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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think never breaking the law is common behaviour?

74 replies

lesley33 · 30/01/2012 16:05

In a debate some months ago another poster said something along the lines of - well we all break the law in some ways. When I said I never break the law, she said she didn't believe me.

But I don't break the law. No I don't speed, shoplift, etc. The ONLY time I have ever broken the law was stealing a pick and mix sweet from woolworths at about 7 years of age. But I don't think this is unusual I think lots of people never break the law either.

So AIBU to think lots of people have never broken the law?

OP posts:
Kladdkaka · 30/01/2012 16:25

I've been finger printed. But that's because I went into the police station when I was about 6 and asked.

flywiththecrows · 30/01/2012 16:27

I was jumped by a group of 7 or 8 girls outside a nightclub, I remember being on the floor while they kicked the shit out of me.

I spent the night in custody that night Hmm

unusualsuspect · 30/01/2012 16:27

I've been fined for illegal possession of cannabis Grin

VivaLeBeaver · 30/01/2012 16:28

I've broken the law - I've broken the speed limit though I try not to, but I would struggle to believe anyone why says they've never done 31mph in a 30 limit, 71mph on a motorway.

I also put itunes music onto a cd (for my own use)

ReneeVivien · 30/01/2012 16:29

This thread is making me realise how much petty crime is opportunistic. I don't drive. My tax is PAYE. I'm too stupid to understand how to download films and music. I don't really get the chance NOT to be a paragon, do I? Grin

keepingupwiththejoneses · 30/01/2012 16:31

Have you ever sat in the back seat of a car (in the last 10 years or so) and not worn a seatbelt, that's illegal! Also as others have said, recording the radio, putting a CD onto your Ipod, against the law!

Original poster
lesley33 · 30/01/2012 16:31

No I didn't try a cigarette. I didn't by alcohol underage- although I admit I tried once! I looked very young for my age and tried to get served in a pub once at 17 in a pub known for letting 14 and 15 year olds buy drinks. I got turned down. So in fairness I did try and break the law but didn't suceed.

OP posts:
ChazsBrilliantAttitude · 30/01/2012 16:32

Have you ever helped yourself to a pen from work? Technically, that is theft unless you have your employers express permission or reason to believe that they would have consented.

MrsPresley · 30/01/2012 16:32

I break the law lots Blush

I speed, slow down when I realise though, but there is one bit of road going to/from work that's a 50 and I always do around 55/60

I've parked on double yellow lines

Smoke while driving (and throw the end out the window Blush )

I've bought alcohol for my 3 eldest before they were 18

I've taken paperclips, pens and paper from my office

probably lots of the stuff said already, like taping off the radio etc and probably lots of things I havn't even thought about!

Kladdkaka · 30/01/2012 16:34

Viva I can honestly say that I've never gone over the speed limit. I use cruise control on the motorway.

hackmum · 30/01/2012 16:35

I think possibly what the OP is getting at is that some people think it's normal to break the law and others don't. It's like when the MPs' expenses scandal broke, some people say, Well, everybody fiddles their expenses, and I thought "I don't!" Similarly I don't take drugs, and never have, I never park anywhere illegal, I don't drop litter, I don't fiddle the insurance - again, I have a friend who does that and she thinks everyone does it. I do occasionally speed, esp. on the motorway.

Original poster
lesley33 · 30/01/2012 16:36

And yes I probably have sped unintentionally - 31/32 miles per hour. But never downloaded music -because I don't know how to Blush. But ok I did use to tape top of the pops from the tv when I was a kid - is that illegal? And yes I have taken the odd pen from the office.

God I'm a criminal after all!

Buyinga lcohol for under 18's I didn't think was an offence. You can legally drink at home - from 14 or 15?

OP posts:
StealthPenguin · 30/01/2012 16:36

I was cautioned by a police officer because I got very very angry with a girl while I was out with my friends. She accused me of flirting with her boyfriend, and stubbed a cigarette out on my arm - so I broke her wrist and kicked her to the floor. If I hadn't she would have hit me with her stilettos that were in her hand.

I was questioned, cautioned and told that if I wanted to press charges, I could. She learnt her lesson, so I didn't. I still have the scar on my arm.

accidentprawn · 30/01/2012 16:38

if taking pens from work is against the law then yes...
< i had to take the pencil that said made from recycled money i had to...>

Original poster
lesley33 · 30/01/2012 16:38

hackmum - You are right that is what I meant. The woman in question said well everyone breaks the law. And when I said I didn't she said - what you have never fiddled an insurance claim or shoplifted? Well no actually.

OP posts:
StealthPenguin · 30/01/2012 16:38

But no, never broken the law!

littlemisssarcastic · 30/01/2012 16:42

There are too many laws that I am not aware of to categorically say I never break the law.

I was surprised by how many things people I know do, as well as myself, that are against the law.

Putting a stamp upside down on a letter can amount to treason.
Eating mince pies on Christmas day. Shock

Not to mention the law against dying in the houses of parliament.

I'm sure I do break the law quite regularly, as do most people imo.

yellowraincoat · 30/01/2012 16:44

I just KNOW this is going to turn into a bun fight!

It AMAZES me that people are like "well I speed sometimes" as if that's not that bad. Hello! You can kill people doing that, and Wittsend, it's worse on the motorway, actually. That's where most accidents happen.

I have taken lots and lots of drugs. Ethically I have no problem with that (depending on the drug - I would never take cocaine again, now that I know how badly it affects the countries where it is produced.)

I didn't use to have a TV licence when I was a student.

I have put things through the self scanner wrongly, eg, putting an almond croissant through as a plain roll.

When I was a lowly Saturday girl, I was paid the frankly pitiful wage of £2.50 an hour. I supplemented this heavily with nicked make-up (which I don't feel that bad about as I was a right workhorse as a girl).

Sometimes things get delivered to our house that aren't ours because our posty is rubbish. I used to take them round to the person whose house it should have been, but she's always been deeply ungrateful and rude, so now I just have it all piled up in my hall. Not sure if that's illegal or not but if she wants it, she knows where I am.

Original poster
lesley33 · 30/01/2012 16:45

No not illegal if you are still keeping it for her to collect

OP posts:
Wittsend13 · 30/01/2012 16:46

MrsPresley When did smoking while driving become illegal?! I have been next to a Police car before with a fag in hand and nothing was said to me Shock

SardineQueen · 30/01/2012 16:48

I think it would be hard to find many people who have never broken the law, ever.

There are so many.

I have broken the law shitloads though.

I think most people have probably done something illegal relating to underage sex / booze or tried drugs for a start.

MrsGWay · 30/01/2012 16:49

Did you ever put human waste in landfill?

Wittsend13 · 30/01/2012 16:50

yellowraincoat Yeah I know. I'm not going to lie and say I won't speed because I know I will. I actually see more accidents on the residential roads than the motorways.

SardineQueen · 30/01/2012 16:50

Cycling on the pavement is illegal, even just a little bit.

Loads of driving ones. DH often forgets to indicate for eg. So he's breaking the law every time he does that I guess.

bejeezus · 30/01/2012 16:50

I don't feel bound by the law, I feel bound by my own ethics and morals. Which is why the law exists- because everyone's ate different

I would NEVER drive over the speed limit

I have taken lots of illegal drugs, had under age sex, been arrested for assault affray and don't always think criminal damage is wrong. I have friends who have broken international sanctions and I commend them. I can't feel affrontés by shop lifting from large supermarkets neither