1. If you ask someone to stop what they're doing then you're trying to get them to do what you want and stop doing what they want. In other words, you're trying to enforce your will on them by trying to get them to stop doing what they have chosen to do.
Sorry John. I agree with most of your post but this is just plain incorrect. To ask and to demand/enforce your will, are two very different things.
When one asks for something, the person is looking for consideration from you. It doesn't matter if I'm asking you to pass the sugar or to stop being disruptive. Nothing says you have to comply with the consideration I would like to have. In turn, I should then have consideration for your preference.
If I demand(enforce my will), I'm asking or telling you to do something under the assumption of authority. In the discussion here, as you and others have pointed out, it's an authority that doesn't exist. You either comply or I better be ready for escalation in order to get my way.
But if you really believe that the number of self-centered, inconsiderate and increasingly volative people is rising, isn't that really the best argument you could make against creating a confrontation when you can avoid it? Essentially your statement acknowledges that your chances of encountering a self-centered, inconsiderate and volatile persion is higher now than it used to be and that the chances are still going up.
If we accept that as true then we are admitting that it's becoming less and less of a good idea to confront persons.
I read this and then realized your in DFW. That's a large consideration. I'm originally from NYC. Big city people are rude, self-centered, demanding, etc. Similar in L.A., Chicago, Miami, Houston, etc., and probably DFW as well. That's what it takes to survive in those environs. And it's spreading.
So yes, you make a valid point about surviving. I just wonder how long until we are all living that way? My town wasn't that way and it's been changing quite a bit over the last 15 years. It doesn't seem like the future bodes well for us, even more so if we don't interact. It's all a balancing act, risk vs benefit of outcome.
