Whether you're a millennial, parent of a millennial, or even older, odds are you have at least heard of the hit 90s television show "Friends". Thankfully for us youngins who were born a few years following the show's end, Netflix holds all 10 seasons. If you are my age, you may have watched this show without quite getting all the references, but there were still plenty of great lessons to take away from each member of this iconic group.
1. The truth about grandmas
Phoebe taught us through the song the truth about what really happens to not only grandmas but our selves with age.
Now, Grandma's a person who everyone likes, she bought you a train and a bright shiny bike. But lately she hasn't been coming to dinner and last time you saw her she looked so much thinner. Now, your mom and your dad said she moved to Peru, but the truth is she died and someday you will too. Lalala lalala
2. Unagi
According to Ross, "Unagi is a state of total awareness. It's not something you are, it's something you have."
If you're more of a Rachel fan, Unagi is a salmon skin roll.
3. Always research your roommates
"Friends", Chandler specifically, taught us that if you do not take the time to research your roommate before inviting them to move in, you may end up with someone who accuses you of murdering their goldfish and holds mannequin heads outside of coffee shop windows.
4. Tulsa is the worst.
Chandler: "You know how people say that Tulsa is the Paris of Oklahoma?"
Monica: "What? Who says?"
Chandler: "People who have never been to Paris"
5. It's best to count Mississippi-lessly
Remember the episode when Ross goes to get a spray tan and quickly goes from a level two spray to a level eight?
6. There are 100 different ways to spend Thanksgiving.
The creators of "Friends" were kind enough to give viewers one Thanksgiving episode per season. With that, we learned that there are quite numbers of ways to spend your Thanksgiving including: arguing over a Dutch girl (and where Dutch girls come from), crushing on Jacques Cousteau, and learning about the Hate Rachel Green Club".
7. Naming all 50 states is hard, even if you have a Ph.D.
Something we also learned from a Thanksgiving episode. Phoebe gives up the task and lists the different kinds of celery with a total of one; regular celery, Monica forgets 14 states, Rachel ends with 48 states, Ross goes well beyond the six-minute timer, making Joey the winner with a whopping 56.
8. Leather pants are a BAD idea.
Ross taught us that no matter how good you think you look, and even if your son thinks you look like a cool cowboy, leather pants are never a good idea.
9. PIVOT
When moving house furniture the best way to get it up the stairs is to "PIVOT, PIVOT".
10. Opposite is opposite
When Joey and Chandler argue over a chair when they are supposed to be getting ready for an event for Ross, Chandler hides Joey's underwear. In retaliation, Joey does the opposite and his version of the opposite of hiding someone's underwear well, as he puts it "opposite is opposite".
11. Not everyone's hair can survive humidity.
When the group heads to Barbados, Monica's hair grows by the minute and cannot withstand the humidity. Naturally, she was ridiculed with poodle and Diana Ross jokes.
12. Annoying people are inescapable.
Whether it's at the store, the hospital delivery room, or the showing of your potential new home, sometimes you just can't seem to get away from undesirables.
13. Always read the labels and follow their directions.
Remember when Ross whitens his teeth for a date and decides to leave the whitener on for a little longer than instructed?
14. Sometimes people aren't who they say they are.
This is something we learned from Phoebe and Joey. Or, should I say Regina Phalange and Ken Adams?
15. Advertising isn't hard
Chandler : Cheese. It's milk ...that you chew.
16. Transponster isn't a word.
When playing a game of who knows who best, Rachel and Monica lose their apartment to Joey and Chandler when Rachel answers the question: What is Chandler Bing's job, with "transponster".
17. Beef doesn't go in trifles.
When Rachel tries to make a dessert for Thanksgiving, she accidentally combines a recipe for a trifle dessert and a shepherds pie. Resulting in an odd, and unappetizing dish the rest of the gang is forced to eat.
18. Be careful with power tools.
19. Why your boss doesn't like you
Joey sheds a little light on the group when they all discuss that none of their bosses like them. Ross thinks maybe it's a universal thing.
20. If all else fails, you have magic beans
Translation: At least you have your friends.