Why don't people follow the rules?

Q. We have a major home reconstruction going on. In this economy, you’d think people would be happy to have the work, but we’re having problems. Our contractor didn’t follow the plans, and the building inspector has stopped the work. He wants new plans brought to the building department, and showed us several plumbing and building violations he wants to see corrected in the new plans. Needless to say, we’re very upset. To make matters worse, our contractor walked off with a good amount of money he owes if he does not return. We read your column regularly and wanted you to know that even with all your advice, we still managed to fall into this pit. You’re sometimes a little rough with your opinions, but now we see why. We’ll solve this problem, but please print this so others will know that this really does happen.

A. Funny how some people will spat over having to follow building codes, which are laws for public safety, then argue even more that their favorite sport’s rules are not being followed to the letter. Between tennis matches I’ve watched go into meltdown mode, football arguments, and golf debates that turn ugly during this gentleman’s game, I find it ironic, and twisted, that grownups can be so selective about which rules they honor or respect. And that really is the key: respect.

Like plans not followed during construction so that you’re stuck with someone’s arbitrary bad decision, the rules, and wishes of the owner, need to be respected. Your wishes are in those plans and were not honored. I wonder if your contractor acts the same way on the golf course, moving the ball around a tree without taking a penalty. The same can be said for crossing the net to argue where a ball landed, or deciding that the referee was wrong even when the replay shows the call was correct. Manipulating others with complete disregard is just disrespectful, and wrong.