Top 10 Insane Rules The Bachelor Contestants MUST Follow

Considering how many people who have appeared on the show who seem to have pretty serious mental health issues, you might be surprised to hear that everyone who stays in the Bachelor mansion has gone through an intensive psychiatric evaluation to ensure they’re mentally and emotionally fit to be part of the show. The test allegedly has 800 questions and one of the doctors who administers the evaluations said, "We want to make sure that people are going to be OK with coping with the stress involved, and make sure that they are going to be offered the help that they need if it's the case." Just imagine if we saw the rejects!

While this may seem kind of invasive, it actually makes a lot of sense. Along with the mental evaluations, the contestants also have to undergo some physical testing as well. Specifically, the 50 finalists in the selection process have to be tested for sexually transmitted diseases or infections before they are chosen to appear on the show. Considering the overnight dates are basically an invitation to get physically intimate, it’s logical that the show wants to ensure there’s no risk of anything spreading, especially since the Bachelor or Bachelorette is often sleeping with several people on back to back nights. Cozy.

For twelve months after the show ends, everyone who appears on “The Bachelor” or “Bachelorette” has a contract with ABC that stipulates that they are not allowed to make any other TV appearances that are not sanctioned by the producers. For example, Kaitlyn Bristowe, who was the star of the eleventh season of “The Bachelorette”, tweeted that she had wanted to be part of “Dancing With The Stars” after her season wrapped, but Mike Fleiss, executive producer and creator of “The Bachelor” franchise, wouldn’t allow her to do it since she was still under contract. You also sign a contract saying you consent to being filmed at all times, even by hidden cameras that you aren’t aware of.

One of the most exciting parts of any “Bachelor” season is when the guy goes and picks out a gorgeous – and hugely valuable – Neil Lane engagement ring for the woman he loves. Even if you’ve offered one of those rings however, there’s a catch. You only get to actually keep it if the two of you stay together for more than two years. If you don’t, it’s the property of ABC and you’re forced to give it back. That’s one reason to try to make things work! Clearly not a good enough one for many “Bachelor” couples though...

Because the women always look so good on camera, it would make sense to think that they have their hair and makeup done every day and their clothes are put together by professional stylists. In fact, they have to not only do their own makeup – except for the premiere and the finale – but they also have to bring all their own clothes. Not only that, but they have a packing limit of two suitcases! Former contestant Andi Dorfman said that includes,"clothing for both cold and warm weather, athletic wear, bathing suits, heels, tennis shoes, sandals, cocktail, long, and casual dresses, and heavy coats." Phew!

The Bachelor mansion is iconic, having been used to house the contestants for most of the most recent seasons of both “The Bachelor” and “Bachelorette”. The house itself is situated in Malibu, California, just outside of Los Angeles, so you know it probably gets pretty hot there, depending on when the show is filming. But despite its near tropical locale, they’re not allowed to turn on the air conditioning while they’re shooting. Is it just to stir the girls into an overheated frenzy? No, it actually has a practical reason: the sound of the A.C. would interfere with sound recording.

You know that contestants occasionally drop some choice curse words on the show, but there’s one word in particular that you will not hear – and it’s not a four letter one. According to former Bachelor Sean Lowe, that word is “process”. He told Glamour that every time someone says “process” when they’re taping an interview, they’re asked to repeat themselves while using the word “journey” instead. The reason for this is somewhat beyond us. Is it because “process” sounds technical and not romantic? Only the execs at ABC can tell us.

When they’re not going on dates, you may wonder what the contestants do all day in the mansion. Well we know they squabble and fight, but aside from creating drama, they also have to do some basic household chores. Yup, that’s right, they have to keep the house clean and cook all their own meals, even doing their own laundry. Food is provided for them by the show, but they have to prepare it all themselves. While there are plenty of perks on the show, it’s certainly not the luxury experience that you might imagine it is!

Speaking of what the contestants do all day, we know a few things they DON’T do. While they’re shooting, they don’t have any access to their phones, social media, the internet, TV or even books! There’s no way to follow the news, because the producers want contestants to be focusing on their “journeys”. Even music has to be sanctioned by someone behind the scenes. This rule makes sense, because it wouldn’t be very exciting to watch the girls scroll through Instagram while sitting by the pool. Melissa Rycroft said, "It's kind of shocking because for the first few days you're going through withdrawal of everything in your life. And it definitely feels like a bubble”. We can only imagine!

The dates are a key tenet of Bachelor nation, and as you might imagine, they’re mandatory. That means even if you’re terrified of heights and the activity is skydiving, you’ve gotta do it. One of the tamer date activities that often takes place is sitting down to a romantic dinner together. But foodies need not apply, because it turns out you’re not actually allowed to eat any of the food in front of you! The microphones would pick up too much noise from chewing, and of course, it’s just not attractive to see someone joying a meal! They actually get to eat off-camera in between filming segments. Bummer!