# "Get outa my way" or Why I am more important than you: **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [July 11, 2010, 5:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/get-outa-my-way-or-why-i-am-more-important-than-you/546280 "2010-07-11T05:26:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 9
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2010, 6:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/get-outa-my-way-or-why-i-am-more-important-than-you/546280/161 "2010-07-17T06:25:58Z")
> [@Roderick\_Femm](#): > > Read Chimera’s post to which mine was a response. > > The whole point of “your right to swing your fist stops where my nose begins” is that my nose is the point where my rights (not to be punched in the nose) supersede your right to swing your fist. His analogy is that anyone’s right to dawdle is superseded by someone else’s “right” to - well, I don’t know what exactly, right not to be inconvenienced? Right to get somewhere in a hurry? Hence my remarks about how no-one has such a right. > > Social contract? To what, not get in your way? Yes, life would be a lot better if everyone were more considerate and no-one acted like a jerk. That applies to the hurried impatient as well as to the clueless and stupid. I wish there were fewer of both types. > Roddy I get what you’re saying about the right to not be inconvenienced not existing, but the social contract does indeed exist, even if some people intentionally or unintentionally break it for their own convenience or out of cluelessness. We’re all living in the same place with other people, and sharing resources - part of the social contract is that I’ll take my share and no more than that (which includes how long it takes me to use a shared resource), and so will you. Some people have funny ideas about how big their share is, though. ---
**Author:** ![Martini\_Enfield](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/martini_enfield/32/11123_2.png) [@Martini\_Enfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martini_Enfield)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2010, 6:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/get-outa-my-way-or-why-i-am-more-important-than-you/546280/162 "2010-07-17T06:29:15Z")
> [@Roderick\_Femm](#): > > Read Chimera’s post to which mine was a response. > > The whole point of “your right to swing your fist stops where my nose begins” is that my nose is the point where my rights (not to be punched in the nose) supersede your right to swing your fist. His analogy is that anyone’s right to dawdle is superseded by someone else’s “right” to - well, I don’t know what exactly, right not to be inconvenienced? Right to get somewhere in a hurry? Hence my remarks about how no-one has such a right. The whole thing about “Rights” is disingenuous, though. As soon as you start throwing talk about “Rights” around, it’s only a matter of time before _Der Fuhrer_ and The US Constitution get dragged into the discussion, and then we get a trainwreck of the likes not seen since the final reel of _The Bridge On The River Kwai_. The whole argument isn’t about “Rights”. It’s about acting with a modicum of courtesy and decorum; ie not pottering along daydreaming and obstructing others in situations where “others” (comprising pretty much nearly everyone else) are trying to get something done in the shortest possible time with the least possible hassle. That doesn’t mean, for example, that you shouldn’t be allowed to try and pay for your lunch in a mixture of small change, foreign coins, and EFTPOS. But it does mean you shouldn’t be trying to do it during the traditional lunching period when the restaurant is full of workers on their breaks who just want to get their sandwich/burger/whatever and enjoy their meal without having to wolf it down as they run back to work. It also doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t be allowed to do _all_ your personal banking at ATMs (lots of people do). But if you’re trying to get the ATM to play _Global Thermonuclear War_ when there are people queuing up behind you, then perhaps you should consider either A) Finding an ATM in a quieter location or B) Coming back later when it’s not so busy- or using phone or internet banking if they’re available. Or, to put it another way: Purposefully dawdling along as part of some campaign to encourage the world to “Slow Down” and “Enjoy The Roses” is the real-life equivalent of being an internet troll. As has been said, you might wish the world wasn’t in such a hurry. Sadly, it is. Get used to it or move to a cabin in the middle of the woods- but don’t get angry at everyone else because they need to be somewhere shortly and you don’t. ---
**Author:** ![MeanOldLady](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanoldlady/32/10737_2.png) [@MeanOldLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanOldLady)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2010, 6:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/get-outa-my-way-or-why-i-am-more-important-than-you/546280/163 "2010-07-17T06:33:16Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > I get what you’re saying about the right to not be inconvenienced not existing, but the social contract does indeed exist, even if some people intentionally or unintentionally break it for their own convenience or out of cluelessness. We’re all living in the same place with other people, and sharing resources - part of the social contract is that I’ll take my share and no more than that (which includes how long it takes me to use a shared resource), and so will you. Some people have funny ideas about how big their share is, though. Some people say balls to the social contract. These people are also known as, and pardon the psycho-jargon, “fucking cocks.” > [@Martini\_Enfield](#): > > The whole thing about “Rights” is disingenuous, though. As soon as you start throwing talk about “Rights” around, it’s only a matter of time before _Der Fuhrer_ and The US Constitution get dragged into the discussion, and then we get a trainwreck of the likes not seen since the final reel of _The Bridge On The River Kwai_. > > The whole argument isn’t about “Rights”. It’s about acting with a modicum of courtesy and decorum; ie not pottering along daydreaming and obstructing others in situations where “others” (comprising pretty much nearly everyone else) are trying to get something done in the shortest possible time with the least possible hassle. You’d think this would be clear by now. ---
**Author:** ![Declan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecae2f/32.png) [@Declan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Declan)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2010, 7:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/get-outa-my-way-or-why-i-am-more-important-than-you/546280/164 "2010-07-17T07:44:03Z")
> [@RTFirefly](#): > > He and his crew have been the ones to decide that **they’re** important enough to clog things up for a whole bunch of strangers in the MickeyD’s for all that additional time, just to avoid having to do some simple arithmetic back at the office. Thats partially the stores fault as well, back when I was workin for McD’s if your just limiting it to that franchise, orders like those were shunted to a manager who would open a new till, and print off from the new register. Bus drivers were given free meals if they called ahead and signage was posted regarding large office orders for pre order. As bad as some people are at creating choke points, I’d be looking at the overall system that rewards folks who dawdle or create friction by innaction. Declan ---
**Author:** ![Declan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecae2f/32.png) [@Declan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Declan)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2010, 7:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/get-outa-my-way-or-why-i-am-more-important-than-you/546280/165 "2010-07-17T07:50:48Z")
> [@Chimera](#): > > In one drug store which had an assisted living place right across the parking lot, I stood behind an old guy who did this for nearly 10 minutes. There were EIGHT people lined up behind him before I, tired of clearing my throat and other small gestures not doing jack, finally spoke up and said “EXCUSE ME, CAN WE WRAP THIS UP???” Old guy was embarassed and ended the process. Once he was out the door, she turned to me and started to rip me a new one about how this was the highlight of his day and I shouldn’t be angry with him. This should have been escalated sooner, like after two minutes. I realize that you had mentioned clearing your throad and what not, but either he may have been hard of hearing , or just used to people clearing throats. Declan ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2010, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/get-outa-my-way-or-why-i-am-more-important-than-you/546280/166 "2010-07-17T13:22:28Z")
What about the social contract not to act like a total asshole that thinks he owns the road/sidewalk/queue and everyone else must defer to his poor time management skills? Those clods have abandoned the social contract as surely as the dawdlers. ---
**Author:** ![MeanOldLady](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanoldlady/32/10737_2.png) [@MeanOldLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanOldLady)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2010, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/get-outa-my-way-or-why-i-am-more-important-than-you/546280/167 "2010-07-17T13:32:09Z")
What about it? No one is saying it’s okay to mow people down for blocking the grocery store aisle. Thinking someone is a rude and stupid fuck is different from engaging in rude behavior. Dawdlers are engaging in idiotic, impolite behavior; people who find it rude and idiotic are not. Unless, I dunno, they push the dawdlers to the ground or something, which I don’t think anyone here does, or is advocating. I’m pretty sure most of us would say “Excuse me” to someone blocking the grocery aisle, and think to ourselves, “My, what a fucking cock.” ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2010, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/get-outa-my-way-or-why-i-am-more-important-than-you/546280/168 "2010-07-17T13:49:14Z")
I reserve the right to slow down to look for an address; if that violates your social contract, then so be it. It only exists in your head anyway. It certainly won’t ruin my day to know someone, somewhere disapproves of my actions. I can drive slower, you know; just honk your horn to find out. ---
**Author:** ![MeanOldLady](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanoldlady/32/10737_2.png) [@MeanOldLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanOldLady)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2010, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/get-outa-my-way-or-why-i-am-more-important-than-you/546280/169 "2010-07-17T13:55:35Z")
You reserve the right to be a fucking cock, yes. We all do, but us non-cocks don’t exercise every right that we have. I also reserve the right to call your mother a whore, but that would just be plain rude. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2010, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/get-outa-my-way-or-why-i-am-more-important-than-you/546280/170 "2010-07-17T13:56:47Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > I reserve the right to slow down to look for an address; if that violates your social contract, then so be it. It only exists in your head anyway. It certainly won’t ruin my day to know someone, somewhere disapproves of my actions. > > I can drive slower, you know; just honk your horn to find out. Impeding traffic does not only violate the social contract. It’s against the law. ---
**Author:** ![MeanOldLady](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanoldlady/32/10737_2.png) [@MeanOldLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanOldLady)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2010, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/get-outa-my-way-or-why-i-am-more-important-than-you/546280/171 "2010-07-17T13:59:00Z")
But _he_ can’t find what he’s looking for. \*Won’t someone think of the one person who is confused instead of everyone else? \*And this “law” technicality? ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2010, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/get-outa-my-way-or-why-i-am-more-important-than-you/546280/172 "2010-07-17T14:00:28Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > Impeding traffic does not only violate the social contract. It’s against the law. Not if I am moving. There is no law against driving 10 miles an hour in the right lane in a 35mph zone. You have a turn signal; use it. ---
**Author:** ![MeanOldLady](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanoldlady/32/10737_2.png) [@MeanOldLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanOldLady)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2010, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/get-outa-my-way-or-why-i-am-more-important-than-you/546280/173 "2010-07-17T14:02:30Z")
Wrong again. Many states have laws against driving so slowly that it impedes the normal flow of traffic. So that makes you a fucking cock and a scofflaw. Very good! ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2010, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/get-outa-my-way-or-why-i-am-more-important-than-you/546280/174 "2010-07-17T14:05:04Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > Not if I am moving. There is no law against driving 10 miles an hour in the right lane in a 35mph zone. You have a turn signal; use it. If you’re impeding traffic, there are most certainly laws against it. Try that little experiment with a police officer behind you sometime. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2010, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/get-outa-my-way-or-why-i-am-more-important-than-you/546280/175 "2010-07-17T14:05:52Z")
So everyone that stops traffic behind them to turn left is breaking the law? Admit it; you are just making this up as you go along, aren’t you. ---
**Author:** ![MeanOldLady](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanoldlady/32/10737_2.png) [@MeanOldLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanOldLady)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2010, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/get-outa-my-way-or-why-i-am-more-important-than-you/546280/176 "2010-07-17T14:07:03Z")
Try Googling, bitch. ---
**Author:** ![MeanOldLady](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanoldlady/32/10737_2.png) [@MeanOldLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanOldLady)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2010, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/get-outa-my-way-or-why-i-am-more-important-than-you/546280/177 "2010-07-17T14:11:18Z")
Okay, I just spent twenty seconds searching and found [AZ](http://www.lawforkids.org/speakup/view_question.cfm?id=82&topic=) and [CA](http://www.dmv.ca.gov/dl/vioptct.htm) have laws against driving too slow. That’s all I bothered to click on; I’m sure you can do the rest of your homework yourself, and find that we are not, in fact, making this up as we go along. Wanna try another angle to justify your douchebaggery? ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2010, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/get-outa-my-way-or-why-i-am-more-important-than-you/546280/178 "2010-07-17T14:12:49Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > So everyone that stops traffic behind them to turn left is breaking the law? Admit it; you are just making this up as you go along, aren’t you. Oh, now you’re in the left lane making a legal turn. Move the goal posts much? ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2010, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/get-outa-my-way-or-why-i-am-more-important-than-you/546280/179 "2010-07-17T14:13:28Z")
> [@MeanOldLady](#): > > Okay, I just spent twenty seconds searching for found [AZ](http://www.lawforkids.org/speakup/view_question.cfm?id=82&topic=) and [CA](http://www.dmv.ca.gov/dl/vioptct.htm) have laws against driving too slow. That’s all I bothered to click on; I’m sure you can do the rest of your homework yourself, and find that we are not, in fact, making this up as we go along. Wanna try another angle to justify your douchebaggery? No, the knowledge that it pisses off crotchmaggots like you is satisfaction enough. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2010, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/get-outa-my-way-or-why-i-am-more-important-than-you/546280/180 "2010-07-17T14:14:47Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > Oh, now you’re in the left lane making a legal turn. Move the goal posts much? You are the one that said it was always illegal to impede traffic. I proved you wrong. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/get-outa-my-way-or-why-i-am-more-important-than-you/546280.md?page=8) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/get-outa-my-way-or-why-i-am-more-important-than-you/546280.md?page=10)