Complete Disregard of Regulations

One thing that foreigners and civil-minded locals cannot accept any more is the flagrant disregard of rules and regulations.  This is happening all around us all the time and such irresponsible behaviour from certain people creates problems and discomfort for others and sometimes leads to serious quarrels or worse. 

People who have spent most of their lives living abroad are generally more educated in this regard.  They are used to observing the law because they have learnt their lessons the hard way.  One gentleman from abroad  was telling me that many years ago when he was still a teenager he was fined 1000 Euro for parking in front of a health clinic for a few minutes.  In vain he protested and stated his case because he had to pay the fine which was equivalent to a month's pay at that time.  These people therefore usually take good care to stay within their limits and not to be a bother to others.  In the same way they expect their neighbours to act in the same way.

Well, why do some people here in Gozo and in Malta disregard the law and do some of the things listed below?  Is it lack of education,  a lack of serious law enforcement, a mixture of both?  Then there are those who hold the view that the character of the people of the Mediterranean is like that, lax and couldn't care less, but if it is indeed so it is high time that we have it corrected.

Although we have all kinds of laws and regulations, this is what some people do.  As a result they annoy other people, harm the environment and do serious damage to the reputation of our beautiful Island.  This situation really makes one's head reel.

With regards to Rubbish, some people ...............

take out their rubbish before the due time
place their rubbish in front of other people's premises
dump their unwanted things in a secluded spot at night

Pets
walk their dog and leave his pooh behind on the streets and pavements
feed several cats outside in the streets
keep pigeons on the roof of their houses

Cars
park on yellow lines especially at night
block or partly block roadways
have oil dripping from their sump
honk their horn at night
play excessively loud music as they drive along
have smoking silencers

Motor Cycles
drive excessively even in the vicinity of Police Stations
have very load silencers

Driving
ignore road signs
drive up a wrong way
enjoy road-hogging
drive along pedestrianized streets
do not use blinkers

Trucks and Heavy Vehicles
overload and therefore spilling and breaking the roads
load silencers
smoking exhaust pipes

With regards to Pubs and Restaurants some owners .........
occupy space which is not theirs
block the passage and doorways of the neighbours
allow swearing and excessive shouting on their premises
play very loud music after the allotted time 

So what?  What's the big deal, you may ask? What does it matter if some drivers do not use blinkers or a few restaurants play loud music far into the night? 

It does indeed matter and it is having serious implications since all this gives the impression that in Malta and Gozo everything goes and one can get away with anything.