If you opened this post, I am happy to announce you are human.
Congratulations.
Why is it that, when someone commands us NOT to do something, we are invariably tempted to do it anyway – even if we weren’t interested in doing it in the first place?
I am a law-abiding lady, but a terrible rule-breaker. Who can help it when people with whistles are telling you:
You can’t swim with a face mask in a public pool.
Don’t walk on the grass.
Don’t try to go through a yellow light.
Don’t walk across the street on red, even if there are no cars coming from either direction.
Don’t enter the subway as the doors are closing.
Don’t sit on that wall – it’s dangerous.
Is it that the rules are petty or that we feel bossed around and mildly insulted by the micro-managing of strangers?
Perhaps the most glaring example of over-regulation I can think of is found at the gate of my apartment complex.
There are two push-dial gates which let those with key cards enter the complex. Between these pedestrian gates and the guard station is a larger gate for bikes. Sometimes I didn’t have the key card, so I went through the bike gate. Over time I became friendly with a couple of the guards and enjoyed exchanging smiles and nods as I went to and from the supermarket or subway station.
But then, SOMEONE decided that shouldn’t be allowed. So a second gate was installed so that, for anyone to go in or out, two gates had to be opened…by the guard.
The pleasant guards now seem to think it’s too much trouble to open both gates, so this new, frivolous rule has tampered with a bright spot in my walks.
I think THAT is why I’m tempted to break rules, because people set up rules to stop you from doing something that doesn’t hurt anybody and that could bring a little more sunshine into your day.
In fact, I’m fairly sure I had a part in the making of two new rules myself – but I’ll never know for sure.
First, I take DD – a driving company – cars once in awhile as it’s more convenient than the subway. One day I was out with my mom and a sister and I called for a shared car. There was an extra seat left, but the driver got really upset, worrying that someone might call and need seats for two. I had never seen any rule about this, otherwise I would have called for an exclusive vehicle, but as it was my mom was tired and we had stuff to carry and basically just wanted to get home, so in the end the driver grudgingly relented.
The NEXT time I called for a shared car, however, there was a button where I had to tell if I was traveling with one person or two. Never saw that button before. Coincidence? I’d tend to think not. Maybe I just like the idea of being the one to make a large company change its policy? (Evil grin)
The second law I may or may not have put into effect was on a smaller scale. Again, at times I don’t have my gate key on me. So sometimes in our subdivision, I would go under or around the traffic bar. Traffic there is light to nonexistent, so again I didn’t feel like it was dangerous or detrimental. But within a few weeks of my moving into the area, bars were placed in the gaps around the traffic bar and vertical slats were installed from the bar to the ground.
Again, maybe it had nothing to do with me. But, who knows?
What do you think? Do you have that same inner drive to rebel against petty prohibitions? Oh wait, I already know the answer to that…YOU READ MY POST!
Cheers!
P.S. WordPress is full of rebels. This post has the most views of any I’ve written so far! =D
Dang. Right on! Amazing post. Idk about other people.. But super relatable to me! 😁
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Thanks! Hehe
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I love breaking harmless rules ! Especially if it’s less tiring 😉 I used to live in an apartment block before, with fences and only one gate. It was kind of big, and sometimes I arrived from the opposite side of the gate, which was also closer to my own building. So I’d just climb up the the gate. Some neighbours were so pissed off even though I showed them my badge and keys ! 😄
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Lol. I guess that makes us the two mutineers?
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Ah heck, I’m a rebel.
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Lol. Join the gang.
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There are twelve rebels so far. 😀
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Well written. You are too good at this. You know how to catch people attention with your writing. Good I subscribe to your page and many will subscribe to your page soon too.
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Thank you very much! I enjoy it and I hope you’re right. 😀
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They will if they want to read blogs with some good interesting content and that you have. The posts just has to be seen by others 😀
You are good at blogging I must admit.
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You are better!
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I appreciate the support 😀
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I’m soooooo NOT a rule breaker but I enjoy this!
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You’re lucky I approved your post. You’re the rebel on this page. LOL
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Hahahahaha😁
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I was so surprised that I broke the rule and read it even though it said not to…and then I felt bad!haha🙈🙈🙈
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Don’t feel badly. I’m curious how many people were just like, “Well I dunno why someone would want me reading her post, but OK!” and moved on. Not many, I would guess. It’s human nature to touch what you’re told not to. That’s why museums have glass around their exhibits.
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You’re so right!
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So, I am not the only rule-breaker!
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Nope! There are 26 to date! 🙂
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Reblogged this on Nutsrok.
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Thank you!
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100% relatable to me.
You got it right 100%! 😀 😀
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YOU’RE HUMAN TOO!!!
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Feels real good. 😉
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You rebel you 😉
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Only a little bit! 😉
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If I ever had to move back to UK I’d be loccked up within a week due to their petty rules that are only in place so some jobsworth can enforce them and feel important. If I can’t act sensibly then I should not be allowed out.
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Lol. Love your last line. Totally agree! Lock me up or give me head!
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Ha…great title. Thanks for coming by my place and the follow. I look forward to seeing what you have going on here!
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Thank you. I appreciate it. 🙂
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Some rules were made to be broken. Great post! 😉
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Thank you!
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I break little rules all the time, especially rules designed to exclude people. I think most people break little rules all the time. I never met a cab driver who doesn’t speed up to make through a yellow light. The problem is not the little rules but the bigger ones that set for the legal basis for what we think of as a civilized world.
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EXACTLY! I totally agree.
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Oh yes, I’m a rebel fer sure!! Aha!! So it WAS you who had them install that button, and those extra gate bars!! lol
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Possibly…
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😉
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Hahahaha. People like mystery? Like, hey.. it says don’t read. I wonder what it’s about? Good title for the post content. I love it. ❤
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Thank you! I thought a lot of people would click, but I would be equally amused if no one had. 😉
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Ha! Love the wittiness!
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Thank you!
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Hi Minnie– I’m not really a rule breaker– but your invite was too tempting (and harmless enough!). Just read your “About” and it sounded a lot like my son’s story! He studied Chinese and then traveled to China, got a jog in Shanghai, met Zhou and married. He taught physics at an International school for 10 years, had 3 daughters and just recently they moved back to California– we love having them closer!! But made 11 trips to China to see them over the years!! Anyway, your story was intriguing to me– thanks! God Bless.
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Thank you for reading and empathizing! It sounds like your son is a bit further along in his life journey than I am, but it’s really great that he’s had that international experience in his life. And it’s awesome that he found a bride here! I hope they have a long and happy Union wherever they go!
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Although these rules are for your benefit and safety in the apartment complex, each time you broke one and were seen they seem to have taken another precaution to make it harder for the “unwanted” to make it through. Your apartment gate is not different than the passwords on computers. i often swear at my computer because the only one who the password keeps from getting into my machine is me. These things often become a competition between you and them, like between me and the squirrel that raids my bird feeder everyday.
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Haha. Good point. And perhaps the complex is a safer place because of it, but it’s a bit frustrating.
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Reblogged this on Brainy Versatility.
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Thank you!
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