I will be honest and say that I am not always a rule follower. In fact, I have a pretty difficult time following the speed limit, when not in a residential neighborhood.

But business rules exist for a reason. Oftentimes, they are in place for the safety of their customers and themselves. These rules I do my best to follow.

For example, a school has locked doors and you can only enter by being buzzed in and checking with the front office. There are reasons for that. The majority of that reason is the safety of the children within the building.

If a dance studio doesn’t allow parents into the lobby, there is a reason. Or multiple reasons. Having parents in the lobby is a distraction to the students. There are many students and the lobby is small. If every parent comes in to drop off and pick up their students, things get crowded and confusing. It is hard for the teacher, or lobby parent, to be sure that the right kids are leaving with the right parents, or to be sure someone doesn’t sneak out the door. Especially during cold and flu season, the more people in an enclosed space, the more likely things will be spread. The dances the students are working on are supposed to be a surprise for the parents at the recital. The reasons are numerous.

I talked about respect in yesterday’s post. I think following these rules isn’t just about respect, it is about caring about people outside of yourself.

I guess today’s post it brought to you courtesy of the bad-behaving parents that I deal with week after week. Sorry not sorry for my rant.

Are you a rule follower? Do you respect the rules that are for people’s safety, even if there are other rules that you don’t follow?