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single23-Aug-2008lawMatty Survey Central SubscriberGold Star Survey CreatorSurvey Qualifierby votes45560.5%

  Do you follow the rules?

The field is wide open: religious rules, driving rules, policies of your employer, etc. And obviously, I don’t mean every single rule, all the time. But generally speaking, do you believe rules are a nuisance only to be followed when the potential exists for you to suffer repercussions? Or do you believe that rules should generally be followed?

VotesAnswer
13Usually
12Almost always
6Only when necessary
5I am ambivalent about rules.
2Other
1Almost never

UserComment
Galomorro Bronze Star Survey CreatorGold Qualifier
posted 23-Aug-2008 5:19pm  

Depends on what kind of rules they are. This is too vague. Some rules don't make sense to me but others do.
Melf Survey Central SubscriberBronze Star Survey CreatorGold Qualifier
posted 23-Aug-2008 5:32pm  

Generally, I think life is better when you follow the rules.
llamamama
posted 23-Aug-2008 5:39pm  

I pretty much always follow rules. I don't see why I shouldn't..It's not so much that I follow the rule necessarily because it's a good rule..but out of respect for the person/people who put it into place.
southernyankee Bronze Star Survey Creator
posted 23-Aug-2008 6:00pm  

I am ambivalent. Obviously, the rule of law is the most fair way to run a society, but then again if the wrong people (or even right ones, they're human) get in power you can get pretty crappy rules.
Crayons Bronze Star Survey CreatorSurvey Qualifier
posted 23-Aug-2008 6:46pm  

The rules normally don't prohibit something I want. If they do, I just lie.
LindaH Survey Central Gold SubscriberGold Star Survey Creator
posted 23-Aug-2008 8:07pm  

I don't see them as something people with a conscience need to "follow". Most rules were written for people who don't know how to act (or aren't sure how to go about procedures.)

So I guess in a sense I "follow" procedure sorts of rules, but as for rules that are already aligned with what I do anyway, I don't follow those. They just happen to match how I act.

Unreasonable, stupid rules are a nuisance only to be followed when you want to avoid the consequences. Reasonable ones should be part of what decent people do anyway. No "following" needed.
dpurdy33
posted 23-Aug-2008 9:08pm  

As my House Prefect I have to set an example for the other students so I try to follow the School's and our House's rule the as best I can
LJD Bronze Star Survey CreatorGold Qualifier
posted 23-Aug-2008 11:37pm  

I try to follow the rules.
caviartaste
posted 24-Aug-2008 12:52am  

I agree with LindaH for the most part.....but for rules that don't align with my philosophy- I try to bend them to see how far it takes before they break. sometimes they're so bend-y, they'll go all the way around in a circle without breaking!
Nitroeddy
posted 24-Aug-2008 8:27am  

I believe rules should generally be followed. Of course not all rules are good, or even make sense, but unless it's a really serious situation I feel the rules need to be followed. If you don't like a set of rules you should either get away from the organization that set them or go about changing them in a proper manner.
cloudhugger Survey Central SubscriberSilver Star Survey CreatorSurvey QualifierThis user is on the site NOW (1 minute and 16 seconds ago)
posted 24-Aug-2008 11:34am  

Yes, rules ought to be followed, they prevent chaos. It isn't the rules I have an issue with, I prefer to follow rules, it gives me less to think about. Those rules keep everyone on the same page. My head is full enough as it is, and I don't have the room or energy to explain why I didn't stop at the stop sign. It is a simple rule, to follow it is very simple. What makes following simple rules difficult is the clutter in the head, the chaos in the thinking, the defiance in the temper.
So I mark the "usually". "Almost always" makes it sound obligatory, and that is where I start to put the brakes on. There are rules that are one sided. Religious, driving, employer generally keep everyone safe, but when the rules are specific for protecting one person or one group, than it becomes somewhat an unlevel playing field for the rest of the world. Rather than the rest of the world bending over backwards, and sometimes having the discomfort instead to make sure every person is not offended because they are not comfortable *takes breath* than the rule makes me want to give the finger to the sign that says "Don't".

It's nice to be free, to do as one pleases, and I love to be the exception to every rule. But what makes me follow rules is they make it fair. It's a level playing field, there are no tickets, office meetings to discus behaviour, no being banned for life. Those are the kind of things that cause me stress, not stopping at the stop sign. I don't want to have to think about if Joejoe got cheated, because the rule was made to get me further ahead. Any organization or group thing that pits members against members for competition may help the cats at the top, but they don't care about what rules are in place anyway. I like fair, I would be happy to slow down or give out part of my hsare but if it comes to losing my place than I have a problem. I might continue to follow the rules, but I'm doing it in anger and that doesn't usually work out for very long. Something has to give.
Gomezy3k
posted 24-Aug-2008 12:06pm  

Rules are made by those trying to restrict my freedom. I have my own rules to live by and if they match those of the rest of society then fine, if not, oh well...
Enheduanna Survey Central Subscriber
posted 24-Aug-2008 2:27pm  

Usually. I think many rules serve a good purpose. Especially if they are rules that I think help make things go smoothly and that I expect other people to follow, then I think I should follow them.
Cain
posted 24-Aug-2008 5:19pm  

Almost always. Rules are usually there for a reason.
JessicaWoman99
posted 25-Aug-2008 1:31am  

I do believe that rules should be generally followed and rules are rules no matter what!!
Pomeranian
posted 25-Aug-2008 3:48am  

rules rule.
they Survey Central SubscriberBronze Star Survey Creator
posted 25-Aug-2008 8:03am  

Almost always.
cloudhugger Survey Central SubscriberSilver Star Survey CreatorSurvey QualifierThis user is on the site NOW (1 minute and 16 seconds ago)
(reply to they) posted 25-Aug-2008 2:45pm  

What about now? What rules are in front of you right now?
Iseult Silver Star Survey Creator
posted 25-Aug-2008 4:13pm  

Usually. Unless I have a moral reason to follow a rule or I'm too scared to break it. I see rules as something that I can bend based on necessity.
they Survey Central SubscriberBronze Star Survey Creator
(reply to cloudhugger) posted 25-Aug-2008 4:19pm  

I'm eating..... so....

Chew with mouth shut, napkin in lap, wipe fingers before touching keyboard...

I'm eating something that's really bad for me... which is where the "almost" comes in...
cloudhugger Survey Central SubscriberSilver Star Survey CreatorSurvey QualifierThis user is on the site NOW (1 minute and 16 seconds ago)
(reply to they) posted 25-Aug-2008 6:14pm  

*yes* good job
they Survey Central SubscriberBronze Star Survey Creator
(reply to cloudhugger) posted 25-Aug-2008 8:23pm  

*grin*
judgescratch
posted 26-Aug-2008 9:41am  

Almost always.
The ones I can immediately think of that I break: internet usage at work, cell phone usage in the car, too much high fat high calorie foods in my diet, and gossip. Pretty vanilla, really.
gambler Double Gold Star Survey CreatorSurvey Qualifier
posted 26-Aug-2008 2:26pm  

Usually,,,,,,,,,,,, as there are normally very good reasons for them...
LindaH Survey Central Gold SubscriberGold Star Survey Creator
(reply to caviartaste) posted 26-Aug-2008 5:18pm  

Some go all the way around like this:

puff puff pass, puff puff pass...

Anyway, if a rule was written with people in mind that need it, but I'm not one of them, then I consider it 'not written for people like me' and I have absolutely no qualms about breaking it.
caviartaste
(reply to LindaH) posted 26-Aug-2008 10:59pm  

I couldn't have said it better myself! *grin*
kcthedog Survey Central Gold Subscriber
posted 27-Aug-2008 12:15am  

*check* Only when necessary
Matty Survey Central SubscriberGold Star Survey CreatorSurvey Qualifier
posted 27-Aug-2008 8:17am  

Well, this may surprise some of you, but I only follow the rules when I feel like it. I generally see rules as a means for others to make money from me or otherwise keep me in-line. Examples: I don't take drugs because I would lose my job. However, my brother is in radio sales in NYC; he smokes Pot, drops X, and snorts Coke with clients...and he loves it. I would if I could. I don't cheat on my wife because I love her, but before we got married; I did everyone and her sister, too. I guess the only thing that keeps me from going completely to the Dark Side is my faith, primarily; I can't profess to love the Lord, and then give into baser urges, including lawlessness.
HMC35
posted 4-Sep-2008 12:36am  

Usually.

I was raised in a strict Christian household. I don't resent it, I'm still very much involved in my faith, but I think it made me an avid follower of rules. Sometimes it's draining .. I've noticed how much I hate rules too, especially in my teen years. I still follow them.



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