10 Animal Crossing Unwritten Rules Everyone Follows

Even though Animal Crossing: New Horizons offers a world of freedom, many players find themselves adhering to a set of Animal Crossing rules that aren't explicitly stated in the game. These unwritten guidelines have organically emerged within the community. Let's dive into 10 unspoken rules that most Animal Crossing players follow, even if they don't realize it.

1. Don't Run Through Flowers

Part aesthetics, part throwback, running across flowers causes the blooms to fall off. While it doesn't damage the flower, it sets it back to the bud stage. For hybrid flower creators, this delays progress.

However, even if you aren't hybridizing, many players still avoid trampling their flowers. This Animal Crossing rule might be a throwback to older games, where running over flowers could destroy them entirely, so players walk carefully near their blooming flowers.

2. Change Out Of Your Wetsuit When Not Diving

Some Animal Crossing rules mirror real-life etiquette, such as not wearing a bathing suit all day after swimming. Most players change out of their wetsuits after diving for sea creatures. It feels wrong to walk around the island in just a swimsuit and mask, especially if you've styled your avatar carefully.

Plus, wearing a wetsuit hides your outfit! While keeping it on makes sense to save inventory space, the unspoken rule is to change into something more appropriate.

3. Give Pascal The Scallop

When diving, you might encounter Pascal, the red sea otter. This beloved character offers wisdom to passing players. When you catch your first scallop of the day, Pascal asks to trade it for a nice item, including mermaid-themed furniture recipes and pearls.

Even after getting every recipe, it's an Animal Crossing rule to give Pascal the scallop. How can you say no to that adorable face, anyway?

4. Have One Of Each Personality Type Villager

This "rule" varies, as everyone has dream villagers. Some collect specific types or themes. However, many aim to have one villager per personality trait. There are eight villager personalities in ACNH: Lazy, Normal, Jock, Peppy, Cranky, Snooty, Smug, and Big Sister.

New Horizons receives criticism for its repetitive character interactions, exacerbated by multiple villagers with the same personality. To avoid this, players collect one of each type for a varied and colorful cast.

5. Choose The "Nice" Option When Thanking Your Camp Caretaker

In Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp, players can appoint a Camp Caretaker to help out. When you log back in, you can choose how to respond. Although all responses are positive, most fans choose the "nicer" option.

Even though the characters aren't real, many players make it a point to be polite to their favorites. Do you always choose the nicest option, even in a game?

6. Put Your Tools Into Specific Inventory Spots

Inventory space is limited in Animal Crossing: New Horizons, holding only 40 items when fully upgraded. Six slots are always occupied by tools: axe, shovel, fishing pole, net, watering can, and slingshot. Tools can be placed anywhere, but many keep them in the top or bottom row.

Some keep tools on the bottom to prevent items from filling the spot when a tool breaks. For many, the tools just belong in a specific order in the top row, even if there's no functional reason.

7. Donate The First Find Of Any Kind To Blathers

A core aspect of Animal Crossing is the museum, hosted by Blathers. Players donate new fish, bugs, fossils, and artworks to add to the museum. One of the most common Animal Crossing rules is to always donate the first of each item you discover.

This prevents accidental gaps in the museum's catalog. Even if you're not striving for museum completion, the rule is ubiquitous; it's become a meme.

8. Follow Proper Etiquette When Visiting Another Player's Island

Animal Crossing: New Horizons allows players to visit others' islands. During a visit, interactions are limited, like picking items and speaking to villagers. To keep things fun, the community has created a list of rules.

These rules include: don't run through flowers, don't shake money or fruit trees, only pick up agreed-upon items, don't wear a wetsuit, don't litter, and exit via the airport. It's always nice to leave a tip and ask for permission. These ACNH etiquette tips are vital for respectful visiting.

9. Don't Hit Villagers

There are wholesome ways to interact with villagers: speaking to them, giving gifts, and making reactions. Hitting a villager with a bug net is a quick way to make them mad. There's a myth that hitting villagers makes them leave, but the inverse is true: hitting counts as an "interaction."

When hit, villagers react negatively. For many players, hitting villagers on purpose is frowned upon, and some feel bad about accidental taps. The exception is with villagers that players don't like.

10. Don't Re-Gift Villager Presents

Occasionally, villagers present players with a gift as a thank you or a sign of friendship. Since villagers sometimes use the gifts they're given, it's only fair to do the same in return. There's nothing stopping players from re-gifting, but most keep the gift.

This is especially true of the villager's photograph, a mark of great friendship. This is one of the most wholesome unwritten Animal Crossing rules.

These Animal Crossing rules, though unspoken, shape the way many play the game. Whether you're protecting your flowers or avoiding re-gifting, these guidelines add a layer of community and etiquette to your island life.