R is for Rules

People who don’t know me well are often surprised to find that I’m a rule follower.  I guess I seem like a rebel, but the truth is that I like rules.  They make the world go a little smoother if we all follow rules.  Wait in line.  Let people merge on the freeway.  Get to work on time.  Say please and thank you.  To me, these things don’t seem too difficult, but everything runs smoother if we all get on board.

I have a theory that people would be a little nicer if we were all required to go to one day of preschool every year as adults.  You know, kind of a refresher course on basic things like taking turns and being quiet when others are speaking.

I follow rules most of the time, except for when they’re stupid.  But when they are stupid, I say so.  Loudly.  And I continue to say so.  Normally, if I don’t like a rule, I manage to do as I’m told, but I make it known that I dislike the rule, why I dislike the rule, and what I think should be done.  I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that.  Sometimes rules need to be changed, but I’ll still follow it even if I don’t like it, because that’s how I believe it should be.

Being an individual and being independent doesn’t mean that we can’t treat one another with respect.  Part of that respect is understanding that rules apply to everyone.