Rules Are Meant To Be Broken

Rules are meant to be broken. I guess, a more politically correct word would be circumvented. This is more so if we are from India. And before patriotic souls take my comment to heart and cry foul, I would say at least read me out before you bring that frown on your face.

We do follow rules, but those set by us. So each individual decides what is right for him or her and behaves accordingly. If that is what we call following rules, then we do follow them to the T.

I am driving on a four lane highway and my lane is moving slower than the one to my left. So what will I do? I will just veer left. I don’t have eyes behind my head, so it’s for the guy behind me to be careful. Cutting lanes is against the law, but my personal law book doesn’t say so. So there i go.

I am walking on the road and suddenly I feel the urge to urinate. What do I do? Find the nearest wall, aim and shoot. So what if I am wrong, it’s nature and nature cannot be controlled. But if someone else is peeing on my wall, then the laws of nature change. And I reserve the right to decide what’s right and what’s wrong.

I will cross the road when the traffic light is green. It’s the duty of the drivers to wait until your lordship crosses the road. And if someone honks or abuses me I will let loose a volley of expletives. And why shouldn’t I do so when my fundamental right to cross the road has been questioned? Damn the traffic rules, did the lawmakers consult me before framing them?

I will use public transport but will not pay for it. And why should I? I have helped elect the government, and hence, government property (read public property) is mine. And if caught, I will either feign ignorance of the need to have a ticket, or thrash the ticket checker for having questioned my very right to use public transport.

I will stick bills on walls, write slogans, spit betel leaf, and indulge in many such creative pursuits. It’s my country and I will do as I deem fit. No questions asked.

And when I am asked as to what happens to responsibility that comes with ownership, I will say it should be a collective feeling. And collectively we choose to act independent. Hence, many a time I am left wondering if Democracy is the best thing for juvenile delinquents like us.

For, if being independent means behaving thoughtlessly and selfishly, then we won’t last for long as one nation. It’s just a matter of time before someone else colonizes us and then we will follow rules, because we understand only one language, the language of fear.