Take It or Leave It

Is it rude if you cut in line, grab a girl around the neck, shoulder your way past a crowd, or is it just take what you want? At the very least it's clear how you feel about things.

Is it respectful if you wait in line, wait your turn to speak, address everybody in a deferrent - if slightly formal - manner? Is it clear to everyone what you want, if you do it this way? Wouldn't it make you vulnerable to getting pushed over? Isn't this just lazy, leaving it up to social conventions whether you achieve what you want or not?

In life, career and love you need to balance out clearly stating what you want, versus showing respect while doing it. It's the renegade way of doing things, versus the grinding way of doing things. One way takes some risks, takes some short cuts. Sometimes it requires a sense of fearlessness. Sometimes it requires smarts and wit. Often it requires luck. But the potential payoff is very big.

The other way is safer, quieter, more docile but also slower; you have to work harder, endure more frustration for a longer period of time, and success rates are mediocre. If you scare easily, or stick to stuff you know, this is the way to go. Just don't complain when some people around you go wizzing by.

I want what I want, and I know what I am prepared to do to get what I want. I'm not a cheater and not a grinder. But I'm also not a complainer, and remain fully aware of where I am.

I am here. Take It of Leave It.