Ever heard the expression “rules for thee but not for me”? This article will unpack what it means, what it signifies, and public reaction to it. You’ll feel like an expert. Let’s go.
What is meant by the phrase “rules for thee but not for me”?
When people use the phrase “rules for thee but not for me” they are calling out hypocrisy and unfairness, by stating that while those in authority are happy to apply rules and standards toward others, they are not so inclined to apply them to themselves.
How do people use the phrase “rules for thee but not for me”?
People use the phrase “rules for thee but not for me” to highlight double standards and the hypocrisy that’s apparent when those who are in charge decide to enforce rules on thers that they are not prepared to abide by themselves.
Example of “rules for thee but not for me”
During the Covid pandemic, in the UK, the public were told by the then Prime Minister Boris Johnson not to have social gatherings, but to instead keep social interaction to a minimum. The public was even told to have no more than 5 people at a funeral. Meanwhile Johnson was having parties for around 30 people during lockdown.
This incident became known as Partygate, and the Prime Minister had no choice but to apologise again and again for his hypocrisy. At the time MPs may be heard using the phrase “rules for thee but not for me” to disgrace the Prime Minister and others involved. The attempt to hold Johnson and his party to account fell short, and the general public was left bitter.
Consequences of a “rules for thee but not for me” culture
The consequences of such culture are many fold. Firstly, it exacerbates existing social inequalities. This is bad enough in itself, but in addition to that it demonstrates a lack of accountability which in turn leads to an erosion of trust between those who follow the rules, and those who see fit to ignore them on the basis of their own authority.
Sometimes the consequences of such a culture care relatively minor, perhaps just causing an inconvenience. However, there may be situations in which those who do not like to obey rules cause danger for others. This is when the “rules for thee but not for me” culture becomes particularly distasteful.
Final word
So, to summarise, the phrase “rules for thee but not for me” describes a situation where those in positions of authority apply rules and expectations to others but exempt themselves from those same rules. A modern example of “rules for thee but not for me” is Partygate in the UK during the Covid pandemic. It’s a quick way to summarise how power can corrupt by having people in charge who choose not to stick the rules they set because they think they are above everyone else. It can be a grating injustice.
