The "It's a free country" Argument

Has anyone else noticed that the only people who use this argument are usually a--holes?

Yesterday on the El, two 17-year old girls (one with a year old baby. Congrats!) got on and started to play their ringtones really loudly and sing along to them. A woman across the way asked if they would please turn those down and they said, "Uh-uh." A minute later, I got fed up and said, "That's really loud. Will you please turn that down?" They told me no, to shut the eff up, and that if I didn't like it I could move to another car. Then they started in with the "It's a free country" thing. (They even moved to the seat directly perpendicular to me so that they could play their ringtones loudly right in my face.)

But, you see, the thing is it's not really a free country. There are all sorts of things we can't do, i.e. have sex with animals, kill people, smoke in restaurants, walk around in public naked, beat children, drive as fast as we want, etc. I tried to explain that to these girls, but, of course, they didn't listen.

I guess the point is that it's our right as Americans to be a--holes according to so many people.

Any thoughts?

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i hate people.

"it's a free country" is just about as bad as the "there are lot more important things to worry about in the world than..." argument people use to diminish anything that is not the current tragedy du jour.

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We cant beat children?!
Oops.

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Sing show tunes as loudly as possible...not "cool" ones like "One Night Only" or "One Song Glory" or "Purple Summer" but embarrassing ones like "We had a real nice clambake", "Adelaides Lament" or "Shoopoopy"

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I don't even go to the movies anymore unless it's an early show on the weekends because there are a lot less people.

I can handle a lot of stuff, but rudeness is not one of them. I sometimes try to tell people that they're not in their homes, but they always manage to talk over me.

Le sigh...

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Because you're so old, Calvin.

Ever since moving to the city over two years ago, I've become much more assertive in calling people out on their behavior. But more often than not I get the "But it's a free country!" self-righteous mantra.

I myself try to be considerate of others. No, I don't tiptoe around, but I try not to blare my music at home so loudly that it bothers me neighbours. I talk softly if at all on my phone when I'm in public. I don't clip my nails on the El. *shiver* I don't get why it's so hard to be considerate of other people.

Oh wait, it's because it's their right. Duh.

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As if on cue, someone in my office is walking around behind me and having a very loud and very inappropriate cell phone conversation.

<----He did.

It was in my early coming out days. I saw every gay-themed movie that made it to Houston.

See, on a train, I just think the person as -- as Ann Landers would have said -- a clod. But in an office? These are people who you see every day.

Unfortunately Pip, it usually only amuses those around you...it rarely changes the behaviour...

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I do NOT hesitate to join in on loud cell phone conversations: A couple "What did he say??"'s will usually get the talker muted.

doodle and Joe, I love it. I'm going to use one of those next time.

This is an honest question and not a rhetorical whine:

Why aren't so many people aware of the people surrounding them and unaware that they are being discourteous?

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i think your first post hit the nail on the head, sg. the people doing the behavior do not think they're being rude, or offensive, or whatever. so why should they stop doing something that is not "wrong" in their mind.

our entire culture needs to be put in timeout. or sit on the naughty mat. or a good old-fashioned wooden spoon to the rear with an extended handle and flat surface for better coverage like i got.

it's all about "me" now.

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