How “We Don’t Do That Here” Became The Perfect Meme For Calling Things Out

The “We Don’t Do That Here” meme, featuring T’Challa from Avengers: Infinity War, has become the internet’s go-to for politely shutting down bad ideas, cringe trends, or inappropriate behavior.

Born from Chadwick Boseman’s iconic line, it blends humor with firm boundary-setting, thriving on Reddit, Twitter, and TikTok. Explore its origins, cultural weight, and why it remains a timeless tool for saying “absolutely not” with style.

1. What Is the “We Don’t Do That Here” Meme?

What the Meme Looks Like and How It’s Used

The “We Don’t Do That Here” meme isolates the moment in Avengers: Infinity War (2018) when T’Challa (Chadwick Boseman) responds to Bruce Banner’s awkward bow by saying calmly but firmly, “We don’t do that here.”

The still or GIF of T’Challa’s calm expression is then displayed online to humorously dismiss behaviors, trends, or ideas that seem out of place, like microwaving fish in your office or bringing back lingos you used to use as a kid. It’s a funny reversal of polite but absolute shutdown as to cultural regression.

Is This the Internet’s Most Polite Way of Saying ‘Absolutely Not’?

Yes, it’s a master class in passive shade. The effectiveness of the meme is that it can register social limits playfully and politely.

Whether calling out cultural faux pas or simply mocking overused trends, it registers disapproval without real venom, which makes it perfect for a collective and playful response to members of the group for collective adherence.

2. Where Did the Meme Come From?

Movie Scene Source – Avengers: Infinity War (2018)

The meme comes from a scene in Avengers: Infinity War where Bruce Banner (Hulk), in an awkward attempt to be respectful, is gently rejected by T’Challa who responds, “We don’t do that here.”

T’Challa says “We don’t do that here”, with a type of stern, authoritative tone and subtle restraint that is trademark Boseman. According to IMDb this moment clamored for attention, from its cultural significance to meme-ification.

Meme Emergence and Popularity

Not long after the film was released in 2018, the line was blazing up on Reddit and Twitter, as users began using it to roast bad ideas, and cringe-worthy moments that we don’t do here.

By 2019, it started taking the form of a quote meme, often with T’Challa’s image, where it was used to shut down everything from bad fashion, to questionable hot takes. An example of its rise is documented on Know Your Meme.

3. What the Meme Represents Emotionally and Culturally

Cultural Boundary-Setting with Humor

The meme is an alternative way to display cultural pride or establish personal boundaries, whilst having a face-saving non-aggressive approach.

It humorously and literally says “no” to things that are not culturally acceptable to the group (e.g., pineapple pizza on the pizza of a purist). Its comedy invites all people into the joke, but helps effectively establish what behaviors are ‘not okay’.

Polite Rejection as a Meme Format

The calm tone of the meme, juxtaposed with the strong disapproval level, makes it universally relatable. Unlike an aggressive call-out, it feels like a reassuring shove to “do better”, which is part of the meme’s virality in both professional and personal contexts (i.e., workplace behaviour, pop culture disputes).

4. Common Meme Caption Styles and Variants

Classic Caption Examples

The meme’s captions are sharp and relatable, often poking fun at everyday scenarios:

• “When someone tries to microwave fish in the office: We don’t do that here”

• “When a 2023 movie has a laugh track: We don’t do that here”

• “Me seeing pineapple on pizza: We don’t do that here”

These quips amplify the meme’s ability to call out absurdities with a smirk.

Visual and Contextual Variants

The meme appears as captioned clips, GIFs, or screengrabs with or without added everyday phrases such as, “Not in this house” or “Absolutely not,” sometimes edited with repository social coding reference points.

While the TikTok creators use the meme as a skit mimicking the awkwardness and layering audio making this meme perpetually relevant.

5. How Chadwick Boseman’s Delivery Boosted the Meme

Iconic Line from a Respected Figure

Chadwick Boseman’s poised delivery as T’Challa gave the line its cultural weight. His calm authority made the rejection feel both respectful and final, amplifying its meme appeal.

After Boseman’s passing in 2020, the meme took on added reverence, often used with tributes to his legacy, as noted in articles like ScreenRant.

Wakanda’s No-Nonsense Identity

The meme draws on Wakanda’s fictional identity as a proud, self-assured nation. T’Challa’s line reflects cultural intelligence and boundary-setting, resonating especially with Black communities who use it to assert values or reject stereotypes with humor and grace.

6. Comparison to Other “Rejection” or “Boundary” Memes

Related Formats

The meme shares space with other rejection-themed visuals:

• This Is Not the Vibe: Signals a mood mismatch with a blunt tone.

• Absolutely Not: A direct shutdown, often paired with dramatic imagery.

• How About No?: Playful but firm, used for quick rejections.

These formats all emphasize social disapproval but vary in delivery and context.

Why This One Stands Out

The “We Don’t Do That Here” meme shines for its calm yet authoritative tone, rooted in a culturally significant film. Boseman’s delivery and Wakanda’s symbolism give it a unique edge, blending humor with gravitas for lasting impact.

7. Will the Meme Stay Relevant?

Continued Use in Boundary-Setting and Trend Critique

As long as people need to call out bad ideas or cringe trends, this meme will thrive. Its versatility in social commentary—whether mocking outdated norms or workplace gaffes—ensures its relevance. It’s especially potent for cultural critique, keeping it fresh in 2025.

Cultural Meme Status

The meme ranks among top-tier quote memes, alongside “Drake Hotline Bling” and “Is This a Pigeon?” Its roots in Avengers: Infinity War and Boseman’s legacy give it a lasting spot in both film and social meme culture.

Conclusion

The “We Don’t Do That Here” meme, born from T’Challa’s iconic line in Avengers: Infinity War, is the internet’s classiest way to say “nope.”

With Chadwick Boseman’s gravitas and Wakanda’s cultural weight, it shuts down bad ideas—from pineapple pizza to office fish-microwaving—with humor and poise. Thriving on Reddit, Twitter, and TikTok, it’s a timeless tool for setting boundaries and roasting trends.

Next time you spot something that doesn’t vibe, channel T’Challa and let the meme do the talking.