# In what circumstances will you knowingly inconvenience others for your own reasons? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 26, 2026, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-what-circumstances-will-you-knowingly-inconvenience-others-for-your-own-reasons/1028001 "2026-02-26T14:48:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2026, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-what-circumstances-will-you-knowingly-inconvenience-others-for-your-own-reasons/1028001/41 "2026-02-28T14:51:38Z")
> [@RivkahChaya](#): > > Some school systems will no longer dismiss a child on their own until high school. My son’s didn’t. Wow! That seems sorta extreme. Would you mind generally stating where this is? Region? City/rural? My kids schools had that practice for after school activities, but not end of school day. And I see some kids walking/biking home from the neighborhood Jr High at the end of the day and later. My favorite story is when my daughter - in 3d grade, attended Brownies at her grade school. They would not allow her to walk home alone, so we told them we would send her brother to walk her home. They were fine with that. Of course, it was her YOUNGER brother, who was in 1st grade! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![doreen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/858c86/32.png) [@doreen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doreen)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2026, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-what-circumstances-will-you-knowingly-inconvenience-others-for-your-own-reasons/1028001/42 "2026-02-28T15:47:14Z")
> [@RivkahChaya](#): > > Some school systems will no longer dismiss a child on their own until high school. I’m not suggesting that the kids walk on their own - although plenty do.The people I’m talking about could walk or bike their children to/from school, or park a couple of blocks away. There is no need for them to block driveways or double park and block other cars from leaving. In the little bit of experience I’ve had with schools in other places, when some children live far enough from the school that they can’t walk (not even with an adult) the school has some sort of arrangement that prevents people from blocking driveways and double parking. Either buses or a pick-up line like you describe. I don’t think that you were inconveniencing anyone. If anything, I would consider you and hte woman across the street to be the walk/bike line, even if there wasn’t a sign. Very different from the people who keep my car blocked in for as long as 20 minutes. If they were stopping for 30 seconds to let a kid out to walk the rest of the way, it wouldn’t inconvenience me at all. ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2026, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-what-circumstances-will-you-knowingly-inconvenience-others-for-your-own-reasons/1028001/43 "2026-02-28T18:01:16Z")
When I’m out driving my Corvette and I happen to go into a store (quite rare) I will park on the far, far end of the lot and angle park across 3 spots. I don’t want anyone parking next to my beautiful car. And none of you lard butts are parking that far away from the entrance anyway. The lot is mostly empty at that location. Plus it looks cool. But I suppose I am inconveniencing someone who actually wanted to park in one of the 2 extra slots I’m taking up. So, yes, I’m knowingly doing it. ---
**Author:** ![Mighty\_Mouse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mighty_mouse/32/7776_2.png) [@Mighty\_Mouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mighty_Mouse)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2026, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-what-circumstances-will-you-knowingly-inconvenience-others-for-your-own-reasons/1028001/44 "2026-02-28T19:03:48Z")
In the last few years, ALL the kids in our neighborhood (~200 single family homes) wait for the school bus in a long line of cars. When my daughter was attending these same Elementary and Middle schools, almost everyone waited standing at the bus stops. Same thing in the afternoon. There are 10-15 cars waiting at the bus stop. There is no house more that 300 yards from an elementary school bus stop, and none more than 500 yards from a middle school one. And the neighborhood streets are not busy at all, no reason for any cut through traffic. The roads are narrow enough that the line of cars makes it really hazardous to drive, because it’s effectively reduce to one lane for 100 yards or so, right by the corners where the school bus stops are, reducing visibility around corners as well. And after the school bus has been by, you have all these cars making u-turns on that narrow street. When my daughter attended these schools (2012-2020) almost all the kids waited standing at the bus stop. The littlest kids with their parents. If you waited in a car with your parent, you’d be considered a spoiled baby by the other kids. Maybe on the most bitterly cold days of when it was pouring rain there would be cars, but now it’s every day, all year long. Not sure what has changed in so short a time. ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2026, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-what-circumstances-will-you-knowingly-inconvenience-others-for-your-own-reasons/1028001/45 "2026-02-28T19:23:08Z")
Years ago, on an interstate trip, I stopped at a McDonald’s. There were a number of luxury cars there, part of some distant show I guess. There had been several on the road. I was looking at a McLaren parked in the center of 2 spaces. I said to the other guy admiring it, “This is a really great car. Apparently, the only thing wrong with them is that they are impossible to park.” Of course the other guy was the owner. ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2026, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-what-circumstances-will-you-knowingly-inconvenience-others-for-your-own-reasons/1028001/46 "2026-02-28T19:47:56Z")
> [@pkbites](#): > > I will park on the far, far end of the lot and angle park across 3 spots. I LOVE looking at beautiful cars. But never would want to drive one myself, just for fear of the sort of incidental damage you suggest. My preference has always been to drive a solid 10-footer, which I would drive and park wherever and whenever I wanted. ---
**Author:** ![TokyoBayer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tokyobayer/32/13989_2.png) [@TokyoBayer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TokyoBayer)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2026, 4:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-what-circumstances-will-you-knowingly-inconvenience-others-for-your-own-reasons/1028001/47 "2026-03-01T04:41:17Z")
Most Japanese tend to work really hard to make sure they don’t inconvenience others, especially in the acquaintance / casual friends level, which really forced me to rethink my actions. Some things I have changed and others I avoid doing that when I’m with my kids in order to not embarrass them. Japanese tend to talk in quiet voices in public and my kids are constantly on my case to lower my voice. I don’t scream, but my kids remind me to not talk loudly in the entrance hall of our apartment, for example. ---
**Author:** ![ZonexandScout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zonexandscout/32/544_2.png) [@ZonexandScout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZonexandScout)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2026, 1:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-what-circumstances-will-you-knowingly-inconvenience-others-for-your-own-reasons/1028001/48 "2026-03-01T13:25:38Z")
My mother would constantly remind us to be kind, considerate, and gracious. It was almost a mantra. With regard to actions that might in some way inconvenience others, she would chide us by saying, “What if everybody did that?” That has really stuck with me. Parking in the fire lane to run into the store for a quick purchase? Taking two of a free sample when the limit is just one? Taking up two seats when you can put your stuff under your seat? Putting items back on the shelf incorrectly? Taking up two or three spaces when you park? Blocking traffic temporarily so you can BASE jump off a bridge? One can rationalize these by saying, “Oh, there’s plenty still available!” or “What difference will it make?” but what if EVERYBODY did it? If EVERYBODY doing it is a problem, then YOU shouldn’t do it. So, my answer is that I don’t inconvenience others unless it’s the only option. And I certainly don’t knowingly inconvenience others if it is solely for my own convenience. I’m sure I still end up inconveniencing people, but it is almost certainly accidental. ---
**Author:** ![RivkahChaya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rivkahchaya/32/8919_2.png) [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2026, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-what-circumstances-will-you-knowingly-inconvenience-others-for-your-own-reasons/1028001/49 "2026-03-01T13:46:50Z")
> [@pkbites](#): > > I will park on the far, far end of the lot and angle park across 3 spots. If you are ever in Indianapolis, DO NOT do this. You are asking for your car to get keyed. Doesn’t matter how many spots are still free. Everyone imagines themselves as some kind of secret enforcer here. ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2026, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-what-circumstances-will-you-knowingly-inconvenience-others-for-your-own-reasons/1028001/50 "2026-03-01T14:34:14Z")
> [@RivkahChaya](#): > > If you are ever in Indianapolis, DO NOT do this. You are asking for your car to get keyed. Doesn’t matter how many spots are still free. Everyone imagines themselves as some kind of secret enforcer here I’m in Milwaukee and that has never happened. But if it did that’s one reason stores have cameras. And if it did, who would be the real bad guy? Me who took up 2 extra slots far away from where anyone was parking, or the one that intentionally caused criminal damage to property? ---
**Author:** ![RivkahChaya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rivkahchaya/32/8919_2.png) [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2026, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-what-circumstances-will-you-knowingly-inconvenience-others-for-your-own-reasons/1028001/51 "2026-03-01T15:34:46Z")
I never said it was right. I just said don’t park like that in Indianapolis. People here are jerks. It’s the red-light-running capital of the nation, I think. Driving in LA is like Sunday afternoon in Mayberry after Indianapolis, everyone thinks they’re Michael Andretti. I can be going 5mph over the speed limit, and people tailgate me and honk, because they want me to go faster. They pass on the inside, and on hills, and coming out of lights, so they can go 55 where it’s 30. They also honk at me when I refuse to turn right on red under a sign that says “NO RIGHT ON RED”; sometimes they pull around me while I’m stopped, to go right on the red. Don’t get me started on how they treat bicyclists. ---
**Author:** ![HMS\_Irruncible](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hms_irruncible/32/7394_2.png) [@HMS\_Irruncible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HMS_Irruncible)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2026, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-what-circumstances-will-you-knowingly-inconvenience-others-for-your-own-reasons/1028001/52 "2026-03-01T15:45:06Z")
Very often at work someone will ask me a question, but I know from context and experience that the question they’ve asked isn’t the information they’re looking for. I also know from experience that if I try to suggest alternatives, they will all be shot down because they’re looking for a certain answer phrased in certain terms to serve a certain goal. I find it extremely annoying that: 1. The person expects me to do all the work of creating a shared understanding, or 2. The person believes that I can’t understand or appreciate their broader issue, or 3. The person wants to conceal their intent from the person they’re asking for help. So I just sort of play dumb and answer questions in the most literal, direct way I know how, until they either share enough information that I can actually help them, or they figure it out themselves. I am not going to waste my mental effort coming up with 5 different interpretations while they say “no, that’s not it”. If you want to treat me as a human, and a colleague, I can help you. If you want to treat me like Google, then bring your best _fu_, because this is your question, and I’m not going to invest more effort than you’re investing. ---
**Author:** ![Justin\_Bailey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justin_bailey/32/8792_2.png) [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2026, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-what-circumstances-will-you-knowingly-inconvenience-others-for-your-own-reasons/1028001/53 "2026-03-01T16:19:51Z")
> [@Dinsdale](#): > > Wow! That seems sorta extreme. Would you mind generally stating where this is? Region? City/rural? This is the norm for child pickup at schools throughout most of the US. And has been for many years. I’m pretty sure your kids are in their 30s, so I can assure you that things have changed quite a bit since then. ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2026, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-what-circumstances-will-you-knowingly-inconvenience-others-for-your-own-reasons/1028001/54 "2026-03-01T16:24:59Z")
> [@RivkahChaya](#): > > I never said it was right. I just said don’t park like that in Indianapolis. People here are jerks If I’m ever in Indy again I’m going to intentionally do it. I don’t live in fear of what other people are going to do. I do what I want and if they react to it negatively I will deal with it then. ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2026, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-what-circumstances-will-you-knowingly-inconvenience-others-for-your-own-reasons/1028001/55 "2026-03-01T16:35:30Z")
> [@Justin\_Bailey](#): > > This is the norm for child pickup at schools throughout most of the US. And has been for many years. Not the Jr High down the street. Chicago suburb. Just stating my opinion that that seems extreme. ---
**Author:** ![P-man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/p-man/32/3606_2.png) [@P-man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/P-man)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2026, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-what-circumstances-will-you-knowingly-inconvenience-others-for-your-own-reasons/1028001/56 "2026-03-01T16:37:57Z")
It’s not the case in DC, but they need parental permission. ---
**Author:** ![Justin\_Bailey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justin_bailey/32/8792_2.png) [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2026, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-what-circumstances-will-you-knowingly-inconvenience-others-for-your-own-reasons/1028001/57 "2026-03-01T16:58:01Z")
> [@Dinsdale](#): > > Not the Jr High down the street. Chicago suburb. How do you know that? Also, it was specified _child_. Think 5, 6, 7, 8. Of course the rules are going to be different at junior highs and high schools. ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2026, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-what-circumstances-will-you-knowingly-inconvenience-others-for-your-own-reasons/1028001/58 "2026-03-01T17:08:59Z")
> [@Justin\_Bailey](#): > > How do you know that? Because I see kids walk/bike home unaccompanied every day? Are we speaking past each other somehow? ---
**Author:** ![griffin1977](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/977dab/32.png) [@griffin1977](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/griffin1977)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2026, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-what-circumstances-will-you-knowingly-inconvenience-others-for-your-own-reasons/1028001/59 "2026-03-01T17:09:42Z")
> [@HMS\_Irruncible](#): > > answer questions in the most literal, direct way I know how IMO this is not inconveniencing anyone, I wish everyone answered questions like that. There is nothing more irritating than people asking the question they think I should be asking, not the question I asked. This just happened to me at work, I asked “how do I compile project X on platform Y” and got a long discussion about why I wanted to compile that project on that platform, and where to get the prebuilt binaries. If I wanted that “stack overflow” response I would have asked on stack overflow. ---
**Author:** ![doreen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/858c86/32.png) [@doreen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doreen)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2026, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-what-circumstances-will-you-knowingly-inconvenience-others-for-your-own-reasons/1028001/60 "2026-03-01T17:24:29Z")
This was the original statement. > [@RivkahChaya](#): > > Some school systems will no longer dismiss a child on their own until high school. Most of the time , “high school” does not include JHS and definitely not middle school. In any event, even if that is how it works throughout most of the US, that doesn’t mean that Dinsdale and I don’t see 10 year olds walking home on their own.The school on my corner only goes to fifth grade and there are definitely kids walking home alone. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-what-circumstances-will-you-knowingly-inconvenience-others-for-your-own-reasons/1028001.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-what-circumstances-will-you-knowingly-inconvenience-others-for-your-own-reasons/1028001.md?page=4)