People Who Don't Follow the Rules or Think the Rules Don't Apply to Them

[purplecat41877]

It really annoys me when people don't follow the rules. There are rules for a reason. They are not there just to annoy people and they are not there for decoration. Even if I don't understand the reason for some rules, I believe there is at least one reason.

For example, where I work, checkers aren't supposed to bring their pickups to the service desk unless told otherwise. Quite a few checkers don't follow this rule and sometimes bring the pickup to the desk when the service desk employees are busy with customers or whatever work they have.

The grocery store I work at also has a rule where store coupons from other stores and certain internet coupons can't be accepted. Some of the checkers accept these coupons anyway.

I've also seen at least one checker if not more ring up a gift card for a customer before the end of the order. We're supposed to find out how the customer is paying by the time the rest of the order is rung up, check ID if the customer is paying with a credit card, then ring up the gift cards.

[MadMike]

That's one of my biggest peeves as well. Don't get me wrong, I believe some rules are just plain stupid, like the one that says when you're 18 you can die for your country but can't have a beer, or the one that says you're not allowed to decide for yourself what to put into your own body, or the one that says it's illegal to sell something that's perfectly legal to give away (sex.) However, I get quite annoyed when I see people breaking rules that could wrong someone else. It pisses me off when I'm waiting at the intersection for the light to change, and three or four idiots blow thru the intersection after the light turns red. "Yeah, go right on ahead! Don't let the red light stop you!"

And while I'm sure this isn't what you meant, every so often we have to deal with someone on CS who thinks the rules don't apply to them. Believe me, it pisses off the moderating team to no end.

[Greenday]

And while I'm sure this isn't what you meant, every so often we have to deal with someone on CS who thinks the rules don't apply to them.

Definitely not talking about me, cause whoever you are talking about, the rules actually apply to and that isn't the case for moi.

Seriously though, it depends on the rule. Some rules are utterly and endlessly stupid and have no point. But as MadMike pointed out, certain laws like stopping at red lights are there for obvious reasons.

A lot of driving laws are broken and it pisses me off. Like cutting me off and not at least giving me a split second warning with your turn signal. People who don't use their turn signal is probably my biggest pet peeve as far as rule breaking goes.

[Boozy]

When people don't think rules apply to them, it's usually because they think they know better than the people who made those rules.

The laws of a democracy are fair game, because citizens should be constantly questioning their laws. It's their country, so they have a right to have a say in the rules. I think people also have a civic duty to learn about these laws before developing an opinion and flapping their gums about it. Unfortunately that rarely happens.

Workplace rules are similar. Employees have a stake in their company, so they have a right to know why rules that affect them are in place. With that said, sometimes I've explained a rule to a new staff member and gotten some attitude about it. I usually say, "Give it a few months and it will all make sense. Trust me, it's gonna make your job easier in the long run."

My head office has also issued some edicts I've disagreed with, but I never flat out refused to follow them. I'll just call my DM and say, "I understand why this has become policy, because it works for most stores. But it doesn't work for this one. I know this store better than some guy at H.O. that's never stepped foot in here. So what are we going to do instead?"

The answer's usually, "Fuck-all nothing." And that's when I break the rules. At least I try.

Forum rules are a whole other ball of wax. Here at Fratching, for example, we are guests on Rapscallion's server. If we were guests at Rap's home and he asked us to remove our shoes, we would, whether we do the same in our own homes or not. Guests follow the rules of their hosts.

[Slytovhand]

I'm with Boozy on this for the most part.

Rules and laws are usually directed towards a lowet common denominator. They are made up for those who won't bother to think through the full consequences of their actions. Something as simple as which side of the road to drive on. If everyone was mindful of everything going on around them, and were able to keep track of what's going on ahead and behind and to the side, there'd be less of a worry about it. But, since it's been shown that too many people won't even bother taking responsibility for their actions (let alone the consequences - which is why I sort of suck at my job... forcing ppl to accept those consequences) we have rules and laws.

There will be people who look at those rules and may think they don't apply to them - because they will actually see the rules as merely going to another level that doesn't include them.

I've had this sort of argument with a co-worker in the past. He reckons he should be allowed to go over the speed limit whenever he feels like it, because he's a more capable driver. I disagree (depending on the place), because accidents happen - because things happen you can't judge.

So, I think rules and laws apply - most of the time. Occasionally, not. But those times are by people who are willing to accept the consequences, and are done in ways that don't endanger, harm, or significantly inconvene others.

[Rapscallion]

I've had this sort of argument with a co-worker in the past. He reckons he should be allowed to go over the speed limit whenever he feels like it, because he's a more capable driver. I disagree (depending on the place), because accidents happen - because things happen you can't judge.

One fairly important problem with that attitude is that others who aren't good drivers (even if he is as good as he reckons) are going to see his example and follow it.

Rapscallion

[AFPheonix]

He also probably doesn't have an objective way to measure his driving prowess. So, I'm guessing that while he may have the opinion that he is an above-average driver, the reality is that most drivers think they are above average, even as their driving records disagree.

[ThePhoneGoddess]

When people don't think rules apply to them, it's usually because they think they know better than the people who made those rules.

Or they think they are better than the ones who made the rules. Bog knows I've dealt with that attitude enough. Most of my SC's at work are of this belief. "But I don't need to be verified. I'm not committing fraud!"

Well yeah, you may know that, but the whole point of the fracking rules is so we know that!

[Slytovhand]

Or they think they are better than the ones who made the rules. Bog knows I've dealt with that attitude enough. Most of my SC's at work are of this belief. "But I don't need to be verified. I'm not committing fraud!"

Well yeah, you may know that, but the whole point of the fracking rules is so we know that!

OOOhhhh - I hate those ones!!

They come at you with "I don't care about you fkn privacy laws - Just tell me...blah blah blah". Haven't had one in a while, but sheesh they're a right pain in the arse!

[Boozy]

I've had this sort of argument with a co-worker in the past. He reckons he should be allowed to go over the speed limit whenever he feels like it, because he's a more capable driver.

You should tell your friend that speed limits are set based on the likelihood of needing to brake or react suddenly. I can't remember the average human reaction time, but I do recall being told that 99% of humans fall within the same range, and that range is used to calculate speed limits. Reaction time does not appear to slow much with age in an otherwise healthy brain, although the speed in which one is able to move their body accordingly is affected.

It is not likely that your co-worker is extremely special in that regard.

[Slytovhand]

You should tell your friend that speed limits are set based on the likelihood of needing to brake or react suddenly. I can't remember the average human reaction time, but I do recall being told that 99% of humans fall within the same range, and that range is used to calculate speed limits. Reaction time does not appear to slow much with age in an otherwise healthy brain, although the speed in which one is able to move their body accordingly is affected.

It is not likely that your co-worker is extremely special in that regard.

Hahahahahahaha.... that's funny Boozy!

You couldn't tell that guy anything! He always knew better about everything (and, if he didn't know, then he'd just bypass the conversation, and go back to something else - usually cars. He was the guy I posted about ages back about always going on about cars..>)

[Evandril]

You should tell your friend that speed limits are set based on the likelihood of needing to brake or react suddenly. I can't remember the average human reaction time, but I do recall being told that 99% of humans fall within the same range, and that range is used to calculate speed limits. Reaction time does not appear to slow much with age in an otherwise healthy brain, although the speed in which one is able to move their body accordingly is affected.

It is not likely that your co-worker is extremely special in that regard.

Boozy, where did you find that information? I do know I speed, though the times I've been caught I've not been upset over the fact I have also tested my reactions while driving, and don't drive faster than I can deal with reasonably expected hazards...ie, if I'm driving around houses, I'm normally not going over 15 if the roads are tight, because that speed lets me STOP if something gets in front of me...but on the highway with nothing merging, and plenty of space to see, I'll drive well over the speed limit.

If they are set based on reaction times, why are the different through different areas? I've driven across a good deal of the US, and the speed limits don't match driving conditions that I've seen, for the most part. Driving in Colorado, I don't tend to do much over the limit, if at all, because conditions make that speed seem reasonable to me. Flat open road with nothing around, and a speed limit 10 miles *under* mountain roads? Yeah, different story

Another fact to check on...when the first gas crisis hit...the speed limits were dropped nation-wide...Did reaction times drop due to gas being rationed?

[Sableonblonde]

Admittedly, I only follow rules if they make sense to me and I can see the point of the rule being in place. If not, then...I'll just do as I please. As long as I'm not doing any harm then I don't see the problem.

[protege]

If they are set based on reaction times, why are the different through different areas?

Where I live, we have different speed limits on the same road. For example, the main road leading into my borough is posted at 40mph. As soon as you hit the borough line, it drops to 35mph...and back up to 40mph again as soon as you leave. On the road, nothing has changed. It's still a 4-lane, divided road. Some of that is because the traffic increase by the cloverleaf, the rest...we think, is because the police have nothing better to do than set up speed traps

[Boozy]

Boozy, where did you find that information?

From some law seminar I attended years ago. But I'm sure there is a wealth of information on the internet.

If they are set based on reaction times, why are the different through different areas?

Because reaction times (and the corresponding ability for your car to respond) vary according to road conditions. Some of the factors include visibility, the road grade's frictional resistance, natural and man-made safety barriers, surrounding buildings (ie school zones vs. freeways), natural flow of traffic and density, and frequency and speed of merging traffic from ramps and side streets.

Some of these factors a driver (especially one familiar with the area) will be able to judge themselves. I speed a bit in my old neighbourhood. But for the most part, there are so many factors working together that I tend to trust the people who studied all these things, figured it all out, and said, "Driving about this fast is probably safest."

No doubt there are more than a few areas in North America where the speed limit is just wrong. Often, it's due to changes in the road or surrounding environment since the limit was set, and no one bothered to re-evaluate.

Another fact to check on...when the first gas crisis hit...the speed limits were dropped nation-wide...Did reaction times drop due to gas being rationed?

Obviously they were trying to get people to lay off the gas. There's no harm in using speed limit laws to reap other benefits, too.

Fatal car accidents fell very sharply during the gas crisis, at least in my area. People were driving slower and less often. Makes me believe all the more strongly that gas taxes are too low. But that's for another thread...