By CC Pung
Justice of Peace
Tokoh Wartawan Sabah and FT Labuan
BREAKING rules is human nature. I think it’s instinctive.
There’s even this age-old belief that ‘rules are meant to be broken’.
Growing up as a Baby Boomer through the hippie era of anti establishment, counter culture and all manner of behavioural, rules and traditions were enemies.
And, along with it, traditions were laughed upon, long hair and mop-top (like The Beatles) were statements of defiance, denim jeans (the dirtiest the better) and T-shirts were fashion of the generation.
Now in my sunset years, I’m amazed that I turned out OK despite years of defying rules and conventions, and bordering on being dysfunctional.
So here I was at a gathering of Lion members where the subject of protocol,, traditions, ceremonial rituals, protocol, etc etc attracted much polarising views.
On one side are those who see beauty and utility in all the strictures…on the other side who advocated changing to suit the ‘times’ in their belief that strict rules and protocols are boring and have no appeal.
Ì was flabbergasted.
Aren’t these people parents?
Don’t they observe some parenting or household rules no matter how their kids resisted?
What would happen to them if their weren’t traffic rules?
What would become of their August law-making parliaments or congresses if there weren’t Rober’s Rules to govern procedures and behaviour.
We are humans.
From a family to the United Nations, we function in an organised manner and that denotes orderliness which is the result of rules.
And, rules are like salt and pepper in food.
We don’t eat salt and pepper, or cinnamon, saffron, chilli etc on their own.
They bring out the best in our food.
Rules and protocol are boring on their own.
But when applied, they bring out the best of the civilised humans.
I don’t agree with those who rationalised that rules and ceremonial rituals be done away with in official Lions events.
They think Lions clubs should pander to new members because Lionism needs to replenish its membership worldwide.
That’s bull to me because there’s much about Lionism worth guarding.
Someone once told me that ‘if your club is so laissez faire and easy to join, then it’s probably not worth joinin’.
I once scoffed at an advice about decorum at our State Palace concerning how I must, when crossing my legs, avoid having the sole of my shoe facing any one.
Who could be so touchy-feely, I remember asking myself.
I grew out of my childishness when I realised that rules distinguished a Palace event and one at a coffeeshop sans rules.. Rules respect everybody.
We grew up being told ‘spare the rod, spoil the child’.
For our Lions Club, it’s ‘spare the rules, you’re in jeopardy’.
Editor: The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of talantang.com