20 Things 'Friends' Taught Us About Life

Today, September 22nd 2014, marks 20 years since the first episode of ‘Friends’ aired on TV. Wow. So that’s 20 years since Rachel ran out on her wedding to Barry, 20 years since she moved in with Monica and never left, and 20 years since we – the whole world – became obsessed with six people who spent a lot of time sitting on a sofa drinking coffee. Now we understand how ‘Gogglebox’ became a thing…

While we’re led to believe the traditional gift for the big 20 is China, Ross, Rachel, Joey, Phoebe, Monica and Chandler probably have enough of that (all those coffee cups, no?), so instead we’re celebrating by remembering the 20 life lessons that ‘Friends’ taught us. 

You don’t have to be a shoe forever 

As Rachel showed, you can run away from your own wedding, be cut off from your daddy’s constant funding and still make the transition from shoe to purse or hat. You don’t get it? IT’S A METAPHOR, DADDY!

You should never bet your apartment in a game 

Unless you have the crappy apartment, in which case you have nothing to lose, unlike Monica who learned the hard way. 

Domino’s Two For Tuesday deal doesn’t necessarily have to be shared

Just call it a Joey Special and eating two pizzas to yourself becomes totally acceptable. 

You should probably check you’re officially broken up with your girlfriend before you hook up with someone else

Or prepare to be locked in the world’s longest TV argument FOREVER.

Even the hottest patooties have a past you might not expect 

It’s why the ‘Hide Photo’ option on Facebook was invented, you know. 

You only need one word when moving bulky furniture

So why would we say anything else? 

Girls CAN propose to boys

Just expect a lot of snot and tears, if said girl is anything like Monica, that is.

You CAN go too far with fake tan…

Three words: "I’M AN EIGHT?!"

…and teeth whitener

"What’s a matter with me? You’ve got a black light. It’s 1999!”

Men should probably never wear leather trousers… 

Ever.

…or blue lipstick 

Unless you're dating Ke$ha circa 2010. 

Not all girls can pull off braids…

Not even when singing Bob Marley’s ‘No Woman, No Cry’.

…but turkeys make excellent accessories

Imagine the smell.

Drawing on your friends’ faces when they’re asleep/drunk never gets old

Try to resist the urge to marry them though, unless you’re sober, and really like them.

The further away you are from home, the more likely you are to hook up with your mates 

See Monica and Chandler in London, and Rachel and Joey in Barbados, should you require clarification. 

You probably shouldn’t invite your ex round for dinner, with one of your best friends, who she is now dating…

…or you will experience a freak out of the highest order, like Ross here. Though he does make some valid points!

You will encounter some food in life that is literally so good that you’d eat it off the floor

Enter the Mama’s Little Bakery cheesecake of dreams. 

Danny DeVito was definitely a stripper in a previous life

His appearance at Phoebe’s bachelorette party was one of the best ‘Friends’ guest spots of all time. 

Fake names will never not produce lols

Especially when they’re as random as Princess Consuela Bananahammock and Crap Bag. Oh, and how could we forget Regina Phalange? 

And finally, on a soppier note, sometimes those crazy, dysfunctional, on-off relationships actually do work out in the end

There is hope for Justin and Selena after all.