7 Life Lessons ‘I Learned From ‘It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia’

It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia recently released a teaser for their upcoming 10th season, which will premiere in January. With that season coming up, I thought it’d be a good idea to reflect on the important life lessons It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia has already taught us. Here are just a few of them.

1. You won’t recognize the signs if you’re dating a retarded person.

Lesson learned from: Season 3 Episode 9: “Sweet Dee’s Dating a Retarded Person”

Sometimes you’ll be so smitten by someone that you’re dating that you’ll fail to realize they’re actually retarded. I’m not talking about someone who’s mentally challenged. I’m talking about someone who makes retarded life choices. You may fall for their suave looks, and somehow miss that you’re dating someone who can’t drive, lives with their parents, and is just genuinely an awful person. If you recognize that your friend is dating someone retarded, let them know. This is especially true, if you’re operating as the brains of your gang.

2. Buying a boat may seem like a good idea, but it’s not practical

Lesson learned from: Season 6 Episode 3: “The Gang Buys a Boat”

Everyone dreams of owning a boat that they can take out on the water to host P Diddy style parties, catch Forest Gump levels of shrimp, and of course, the implications.

The only problem is that people fail to realize the costs of actually owning a boat including the upkeep, the gas, and of course the shrimping equipment. Also, owning a boat means you are in charge of driving the boat. No one wants to be in charge of driving a boat back to land after spending an entire day partying. While owning a boat seems like a great idea, you’re better off knowing someone who owns a boat. That way, you insure that your boat and your cash don’t drown in a ball of flames.

3. Sometimes it feels good to just get black out drunk on your own terms

Lesson learned from: Season 3 Episode 2: “The Gang Gets Invincible”

Sometimes you can get caught up in the bar scene. You go out to meet up with people you don’t even really care to see and spend money you don’t have on drinks for people you’ll never see again. All of this is done while loud music pumps in behind you as you struggle to hear the person talking two feet away from you. Turns out some of the best nights are spent hanging out at a house with just a few of your close friends talking and getting black out drunk. This way you don’t have to deal with strangers, and you’re in the company of people you truly enjoy hanging out with.

4. Sometimes you have to salt the snail in your life

Lesson learned from: Season 5 Episode 4: “The Gang Gives Frank an Intervention”

Sometimes there are people in your life that just drag you down. Everyone has their own version of “Gail the Snail” in their life. They say inappropriate things at the wrong time, can’t take a hint, and cling to you like a snail. The only way to get rid of them is to salt them out of your life, and surround yourself with good people. Hopefully you only have to metaphorically salt the snail in your life. Nobody wants to salt another human being.

5. Appreciate the little things people do for you because they add up

Lesson learned from: Season 8 Episode 4: “Charlie and Dee Find Love”

In the beginning of the episode, “Charlie and Dee Find Love,” The Waitress yells at Charlie to stop stalking her. Charlie tries to defend himself by explaining all of the ways he makes her life run smoothly stating, “Do you have any idea what a mess your life would be if I wasn’t always helping you out?” In life you have to learn to appreciate the little things people help you out with, whether it’s taking out the dishwasher or stalking you from a distance.

6. You have to give yourself a spaghetti day every once in a while

Lesson learned from: Season 6 Episode 10: “Charlie Kelly: King of the Rats”

Sometimes you get stuck in such a routine that you forget to enjoy the pears of your labor. You spend all day in the rat race of life forgetting to step outside and enjoy it every once in a while. That’s why it’s important to give yourself a spaghetti day every once in a while to help you relax your body and mind. Everyone’s spaghetti day can be different. Just take a day to enjoy yourself.

7. You need to have a sidekick who can get you out of a jam.

Lesson learned from: Season 5 Episode 9: “Mac and Dennis Break Up”

In life you’ll get into a lot of jams. Jams can range from minuscule jams like wanting to watch a movie with someone, to large-scale jams like needing someone to bail you out of jail in Mexico. That’s why it’s important to find a sidekick that will bail you out of any type of jam. Find a friend that helps you deal with a cat in the wall situation, and you’ve found yourself a true sidekick.

So after you salt the snail in your life, have a spaghetti day on your friend’s boat and get black out drunk. After all, you’ve got a sidekick if you get in a jam.