Social Responsibility
An article I read recently at CNN.com noted basically there are two types of people in life: those who kick the grocery store cart up on the curb and drive off or those who return the cart to the store (or, I assume, to the cart corral). I'm the latter. I've always tried to play by the rules and tried to follow instructions. If someone asks me to do something, typically, if I can honor the request, it gets done. Hey, I wasn't voted Most Dependable in 8th grade for nothin'!
Given my personality, I have encountered some difficult situations because I honestly tend to be a very black or white type of person. I know that I shouldn't always be like that. It's just my default setting. I don't live well in gray areas.
For example, my community homeowners association (HOA) has a rule against street parking. Residents nor guests should park on the street. Vehicles either get parked in garages or in guest parking. Pretty simple rule, right?
When the HOA decided to enforce the rule, it wasn't pretty. Some of the "gray area" homeowners became enraged and flat out incorrigible, describing the rule as "Big Brother" and "Draconian." Havoc ensued. Warning tickets were ripped up and thrown to the ground. For whatever reason, the HOA didn't pursue much in terms of towing (probably fearful of backlash?). My argument was these rules were ones every one of us bought into when we closed on our houses. Why would the non-compliant rule breakers raise a stink when they are suddenly enforced? The logic still escapes me.
Following the rules is an admirable and socially responsible thing to do. A little respect can often go a long way. Back to the grocery store carts, I mean, isn't it a tad selfish to be the type of person who doesn't return the cart to its proper home, creating more work for others?
We also posed this question on Facebook. Have a look at some of the responses!