Everyone is aware of the tacit code that all men live by. It’s the Guy Code, also known as the Bro Code — but what does it really entail? Women can benefit from understanding it, too, after all. Here’s what the standard secret Guy Code is, and why we really all should be following it:
- The first rule of the Guy Code is put your friends and family first. In other words, “bros before hoes.” While it’s true that your significant other should be considered your family, it’s important to remember that you should never forget about your friends when you get into a relationship. Moreover, it’s even more important to remember that a partner who isolates you from friends isn’t a partner you should choose.
- When you’re both bachelors, help a friend out. Guys are always willing to help a friend out when it comes to the dating scene. They are the ones that invented the whole “wingman” thing, and they’ve really perfected that practice. Instead of us girls bickering over who looks better, we should do the same. It would make the world a better place. While we’re on the subject, you definitely should help a friend out if you’re taken, too.
- If your friend does something stupid, bail him out. Assuming that your friend didn’t seriously hurt anyone, betray someone, or steal from anyone, you should stick up for them. Everyone does something stupid once in a while.
- Prank responsibly. If you have to wonder why this is a must-follow part of the Guy Code, then you probably haven’t seen what happens when pranks go wrong on YouTube. A prank that goes too far will end up with people angry at you. Don’t be that guy.
- Never complain about the free beer in your friend’s fridge, and never whine about cheap wine. Too often, we’re ungrateful for all the things out friends do and offer. Instead, we should say thanks for the free Natty Ice, even if it does taste like pee. Don’t forget that you could go without beer at all.
- Ask a friend’s permission before you date their ex. Some people really cannot handle seeing a friend date their ex, and if they’re still grieving the breakup, you should respect that. As much as it may hurt, the fact is that you know that your friend would do the same for you, too.
- Ask a friend’s permission before you date their crush. Some may say that “all’s fair in love and war,” and to a point, it is true. However, you will soon realize that if you’re the kind of person who dates friends’ crushes on the regular, you’ll soon end up without any friends. You know it would hurt if they did that to you, so don’t do it to them.
- Don’t talk about your friends’ sexploits. Listen, we all know secrets about our friends that would make Sigmund Freud blush. This is just the nature of friendships. As juicy gossip as it may be, it’s not cool to be the one to tell others what your friend shoved where. That would make you a pretty terrible friend, you know.
- During a fight, have your friend’s back. Nothing is worse than getting into an argument, only to realize that the friends who should have been looking out for you had faded into the shadows. If you value your friends, then stand up for them.
- If your friend is going through a breakup, make sure that you’re there for them. Guys, believe it or not, will be there for other guys when a girl dumps him. The worse the breakup, the more they will be there for him. Girls do it too, but it’s always good to have a reminder to be there.
- Help friends out when they’re moving. Because that’s what friends are for, and they’ll usually reward you with beer and pizza afterwards, anyway.
- If you know someone is going to betray your buddy, tell them before it happens. It doesn’t matter if it’s a cheating spouse, or if it’s a layoff about to happen. Tell your friend the news so that they can prepare for whatever is about to happen.
- Always keep contact with your bros. Your friends were there for you before you met your S.O. They’re there for you now, too. If you’re smart, you’ll keep them in your life as long as you can, because real bros only come once in a blue moon.
