make someone feel awkward or uncomfortable, avoid it. You most likely don't need to know, they will tell you if they want or it is not your problem. Silence is a far less harmful awkward experience.

6. Avoid making failure worse

If someone loses their money or makes a bad investment, don't give them the 'I told you so' or remind them how they should have listened to you. Resist this devil in order to not make another person's failure worse.

7. Always open the door for someone behind you

Whether female or male, always open or hold the door open for someone coming behind you.

8. Don't swipe when you are given the phone

When you are given the phone to see a picture, don't swipe or scroll through their gallery, messages or call log.

9. Never leave the phone face up on the table

If you're on a date, hanging out with friends or in a meeting, leave your phone out of sight. Put it in silent and away.

10. Do not stare

If a colleague, teammate or classmate is shouted at, don't stare. If someone drops their food on the floor, doesn't know how to use fork/knife, don't stare. If someone sneezes, coughs or any other uncontrollable/involuntary reaction, do not stare.