We’ve become a nation of lifehackers. We all want to get the most out of everything. And for many, that means working the system.
Heck, I work the credit card system. I frequently get free flights and hotel stays because I do things like buying gifts cards instead of directly buying what I want… It’s taking advantage of the system, and there’s nothing necessarily wrong with that. The problem is when we go beyond just working the system and become a jerk.
For instance, that line of cars trying to get onto the offramp… If you skip ahead and cut in front, you’re kinda being a jerk. That’s not working the system.
But how do you know the difference? Here are a few key differences between working the system and being a jerk.
Are You Ruining the Experience for Others?
If you’re ruining the experience for others, you aren’t working the system. You’re being a jerk.
Think of it like the guy who stays on the rollercoaster for two times around, knowing the people who run the ride aren’t really watching. Yes, he gets to ride the rollercoaster twice without having to stand in line twice. But the people who should have gone on the ride have to wait one more go-around just so this guy can “work the system”. What a jerk.
Are You Taking Something Away from Someone Else?
We all experienced this during Halloween—the bowl of candy sitting on someone’s porch with a sign that says, “Take one.” There’s always one person who realizes they can take advantage of the system and just grab all of the candy.
Unfortunately, that’s not working the system. That’s being a jerk to the other kids, because you took that experience away from them.
Are You Capitalizing on Other People’s Laziness?
Systems are put in place to keep people from being lazy or to help people who are ignorant. When you skirt around those systems, you’re working the system. By doing the hard work of learning and maintaining self-control, you can work the system where others won’t. That’s working the system.
Credit cards are a perfect example of this. Most people misuse credit cards. But if you use them well, you can work the system and get great benefits.
I find the general rule of thumb is this: If I feel like I’m taking advantage of someone else, I’m probably being a jerk. Of course, I’m certainly not perfect at this. But I wish we could all work a little bit harder at being nice to one another. Yes, work the system. But take the other option when we’re even remotely worried we might be taking advantage of another person.
So what would you add to the list? How do you know whether or not you’re working the system or being a jerk? Leave a comment below.