Lunch talk turned today to the Pirates exhibit at the Science Center and what a co-worker thought of it.
He said, “I had to remind my nephew that: pirates? Not really good people.”
But we love pirates, don’t we? We love them because they are rule-breakers, rogues, they do what we wish we could.That’s what I’ve always understood.
But lately, I’ve started to realize just how many people I know are rogues and rule-breakers.
A person who defiantly sneaks past security, because she’s too important to be bothered with it.
An employee who parks in visitor’s parking, because he’s special.
Someone who doctors her son’s report card to get the good student insurance discount, because she’s never gotten a break.
It’s not like I’m keeping a tally of who does wrong, it’s more like I watch someone with a swagger, someone with a little confidence boost, someone with a spring in their step, I say, “So what’s up?” and they always wind up telling me how they pulled one over on the Man. Because, as they say, “I am too good for this shit” or “They’ll make an exception for me.”
Because they are special. And I’ve been thinking, exactly what makes you special? Because you think you are? Like … everyone? Everyone who says, “It’s better to ask forgiveness than permission” and “Rules are made to be broken?”
One of the Numbered once said that I had “been a rule-follower” when she met me, but that I’d grown out of that. I don’t think I have. At least, I hope any rules I break are out of laziness, cowardice, even stupidity, just as long as I’m not breaking rules out of arrogance.
Perhaps this is a fork in my personal path. Maybe if I make a different choice I’ll be one of those housewives who take up shoplifting because they like the feeling of superiority it gives them. Or, maybe I’m just frustrated by the latest rule I have to follow: the one that says I must pass the Huge Financial Test of Futilitude for my job.
7 responses to “Pissy Pouty Pirate Post”
It took me years to realize that many people think pulling a fast one is really cool.
Thank you. You said so well what I think.
You are not alone. I’m also a rule follower. I just think it is right. I’m not (terribly) scared of being caught. I don’t think being a rule follower is something you outgrow. I think that — thoughtfully, consciously, by choice — following rules is a mature action. Breaking rules just because one can is childish.
I will admit to driving too fast on occasion. But things I see others do make me wince — grabbing a drink in the grocery store and drinking it, saying “I’m going to pay for it.” Or snitching a grape in produce. People who don’t signal and give stop signs a kiss and a promise as they glide through. It’s that unspoken (or occasionally spoken) idea that one person is allowed to take advantage of other people, allowed to cheat them, endanger them, steal from them, cause them problems — either because the special person is “taking revenge”, or feels they deserve more, or that they are just More Special.
The Man is other people — and, yes, sometimes The Man is other people who feel the are also Special. Somehow, doing more things that are wrong makes the world more right? Only in fiction.
Hattie – It almost makes me want to try it. But no.~~Silk – Damn kids.Sherri – Wait! If I’m really thristy I take a drink in the grocery and then I really do pay for it. And our grocery used to put out samples of the grapes. But both my sins are gluttony, not arrogance.
I’m a grape snatcher. But I usually buy the bag I snatch from.
Queen, thanks for echoing my distaste for special snowflakes. That attitude is one of the reasons I Hate People.
Becs – I’m a Reformed Grape Snatcher. I try to evaluate them by size and paleness. Crystal – Hah! I Hate Snowflakes, anyway.