RULES ARE MEANT...

Following up on last week’s post, the Gap dresses arrived. One looked great. The second one, not so great. I looked like... I don’t know what I looked like, but it wasn’t good. 

When I placed the dress order, the webpage gave instructions for return in store and by mail. That was good. Last time, one item had been a return by mail only item, It was a nuisance. I also had to return another item from that earlier order, but it could be returned in store. When I returned it after having already mailed the other piece back, the sales associate told me that I could have returned the mail only item to the store,despite the instructions.

Surprise—when I looked at the packing slip for this last order, the items had a “mail only” return notice. Because of the last experience with the sales associate in store and because this item wasn’t flagged online as a mail only return, I went to the store. This time, a different associate told me that I had to return by mail. I told her (nicely) that she needed to override the return rule and explained why. Quickly, she processed the return. 

Always question a rule or policy if you think that you have a better option. 

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Oh, how I hate to follow rules and policy when they don’t make sense. I don’t like cliches, but “rules are meant to be broken” is a part of my mantra—but only when appropriate. Not when a rule involves safety, courtesy to others—the important things in life.

When can you break a rule?

1) When the rule doesn’t make sense. In this last situation, despite the mail only return instructions, it was very easy to return the dress in store. 

2) When you’re not in jeopardy of hurting others. Don’t run red lights—the real kind. It’s fine to run figurative red lights when appropriate.

3) Not when you’re dealing with government. Pay your taxes.. Don't leak state secrets--if you know any.

4) Not when there is a very clear and specific instruction that can’t be overlooked. Such as—when there is a sale and specific categories or item brands are clearly excluded. Don't ignore signage labeled "Danger/Do Not Enter"

5) Not when there is a contract. I've learned that some contracts could just as well have been written on toilet paper, having seen egregious breaches. But I do respect contracts. 

If you haven’t stepped outside of these parameters, let there be freedom to break the rules. While my little Gap adventure is a minor blip in the greater schema,rule breaking on bigger issues can be life altering—in a good way. Rule breakers can be groundbreakers—think writers, artists, scientists, revolutionaries. 

Rule breaking can lead to impressive outcomes. Rigid thinking doesn’t.

So much for my anarchistic side—for today.