Do you always obey the rules or use common sense sometimes?

Not following the rules?

Someone books an outing for a group of people who decide that actually they'd rather just go and have a coffee instead? You're not a rule breaker, you're rude, entitled and don't deserve Betty's efforts.

As for walking the wrong way through exits/entrances?! Fill your boots, just don't get in the way of others!

Most rules I would obey but not all. If I can’t see the point and it is just arbitrary I don’t. I certainly would obey things like road rules, always. They don’t have ‘keep off the grass’ signs here but if they did I wouldn’t!

BTW I did comply with the Covid rules and I also despair that whatever topic we are discussing someone seems to have to bring in asylum seekers, really?

Yes, I’ve often broken rules, especially those I consider daft! It hasn’t always served me well but I was brought up to be curious, questioning and a free thinker, not appreciated at school nor at many jobs! 🤷🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️

Definitely agree with that.

The stupidest ( I know that’s not a word) rule I know is one from Barclays Bank.
For over ten years ( since I bought my house). I have periodically received letters for the previous owner who left no forwarding address. I marked the first few ‘Return to sender, Not at this address’
When they kept coming I opened one to check it was nothing important, it wasn’t, so I rang Barclays and explained I was the new owner and had been returning letters for years,even writing in the envelope that I was the new owner/occupiet.
I was told that the Barclays Legal Dept require them to use the last known address.

And they have continued to do so to date despite me telling them I will no longer return mail to them. It goes in the recycling so at least not wasted. .

Louella Yes and No. The child obeyed the rules - waited for the green man and crossed. It was the rule that was at fault, for not including the proviso that you should then check that any approachng.traffic had stopped.

A classic example that blind obedience to the rules is not a good thing. (although, at the age of 7, this child was too young to know this)

I've not read the whole thread and not sure if this is actually a rule. But here goes!

Red man/green man when crossing the road. Its so important to teach children they need to look at the traffic as well as what color the little man is.

A 7 year old boy was severely injured recently. He was waiting with his mother, man went green and he just bolted on to the road. Sadly a car was approaching and didn't stop.

So the wait for the green man rule needs to be wait for the green man and check there's no cars coming

The rules in place during lockdown I complied with but silly little rules like single file when there are other means of exit no. I have never in most circumstances been a sheep and I never will I follow my instincts as a shepherd.

I obeyed the rules during covid since I rarely go out anyway.

What did make me angry (and still does) was seeing a bunch of so-called asylum seekers protesting about halal food and wifi at the height of the lockdown. Considering how the police were harassing some people for sitting on a bench or following them with drones this was a disgrace. Yes there were police around but only to protect these whingers from the justifiable anger of people who were born in this country (as opposed to having entered it illegally).

I amone who has always questioned the rules when I can see no point of them - and given a reasonable explanation will obey them, but far too many rules are introduced entirely for the administrative convenience of those making them

I usually obey rules I couldn't be bothered with the fuss it caused at school when I broke them.
BUT I live with a constant rule breaker, no rule applies to them.
They make bells ring in museums etc when a rope says no entrance. Have walked along the top of the Pont du Guard with DD when the others quaked at the bottom with me in case they fell or got arrested.
Stood on ice on a pond which said" Dangerous "and ended up to their thighs in icy water. Fallen asleep in an Art gallery in Edinburgh and broke the silence rule by snoring loudly.Often parks where they shouldn't.Climbs battlements when large notices say no climbing.Ignored a Police notice to go slow and got their tape measure wound around their car wheels smiled and said they were rushing to see their mother
Yet always gets away with it.

My reaction to any law, rule or notice is to ask Why? If I can’t see any sensible reason for it then I shall ignore it.
During Covid I never missed two dog walks daily but walked well away from anyone else. Many of the Covid rules were stupid and changed constantly so I ignored them, have never caught Covid nor given it to anyone else.
My Bolshie attitude goes back to a traditional girls’ grammar school with a rule for every action. There were, it seemed, rules to sports too. I explained that this was unnecessary as I didn’t care which side won!

Siope

kircubbin2000 I can't quite see what the State's role is in either of your examples?

I was about to say the same thing. Neither example has anything to do with "the nanny state". One event was at a private venue and was, by the sounds of it, a sensible arrangement. The other example was not wishing to upset Betty who, I assume, has nothing to do with the Government.

If I understand them, they are logical and make sense, then yes

Siope

kircubbin2000 I can't quite see what the State's role is in either of your examples?

... was just about to say the same.

And we do not live in in a 'nanny state'. We are not being nannied - risk assessments are made by organisations, businesses, schools, etc, to protect them from litigation.

Obviously, there are logical and sensible rules in place in any sane society, but whether this amounts to a nanny state really is debatable.

Rules are made for the guidance of the wise and the obedience of fools' has always been my maxim Totally agree, plus 'Once you know the rules, you know when it is safe to break them'

Want an example? We travelled home from France yesterday by ferry. The cold had made some health problems DH had worse and I wanted the car to be parked close to the lift.

Brittany Ferry are strict that if you have someone who needs to be parked close to the lift it must be booked in advance. When we got to the ticket booth I gave the lovely smiley lady in the booth a big smile and asked if she could help. I needed to be parked by the lifts but hadn't booked it because on the outward journey we didn't need it, was there anyway they could bend the rules and put us near the lift. The lady was doubtful but still smiley and said she would consult. She then went to talk to someone for about 5-10 minutes and then came back and said, they would break the rules this time,the ferry was not very full and it would not cause problems, but if something arose like this again, I should ring the ferry company on the day of travel and book it.

With that the sticker went on the car, we parked close to the lift
and I was able to get DH up to our cabin and own again this morning.without any problem.

The Brittany Ferry's staff knew the rules and knew when to break them.

I have to put my hand up and say there is one 'rule' I do sometimes ignore. Waiting at a road crossing when there is no vehicle in sight but the lights taking an age to change to red. I move quickly across.

Joseann

I'm coming back as a penguin. I don't think Antarctica has any laws or rules!

They all follow one another blindly tho!

BlueBelle

Well blow Betty !
I would never go against the law and order but yes I d use my loaf and it may not be in ‘follow the leader mode’

That made me laugh 😂
Same here, I use my loaf too in those situations where it’s needed.

My friend and I went to an exhibition at the British Museum when we were only just coming out of lockdown. There was a strict one way system with guards on the doors. When we got to the end we found we were as far away from the entrance as possible, but there was an exit which would give us a much shorter way out. We'd both had enough walking by then so we put on our best Old Lady voices and told the guard that we were sure he wouldn't mind if we nipped out and took the short route. How could he resist?

kircubbin2000 I can't quite see what the State's role is in either of your examples?

Pantglas2

“This is exactly what I did when I worked busy football saturdays in Liverpool when both teams were playing at home.”

Not sure that ever happens BigLouis…

Rare, but if both were drawn at home in FA Cup...
(Mind you these days one would probably play on a Saturday, other on a Sunday)

I'm coming back as a penguin. I don't think Antarctica has any laws or rules!

Callistemon21

Galaxy

I have German background too Rosie, fight against it

My background is French.

I'd just protest!! 😁

same here Callistemon...