Rules Rule

The Graun ask Julian Baggini, the author of What's It All About? Philosophy and the Meaning of Life, for a few rules to help make modern life more bearable. His list is a pretty decent start:

• You should not accept or continue a phone call if a shop assistant is serving you.
  
• You should never text anybody while in the middle of a conversation.
  
• You should always monitor your volume when chatting on your mobile.
  
• You should only send email round robins in extremis.
  
• Stop for pedestrians at pedestrian crossings.
  
• On public transport, allow people to alight before you board.
  
• Do not put your feet up on the seats.
  
• Do not smooch in the company of others.
  
• Always dump in person, not by text, fax or email.
  
• If you go through a door first you should always hold it open for those who follow.
  
• Offer your seat to the elderly, but don't assume they'll want it.
  
• Offer your seat to a pregnant women.
  
• If invited to someone's house for dinner, don't be one of the ungrateful fed.
  
• Don't drink more at a party than you brought.
  
• Do include little Emily and baby Jack when addressing Christmas cards to their parents.
  
• Never tell somebody else's child off in front of them, or criticise adults for their poor parenting. Except when you should.
  
• Do not undertake.
  
• Wipe down gym equipment after use.
  
• Stick to the swimming lane that's right for you.
  
• Remember that neither the cinema nor the theatre is your front room.
  
• Don't punctuate your sentences with profanities in public.
  
• Don't think "I was here first" is a trump card.