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Bromandments that everyone should know and observe
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Like the Code of Hammurabi and the Bushido laws of the Samurai, the Bro Code is an ancient set of rules that govern the behavior of the Bro. It’s often confused with the Regulations of the Bruh and the Dude Laws, but the Bro Code is a much more universal set of directives. We’re just kidding—the bro code is a mostly humorous set of ideas that supposedly dictate how men are supposed to behave. But while there are plenty of sarcastic or silly bro code “rules” out there, it is true that men follow an unspoken credo—one of respect, kinship, and surprisingly specific rules about which urinal you’re allowed to use. Read on to learn everything you’d ever need to know about the bro code.

1

Have your bro’s back.

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  1. This is the central pillar of the bro code. It is the lynchpin holding the entire constitution of bro-dom in place. Always have your homie’s back. If they call you in crisis, you get in your car and head over. If they just got dumped, give them a hug and treat them to a night on the town with the boys. If they’re struggling in any way, it’s your responsibility to watch out for them.[1]
    • This doesn’t mean that you should enable anybody’s behavior if it’s bad or unsafe in some way. If your friend wants you to “get their back” while they go rob a bank, you have responsibility to try and stop them.
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3

Don’t date your friend’s ex.

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4

Be inclusive.

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  1. Bros don’t discriminate, period. Whether one of your bros has the bravery to come out as LGBTQ+, or one of your bros isn’t even a dude in the first place, true bros are inclusive. The world already has too many people who try to make themselves feel bigger by putting down others, so don’t add to those numbers. You can’t honor the bro code if you don’t respect others.[4]
    • Don’t be mistaken by the moniker, “bro.” Girls can be bros, too. Non-binary folks as well. Bro is a state of mind, not a restrictive category.
9

Honor the men’s room rules.

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  1. Centuries of indoor plumbing have helped men around the world develop a very carefully curated list of bathroom laws that must be upheld. This includes:[9]
    • Avoid the middle urinals if the bathroom is empty. Fill in the corners and work your way inwards skipping every other urinal.
    • If the bathroom has only two urinals, use a stall if one of the urinals is occupied.
    • Never pee on the seat. Always lift the seat before taking a leak. If the seat is filthy, just use the side of your shoe to lift it up.
    • Wash your hands—even if you only peed. Don’t be that guy.
    • Absolutely zero eye contact is allowed. In the event you accidentally lock eyes, acknowledge the moment with a quick downward head nod and avert your gaze again.
    • Never go to the bathroom in groups. We don’t know why, but this is a core tenant of the girl code—the yin to our yang, so to speak.
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11

Gas your people up.

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  1. Hand out compliments like you’re running for office. Tell your friends you like their outfits, shout out new haircuts, and show love when someone achieves something at work or school. Making people feel good feels good, and showing your bros love is one of the best ways to make sure everyone is cared for.[11]
    • Like your friends’ social media posts! Those little gestures mean a lot.
    • A lot of guys have a problem with giving compliments to their male friends. By openly showing love, you’ll disarm a lot of that energy among your crew and make everyone feel better.
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14

Handle your beefs like an adult.

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15

Keep your friends’ secrets.

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23

Hug your bros.

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  1. There are too many taboos out there when it comes to men showing physical affection to one another. In fact, there’s an epidemic of men out there who are starved for physical touch, which actually contributes to feelings of loneliness.[23] Show your boys you care about them. Hug ‘em when you see them or part ways for the night and don’t hesitate to tell them you love them.[24]
    • Don’t let anybody judge you or put you down for showing your friends that you appreciate them. You’ve got nothing to be ashamed of.
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25

Put the weights back when you’re done lifting.

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  1. Physical fitness is important to a lot of bros, and that often means a gym membership. But if you’re going to honor the bro code, that means you’re legally required to put your weights back when you’re done using them. Okay, maybe not…legally required, but real bros will judge you from a distance for sure. Clean up after yourself.[26]
    • Bro code addendum: if your homie happens to pass away while you two are lifting weights, throw a few more plates on the barbell before you alert anyone.
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    What happens if your bro doesn't want to study with you?
    HighlyExplosive
    HighlyExplosive
    Community Answer
    Honor his choice. He may not want to study with you because he is tired or wants to be alone.
  • Question
    What is the most important rule of the bro code?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    There can be differing opinions, but clearly one of the most important rules is that bro's help each other out. That can cover a lot of territory.
  • Question
    A girl I really like dated someone I consider a friend. I found out he abused her. Can I still date her or not?
    WikiEmuJumper590
    WikiEmuJumper590
    Community Answer
    The girl is free. If you found out he abused her, try cutting contact. This does not violate bro code number 3. You're good.
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About This Article

Seth Hall
Co-authored by:
Life Coach
This article was co-authored by Seth Hall and by wikiHow staff writer, Eric McClure. Seth T. Hall (ICF ACC, CLC, and MNLP) is a Certified Life Coach and Founder of Transformational Solutions, a Los Angeles-based life-coaching company that helps people achieve their toughest goals, find their own voice, and think outside the box. He has been a life coach for over 10 years, specializing in personal development, relationships, career and finance, and wellness. He has helped his clients break the negative cycles in their lives and replace them with a positive, proactive mindset. Seth believes that everyone has the potential to live a fulfilling and rewarding life, and works passionately to help them reach their full potential. With a deep understanding of how our minds work and the power of positive thinking, he encourages his clients to find their unique paths in life and find success on their own terms. He is a certified master practitioner of Neuro-Linguistic Programming, a featured co-author for WikiHow, and co-author of "The Mountain Method”, “The Happy Tiger”, and “The V.I.S.I.O.N.S. Program”. This article has been viewed 125,545 times.
47 votes - 79%
Co-authors: 7
Updated: September 30, 2024
Views: 125,545
Categories: Supporting Friends
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 125,545 times.

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