free-k 2

That last post reminded me of something from high school... You ever notice how some people will cut in line? I noticed...especially if they see someone they know ahead of them, that's a free pass to cut to the front. It really pissed me off, so I decided I wouldn't let people cut.

One day I'm in line, and I'm facing forward and I hear this guy, he sounds like he's a New York-er from an old black-and-white movie, he says, "excuse me, coming through" and I hear him getting closer to me... "watch out" he says, he's right behind me now. Now, I wasn't a very bold guy socially, so I mentally took a deep breath, said "NO" and tensed up. He goes, "oh, a wise-guy, eh?" and my friend who's right behind me in line says my name in a voice, a pleading voice that dies down towards the end...I turn to get my first glimpse of the perpetrator: he's escorting his handicapped sister through the lunch line. So much for me being a hero; it could not have ended worse................

The real offenders of societal rules are always so slick and opportunistic, you're unlikely to catch them..why is the world like this, why is there no inherent order? Where is the line between manners and actually bothering someone? I can see now where all the rules and conflicts over these rules may have emerged over the years.