#smed12 How difficult is it to follow instructions?

How difficult is it to follow instructions?

Instructions are not difficult to follow we make it difficult simply because we don’t like being told what to do. Society has this unwritten rule which allows people to ignore instructions even though it is there to create order. We are always the first to complain when things go wrong but we don’t like following instructions.

We switch off at the thought of being told what to do. Example: We drive 120 km in an 80 zone, but the minute you get a speeding fine you change your behavior and follow instructions instead. So why do we do this? To prove a point or to see what the consequences of our actions will be? Surely the idea of being restricted is not perceived as having fun.

So many people read signs and instructions and at the same time they do the opposite of what it says. Why is it that the simple instructions are yet the easiest to ignore or to follow? Example: At the mall entrance I often see the instruction “automatic door do not push”, and there is always someone pushing the door. Several signs in the train saying “all doors should be closed while the train is in operation” but we still have people hanging out of the train. At the bank “no cellular phones” and you often see people having long conversations while they standing in the line. We park on parking spaces where the instruction clearly says “no parking” or loading zone.

We choose to not follow instructions because it’s convenient not difficult. Therefore the instruction is not the problem but the attitude of the people.