More rant-y goodness. Wow, this turned into a long post...TL;DR if you want, the basic idea behind all of it is this: Lam, you're fine, you care how you impact others. It's the ones who don't that we're mad at.
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Complaints are directed toward the inconsiderate. Drinker, smoker, whatever, doesn't matter to me. Their actions will hurt themselves, but that's their prerogative. I can feel bad for them, but if they can't be talked out of it, then attempting to force-stop them will only make them angry and try to it more just to make you more angry.
On the other hand, if someone has a legitimate problem with what another is doing (someone else will be hurt), then the person doing the objectionable action should concede that steps should be taken to negate the damage and/or remove it altogether. Even on a logic level, usually the one can more easily up and move or wait until the objectors are no longer around than the many can. (this is particularly a problem at bus stops. I can't move away from the smoker because then I have to leave the stop, which would result in missing the bus. They, on the other hand, can wait to smoke.) Lam, you are a considerate smoker. You smoke, but make an effort to do it in a way that doesn't bother the people around you.
Sometimes, figuring out if the complaint has merit can be tricky. That mostly applies to parenting and the role of the government in that, but that's a WHOLE other can-o-worms that really doesn't need debated in here. Just mentioned it so you know I know there are exceptions...
And, I do believe that all rules are present for a reason, and usually good reasons. Hats indoors? It may have been a matter of politeness and respect for everyone else present that have at least some basis in psychology (a hat hides your head and can be used to obscure your face, which is interpreted as a sign of untrustworthiness on a basic, instinctual level; the same reason is why more businesspeople trust a cleanshaven man over one with facial hair!), or property upkeep (the no-eating-on-the-bus rule is to lower the amount of food scraps present...accidental dropped food happens, which gets slimy-messy when it's a burger or ice cream, and its made worse because most don't live by the camping rule of "Pack it in, pack it out" and leave trash where it falls instead of being careful and finding a trash can), and some banks now ask head coverings and sunglasses be removed inside their buildings for security purposes. All the same, that is no reason for someone to go Rule Lock on someone if they don't follow it. They can dislike the person all they want, but they shouldn't feel they have the right to force compliance unless they own the place. For example, someone in your house or if you manage a place of business under a "Right to Refuse Business" clause...
Finally, inconsiderate drivers are insane. That's the base of it. They are blind to the fact that they are driving a mass that can cause incredible damage and death if misdirected. They think that the speed limit is optional. They think that they are the most important person on the road and their errand is a matter of life and death. Why do I think this? Why else would they drive the way they do? I can't think of anything important enough aside from an emergency room run or a bomb in the car that will explode if they drop below 55 miles per hour that won't wait until later. If they're late, then it's their fault for not planning better and allowing for previous tasks to run over time. Planning ahead makes sense and it's worked so far.
I'm not excluding myself, either. I haven't tailgated, but I have wanted to. But the thought that, if I am in an accident or pulled over for a speeding/reckless driving ticket, it will guarantee that I WILL be late keeps me from going overboard. Why risk it?
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*Note: "Rule Lock" is a term I just thought of to replace the term "rules nazi". Implication is that someone being a Rule Lock to another is trying to force compliance with, or "Lock" someone into following, said rule(s). Sounds good and doesn't have the insulting implication of being associated with Nazis...after all, the more a word is used, the less impact it has. Save "____-nazi" for someone you really want to insult!
