Gaps in Society: The essence of the show

There's a scene in "The Lip Reader" where the group has a serious discussion on proper etiquette regarding a certain situation. George's girlfriend Gwen breaks up with him (by giving George's "It's not you, it's me routine" to him, at that), but the two of them were planning on going to a party that Friday. So Jerry poses the question about what to do in the situation. "If a couple breaks up, and they had plans to go to a mutual site, who withdraws? What's the etiquette?"

In another episode, "The Dinner Party," George becomes frustrated after finding out he is obligated to bring something to a party he was invited to. "You mean just going because I'm invited, that's rude?" he asks. He's angered at how society has forced him into this situation, lest he becomes an outcast.

These are just two of the many situations the group is forced to decipher, explain or simply understand. They're what's called "Gaps in Society."

Gaps in society are the unspoken rules that are still somehow understood by the majority of people. A lot of funny situations in the show (and a lot of other sitcoms) are results of people not knowing these rules, thus creating humorous responses. What makes Seinfeld so different from other shows is the group's attempt to understand these rules. They have conversations about these things that, to some people, might seem like nothing. But in reality, everyone at one time or another talks with their friends about these unspoken rules, if for no other reason than to understand them. The group certainly had its share of odd situations:
"She eats her peas one at a time."
"She just took credit for my salad."
"He's a regifter."

In fact, the group often times tries to justify these unspoken rules in their favor, which often times backfires, or at least reveals how horrible these four people really are. These characters are very selfish, immature, greedy, conniving people who often lie and take the easy way out of many situations. How often have you watched the show and thought "I can't believe they're really doing that," or "I can't believe they're really talking about this." That's what makes the essence of the show. These four characters get so hung up on the little things that you wouldn't think matter (though often times they do matter) that they forget the bigger picture.

What's interesting, though, is that, more often that you might think, the group is right! Seriously, why do we have to buy presents for people all the time? Why should people be condemned for picking their nose (everyone does it!)? What is people's obsessions with the kiss hello? These are the questions that demand explanations, because these occurrences happen too often for no valid reason. Things like this really add so-called depth to the show, if even about the most inane subject.

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As I get rolling with the episode diaries, a feature on each one will discuss the gaps in society discussed on that show. Some of them will be obvious, rather important topics that significantly pertain to the episode, others will be little things that I feel deserve discussion, and others will be in between.