Our 20-point guide for keeping the sisterhood safe… including NEVER making a move on a girlfriend’s ex
ALWAYS carry spare hair bands, never bring a guy to a girls night, and forever try your best to build your BFF's confidence.
These are just a few of the unwritten, yet universally accepted, set of rules that ladies all over the world abide by - otherwise known as 'Girl Code'.
But news of Ant McPartlin's new relationship has rocked the Girl Code community, with followers saying that the presenter's new girlfriend has broken the most important rule of all: your best friend's ex is ALWAYS off limits.
Yes it turns out that Ant's new love interest and personal assistant was once a close friend of ex-wife Lisa Armstrong.
With this in mind, here are the Top 20 rules of Girl Code for keeping the sisterhood safe...
1. NEVER even think about dating/kissing/sleeping with a friend’s ex, like Anne-Marie Corbett with Lisa Armstrong's ex Ant McPartlin.
There are plenty of fish in the sea, so don’t go for one your mate has cried over. They are strictly off limits. Forever.
2. ALWAYS tell a fellow female immediately if they have a mark on their face or something stuck in their teeth.
Do this quickly and efficiently, causing as little commotion as possible. In a quiet voice say: “Oh, you just have something there”, doing a brushing motion to the area of your face or point to your teeth.
3. ALWAYS be a provider for women in need. Dish out hairbands, painkillers, lip balm and tampons on urgent request.
4. NEVER, EVER tell a girl she has put on weight or that an outfit looks bad. Even if she asks you a million times for your honest opinion. Remember, if she’s happy in that dress, you’re happy.
Remember, if she’s happy in that dress, you’re happy
However, if the friend gives you several outfit options then you can delicately guide her to the best one.
5. NEVER reveal your true opinion of someone’s boyfriend or husband if you can’t stand him. The girl is likely to stay with him — not you.
Disclaimer: This rule of the Code can be broken if the boyfriend or husband is in any way abusive.
6. ALWAYS boost another woman’s confidence when possible. If you are in a bathroom at a bar or club and there are other girls around the mirror, it is Girl Code etiquette to tell them how awesome their hair/dress/lip gloss is.
7. DO NOT post any pictures on social media of your female friends without getting the nod from them first. It’s not cool or funny.
If your friend cringes at that picture of her taken at 2am when she’s strawpedoing a blue WKD and dancing with a cabbie, she certainly does not want her boss to see it.
8. ALWAYS allow a mate full access to your wardrobe and make-up bag. These things are simply materialistic — a friendship is for life.
9. NEVER tell a friend if you see her partner cheating on her. Confront him about it if you want to but never be the person to tell her.
NEVER tell a friend if you see her partner cheating on her
This is a controversial one and merely my adaptation of Girl Code rules.
If you tell her and she stays with him, she will be too embarrassed to remain friends with you.
And if she leaves him, she will always see you as one of the reasons why. Either way, it’s bad for you and your friendship.
10. REMEMBER a “girls’ night” is exactly that. Don’t be the code-breaker who brings along a new boyfriend because you can’t bear to be apart for more than 45 seconds. Show more respect for the rules.
11. ALWAYS get permission before dating a friend’s brother. That is not a conversation to have in retrospect.
12. NEVER, EVER sl*t-shame. Criticising a sister over rumours about her sex life is not OK. And even if they are not rumours, who are you to judge?
It doesn’t matter if she wears a dress you thinks looks tarty or takes the morning after pill more than you would.
Sl*t-shaming is the worst form of sexism — while women are taken to task for their sexuality, boys are congratulated. Well, not in the Girl Code. It is completely banned.
13. DO NOT hate other women simply because they are successful. Numbers 12 and 13 might sound simple, but without a doubt they are the most regularly broken Girl Codes.
Women who are genetically blessed in the looks department can often be seen as a temptress or a threat.
If you think: “I wouldn’t trust her with my husband,” it should be your husband you worry about, not a pretty girl.
Likewise, intelligent, successful women are NOT bitches. They are just bosses. Which is brilliant.
You MUST be there for her when she’s been dumped... even if it’s been years since you’ve seen her
14. ALWAYS be there for a friend who has had her heart broken.
She may well have fallen out of contact while in the throes of love, but you must be there with open arms and help dry her tears when she dumps him or gets dumped . . . even if it’s been years since you have seen her.
15. DO NOT let an intoxicated friend go it alone. Provide water, carbs, see her into a cab or take her to the toilet.
Warning: This may well involve you holding her hair away from her face while avoiding having the contents of her stomach splashed on your shoes. But she’s done the same for you. And she will again.
16. NEVER let any woman, friend or stranger, walk around with her skirt tucked in her pants, loo roll on her shoes or wearing clothing that is inside-out.
When informing the victim, keep your voice low, drawing minimal attention to the situation.
17. HELP a stranger in need. If a girl suddenly joins in your conversation and acts like she knows you at a bar or a party, it’s usually because she is looking for help or protection.
Always play along — you are probably rescuing her from the company of a creep.
18. NEVER even think about dating/kissing/sleeping with a friend’s ex, like Anne-Marie Corbett with Lisa Armstrong's ex Ant McPartlin.
There are plenty of fish in the sea, so don’t go for one your mate has cried over. They are strictly off limits. Forever.
19. ‘LIKE’ your friends’ new profile pictures, selfies and Instagrams.
You know the pressure of uploading a new photo so give some love back to other ladies who do the same. After all, every girl needs a fan base.
20. ALWAYS REMEMBER the golden rule of Girl Code: Ovaries before brovaries.
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