Why is it that some people think the rules are mere suggestions, meant for everyone else but them?
From their perspective, it’s a matter of “do what I say, not what I do” even though that’s definitely not how life works. Their excuses, justifications, and bold statements are as entertaining as they are frustrating. These are some of the things you’ll often hear them say in order to avoid playing by the rules.
1. “Oh, I didn’t realise that applied here.”
Feigning ignorance is a classic move for someone sidestepping the rules. They act as if the rule in question is completely new information, even if it’s glaringly obvious. It’s their way of avoiding accountability without outright denying the rule. Somehow, their confusion always works in their favour.
2. “It’s not a big deal, though.”
Minimising the situation is their go-to when caught bending the rules. By downplaying the importance of the rule, they hope to convince other people it doesn’t matter. This often comes with a dismissive shrug or a confident grin. To them, the fuss is always unnecessary—because, of course, they know best.
3. “I was only bending the rule a little.”
If they can’t deny their behaviour, they’ll argue it wasn’t that bad. They believe their minor infraction shouldn’t count, conveniently ignoring that rules are meant to apply equally. Saying this lets them feel like they’re not breaking the rules—just slightly bending them to fit their needs.
4. “I had a good reason for it.”
They’re masters at justifying their actions with seemingly valid excuses. Whether it’s “I was in a hurry” or “It made more sense this way,” their reasons are always tailored to suit their perspective. The implication? Rules should be flexible when it comes to their circumstances.
5. “But I’ve always done it this way.”
Tradition becomes their shield when challenged, as if their long-standing behaviour somehow exempts them. They lean on the idea that consistency trumps rules. It’s their way of making the abnormal seem normal—at least for them. If they’ve done it before, why should they stop now?
6. “No one cares about this rule anyway.”
By claiming the rule isn’t taken seriously, they attempt to justify ignoring it. This suggests that they’re not alone in their disregard, even if they might be the only one caught. It’s their attempt to normalise their behaviour by implying everyone else is secretly doing the same.
7. “I’m not hurting anyone.”
For them, the absence of direct harm means the rule doesn’t need to be followed. They overlook the broader implications of rules meant to create fairness or order. As long as their actions don’t seem to have immediate consequences, they see no problem bending the system.
8. “Rules are meant to be broken, right?”
Some say this playfully, while others genuinely mean it. Either way, it reveals their belief that rules are more of a challenge than a guideline. To them, following the rules isn’t just unnecessary—it’s boring. They thrive on bending boundaries and seeing how far they can go.
9. “I didn’t think anyone would notice.”
Admitting they took a chance, they casually confess to breaking the rule because they assumed it wouldn’t matter. It’s less an apology and more a wink at getting caught. This carries a certain boldness, as if they’re saying, “You caught me—good job.”
10. “Well, I didn’t get caught last time.”
Past success in ignoring the rules fuels their belief that they can keep pushing the boundaries. They see getting caught as bad luck, not a reflection of their choices. It’s as if they believe the rule itself only applies occasionally—and never to them twice in a row.
11. “You’re taking this way too seriously.”
If someone calls them out, they’ll often flip the narrative, suggesting the other person is overreacting. By reframing the situation, they shift attention away from their behaviour. It’s their way of making the rule enforcer feel like the odd one out for caring at all.
12. “I thought this was just a guideline.”
Playing coy, they pretend the rule was more of a suggestion than an actual requirement. This helps them sidestep accountability while maintaining a sense of innocence. Rules, to them, are more like friendly advice they can choose to follow—or not.
13. “Nobody enforces that anyway.”
Pointing out a lack of enforcement gives them a free pass in their mind. If no one else is getting in trouble, why should they? It’s a classic excuse for skirting responsibility while pretending the rule’s irrelevance justifies ignoring it altogether.
14. “I thought it didn’t apply to me.”
Whether it’s because of their role, status, or self-perception, they genuinely believe they’re an exception. They frame themselves as an outlier to rationalise their behaviour. This reveals their knack for conveniently excluding themselves from rules meant for everyone else.
15. “I didn’t think it was that important.”
By ranking rules in terms of importance, they decide for themselves which ones are worth following. Such a casual dismissal suggests that they see some rules as optional. If it doesn’t seem significant to them, it’s easier to ignore altogether.
16. “Come on, it’s not like I broke the law.”
They often use exaggeration to make their infraction seem minor by comparison. If it’s not illegal, it’s fair game—or so they’d have you believe. This reflects their ability to downplay situations and redirect attention away from their behaviour. To them, rules and laws are worlds apart.
