The Ultimate Life Advice: Friends' Top 10 Tips That Will Change Your World

Summary

"Think twice before committing the offense": Joey and Chandler's bond faced a tough challenge after Chandler betrayed Joey by kissing his girlfriend. This incident served as a valuable lesson in assuming accountability for one's choices.

- Monica demonstrated the significance of storing crucial documents such as recipes in a secure location, emphasizing the importance of organization.

- Phoebe's counsel to Joey regarding the importance of waiting before reaching out to his agent served as a gentle reminder to viewers that patience plays a pivotal role in attaining understanding and fostering harmony and contentment in life.

Although Friends was primarily a comedy filled with laughter and enjoyable moments, it also imparted valuable life advice to its audience, some more profound than others. In 1994, Friends transported viewers to the bustling city of New York, allowing them to follow the ups and downs in the lives of six close friends. Throughout its 10-season run, Monica, Chandler, Phoebe, Joey, Rachel, and Ross faced a range of challenges. While most were tackled with humor, the characters also confronted genuinely serious obstacles, such as Monica and Chandler's struggle to conceive.

The show explored various topics and themes, resulting in numerous memorable quotes and moments that can serve as valuable nuggets of wisdom. Even in its funniest moments, Friends offered advice that fans can apply to their own lives. Whether they find answers to their troubles within the show or simply take solace in the laughter it provides, fans can rely on their favorite show to offer something meaningful. Here, we present ten pieces of life advice that Friends bestowed upon its fans, advice that undoubtedly continues to guide them in their own lives.

10 “Don’t Do The Crime If You Can’t Do The Time”

Joey and Chandler shared a strong bond of friendship in the show, but they faced their fair share of challenges. In season 4 of Friends, Chandler developed romantic feelings for Kathy, who happened to be Joey's girlfriend. One day, when Joey had a prior commitment and couldn't go on a date with Kathy, Chandler and Kathy ended up sharing a kiss. This led to Kathy breaking up with Joey and Chandler eventually confessing his actions to his best friend, who understandably became furious. In response, Joey imposed a silent treatment on Chandler for five long years, asserting the saying that if you commit a crime, you should be prepared to face the consequences.

However, in the end, Joey decided to forgive Chandler after witnessing his sincere efforts to make amends and realizing that Kathy also had feelings for him. The line "Don't do the crime if you can't do the time" may be controversial, as it can be easily misinterpreted. However, its essence lies in the idea of not engaging in actions if you cannot handle the repercussions or refuse to take responsibility for them.

9 Makes Copies Of Important Documents (Including Recipes)

Monica's excessive focus on cleanliness and organization was sometimes concerning, but it did provide the audience with valuable advice. In episode "The One With Phoebe's Cookies" from season 7, Monica expressed her desire to obtain Phoebe’s grandmother's chocolate chip cookie recipe. However, Phoebe's apartment fire destroyed the original recipe. Monica questioned Phoebe's failure to make a duplicate, store it in a fire-resistant container, and keep it at least 100 yards away from the original. In response, Phoebe simply stated, "because I'm normal."

While Monica's reaction was undoubtedly excessive, she was not incorrect in emphasizing the importance of making copies of significant documents, such as recipes, and storing them securely. The unpredictable nature of emergencies, such as fires, underscores the necessity of being prepared and safeguarding important materials for potential future use.

8 If It Doesn’t Matter, It’s A Moo Point

Joey, the somewhat unintelligent member of the group, possessed bits of wisdom that he occasionally shared. During the episode titled "The One Where Chandler Doesn't Like Dogs," Rachel developed a crush on her young assistant, Tag. Being a loyal friend, Joey provided Rachel with some advice. He inquired if Tag reciprocated her feelings because if not, it would be considered a "moo point." Joey likened it to a cow's perspective, explaining that it held no significance, hence the term "moo." Joey was undeniably the most carefree individual within the group. While the concept of a "moo point" may seem nonsensical, Joey was correct in the notion of disregarding what is irrelevant, albeit humorously labeling it.

7 “Patience Is The Road To Understanding, Which Is The Key To A Happy Heart”

In Friends season 10, Joey's agent, Estelle, passed away without his knowledge. Considering Joey's struggle with the numerous changes happening around him, Phoebe decided to withhold the news of Estelle's death and assumed her identity over the phone to prevent Joey from suspecting anything. Joey terminated his professional relationship with Estelle, only to later regret his decision. When Joey expressed his intention to rehire Estelle, Phoebe advised him to be patient, emphasizing that understanding is the key to happiness. Phoebe improvised this counsel on the spot to deter Joey from contacting Estelle, but Joey found amusement in her wisdom. Phoebe's words hold truth, as patience is indeed a valuable virtue that enhances joy and tranquility in life.

6 Never Put Beef In A Trifle

This helpful tip originates from one of the most memorable amusing moments in the television show Friends. In the Thanksgiving episode of season 6, Rachel willingly took charge of preparing the dessert and opted for a trifle. However, due to the pages of the cookbook being stuck together, Rachel unintentionally created a concoction that was half trifle and half shepherd's pie. This peculiar "dessert" consisted of ladyfingers, jam, custard, raspberries, sautéed beef with peas and onions, bananas, and whipped cream. While Joey enjoyed it, Rachel and loyal fans of Friends discovered the importance of exercising caution with cookbooks, carefully verifying recipes before commencing cooking, and never, ever introducing beef into a trifle (or any other dessert, for that matter).

5 Don’t Stay In A Relationship If You’re On Different Life Paths

The characters in Friends experienced various dates, relationships, and break-ups, and they teach us a valuable lesson about not remaining in a relationship where both individuals are on different life paths. This scenario occurred with Monica and Richard, as Monica desired a family while Richard did not want any more children and simply wanted to enjoy life. Rachel also faced a similar situation with Tag, as she longed to settle down, but Tag was still too young for that. Although these break-ups were difficult (particularly for Monica), both Monica and Rachel made the right decision, and it is important for viewers to carry this advice with them.

4 Ten Percent Of Your Paycheck Goes In The Bank

Friends also witnessed the financial struggles of its characters. In season 2's episode "The One With The Prom Video," Monica faced a difficult period of unemployment. Eventually, Monica made the decision to seek financial assistance from her parents, but expressing her predicament proved challenging. Her father, Jack, reminded her of the importance of setting aside 10% of her income in a bank account for emergencies like this. Unfortunately, Monica had depleted her savings. Jack's advice is crucial for everyone, regardless of age, to ensure preparedness for unforeseen circumstances and to improve money management skills.

3 Never Steal Your Friend’s Thunder

Despite being best friends, Rachel often proved herself to be an utterly terrible friend to Monica. Firstly, she shamelessly stole Jean-Claude Van Damme, Monica's crush, right from under her nose. Then, years later, she once again stole Monica's thunder by kissing Ross just before they all gathered to celebrate Chandler and Monica's engagement. This pattern repeated itself during Monica's wedding, when Phoebe stumbled upon Rachel's pregnancy test, catapulting Rachel back into the spotlight. While Rachel craved attention, true Friends fans undoubtedly recognize the importance of letting their closest companions bask in their defining moments.

2 Be Yourself, Not What Others Want You To Be

Rachel, a character in the show Friends, experienced significant personal growth throughout the series. Initially portrayed as a privileged individual with no work experience, she ultimately evolved into a successful executive in the high-fashion industry. Rachel's journey was far from easy, as she had to overcome the expectations her family, particularly her father, had for her. In a memorable speech, Rachel spoke about being constantly labeled as a shoe, but questioned whether she could be something different, like a purse or a hat. Her message to the audience was clear - it is never too late to reinvent oneself and embrace their true identity. Rachel's story served as a reminder that once you are authentic and true to yourself, everything falls into place.

1 A “Break” Has Different Meanings

The infamous moment in Friends that stands out above all others is undoubtedly the notorious "break" between Ross and Rachel. This highly controversial event has been the subject of heated debates for years, focusing on the true meaning of a "break" and the dos and don'ts that should be followed during such a period. Ross and Rachel's conflicting interpretations of what a "break" entailed only added fuel to the fire. The paramount lesson to be gleaned from this entire "break" debacle in Friends is the crucial importance of communication in any relationship, be it romantic or platonic. Failure to communicate effectively can give rise to larger problems that can potentially impact not only the individuals involved but also those around them.