For instance, if I pull my car up to a place where there is a sign that says, "No parking." Why do I think that think that this sign is not meant for me, but rather that it is for other people? And if your teacher tells you that your research paper must have a cover page and I don't have one on my paper, why do I think I should not be penalized when I have obviously not followed the rules?
2006-09-27 14:00:18 · 6 answers · asked by dej 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
Because we humans Looooove boundaries!
We don't really believe a stated boundary is there unless we try to go beyond it, get caught, and get punished for it!
Then we know that the universe is a stable place govenred by rules, and so we can plan our lives and be happy.
Of course the universe is not a stable place and all plans are doomed to failure for so long as we rely on them as if, once made, they are written in stone and cannot adapt to changing conditions.
So, whenever we become less confident about boundaries and rules, we find one to violate where we are sure to get caught, and in the punishment we get reassured, re-paint our delusions of stability and launch ourselves back into life!
You have made the first step to freedom questioner!
Now make sure that you do not take my answer for "The Answer". (That would just be a new submitting.)
Go out and find your own answer that fits you and your slice of the Infinite Worlde far better than this one does.
2006-09-27 14:07:12 · answer #1 · answered by raxivar 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think that a lot of people believe that they aren't in danger of causing whatever harm comes for breaking the rules. They read the rule and assume there's a reason behind it, then rationalize that the reason isn't valid for them. For example, if a sign says, "Do not use this stairway", and the person can see that the stairway is damaged, he/she thinks, "I'll be careful, so it's okay for me to use this stairway."
Likewise, when people see a "no parking" sign, they might think, "I'm only going to be here for a few minutes. I won't be holding up the traffic, really, because it's the middle of the day and there aren't many cars through here. So the rule doesn't apply to me." And then they park.
2006-09-27 22:07:15 · answer #2 · answered by drshorty 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, people are basically taught what they can and cannot get by with, by others. Think about it. Most criminals learn that the average target wont bother to fight or take aggressive or resistant actions toward them. Most noisey idiots on a bus know that the average passengers will say nothing and ignore them. Those who claim special or minority status never have to face a challenge to it or the way they act. Women get to pull stuff cause they have a vagina and men are worried that if they say something, they wont get sex. Whites dont fight blacks being racists because they are worried about a fight or a law suit.
People learn that for the most part, they can get by with almost anything, at least occassionally. They learn that by what those around them voice as opinions, the actions they take, etc.
2006-09-27 21:10:02 · answer #3 · answered by Mr. JW 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some people will always try and take the easy route. They think their going to get over on someone. Sometimes they might but most of the time they don't. Those people have no respect for themselves or drive to do anything but get by. It's a sad way to live.
2006-09-27 21:24:55 · answer #4 · answered by purrfectsandcastle 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Self-preservation makes us think like that. We live in a hyper competitive society and we need all the advantages we could get. So we turn on the mind frame that we are special - selfish - to keep ourself strong to cope with the day to day activities. Other words, not only selfish, but arrogant. We have to be that way to survive.
2006-09-27 21:32:23 · answer #5 · answered by mac 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Because people are inherently stupid and selfish.
2006-09-27 21:07:44 · answer #6 · answered by brainy_ostrich 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋