Don’t tell me what to do!

Well I'm thinking that most people are in a position where they are told what to do on a continual basis. I'm lucky, because I don't have an authority figure breathing down my neck at work, and so I lucked out in that sense, but of course I do have to follow the rules, policies, etc, and essentially do what my "authorities" at work say. I think the only people I've ever used that phrase to were my parents, my sister, and maybe a friend or two. Besides work, where authority is going to be an obvious "issue", I don't feel like anyone outside of work has the right to boss me around. I've said this to my sister, I'm sure, several times - probably even recently - because she can be incredibly difficult and she thinks that she can control everyone else's lives..Which is clearly not the case and I get a little pissed about it (not gonna lie). I do agree that it's sometimes a way for people to avoid taking the blame for something THEY did wrong. Although I think it would be totally unprofessional to tell your boss, the person who cuts your checks, "Don't tell me what to do!". I would imagine you might get yourself into some trouble. lol.

I think it is important to express yourself when others don't take you seriously. Some people are good at using authoritative language to establish their own esteem within a social group. Making other people look 'submissive' is the first way to achieve a higher place. If they find you are an easy target, they will advance until they manage to create that position. Although everyone should be equal, some people just enjoy to have influence or power over others. It gives them confidence and they can create their own status on other people's expense. If people who are giving orders have no right to do so, i.e. he/she is not your elder relatives or bosses or team leaders or school masters, make sure he/she understands that he/she just did something very wrong and you will not let it happen again. Otherwise this person will always take advantage of you in a very selfish way for his/her own benefits.

The last time I uttered these words were just the other day when, as usual, my 11 yr old son was giving me a lecture on how I should have handled a particular issue LOL… To me, more than resenting authority, it’s the rubbing in of authority that ticks me off…you know, the attitude that since I’m superior or the authority or know better, so you better listen to me. I’ve seen this almost without exception…people who are in a superior position, rub it in and gloat so much about it, that its only but natural that you cant take it any more and blurt out ‘don’t tell me how to do it’…it may not always be associated with a mistake or admission of such.

No I don't like it, and I haven't said it in a while, because nobody tries to tell me what to do. But I've said, "don't tell me what I think" and "don't tell me how I feel" often enough lately.

Thank you for posting this. This made me laugh a lot. While I don't say this often, I hear it often in the classroom (I'm a sub). The students think they can tell me this because I'm not their regular teacher. I think it seems immature because it's assicoated with children a lot. However, if someone is trying to micromange you and they won't take subtle hints, I think it's fine to utter "don't tell me what to do!" as a last resort. About two months ago someone was really annoying me in my personal life and I had enough and said "You're not the boss of me!" They said it was immature , but it got them to back off. Surprisingly, though, I usuaually do like being told what to do. I don't like always being in charge or making the decisions in my personal life.

I do not think anyone likes to be told what to do at any age really. I am however at a point where I can simply take a few breaths, try to relax and smile. Nothing lost with a little added knowledge, but for someone to try to escalate me into a dispute when I clearly do not like it, well I just try to smile and thank the person.

This phrase usually goes along with an argument. that is probably the last time I uttered these words. They were probably aimed at my children or close family member. Only they could push me that far.

Hahaha, thank you for the chuckle! I've reacted the same to the phrase most of my life. Like you, I guess I don't say it much anymore, but then I rarely have anyone try to tell me what to do anymore. And so funny you posted this today... yesterday my 69 year old uncle screamed this phrase a few times at me and my cousins while we were working for him on a tree service job, hahaha!

I agree with you completely that sometimes I tend to utter those words to people or family members who are younger than me. I do less now since I matured and also read in an article that such statement closes one's own mind to the possibility of learning from another person since when we utter the self same words as that the person we are talking with would take that as a warning of an impending quarrel or argument. It is always my wayward tongue who got the better of me. Sometimes we speak words we don't really mean saying.

i dont think ive said that since i was like.. 10. i think its prolly a rebelious thing. now.. if i dont do it.. its nobodie fault but mine.. im the mommy now.. so i gotta set a good example i reckon

God no I'm like you where and I'm 32 now.lol My girlfriend has a really bad habit of tell me what to do all the time and it drives me nuts. I personally can't see how the phrase would mean a refusal to admit mistakes when she is just flat right out tell me to do something. Its really got nothing to do with being able to admit something or being wrong its just the plain simple fact that the majority of people hate to be told what to do when they could be asked instead and get better results. I always ask my girlfriend why she constantly tells me what to do instead of asking and all I ever get in return is that she's use to being in the position of control because she was a single mom of 3 and running a huge security company. I guess some old habits are just hard for all of us to break.

The last time i said that is when i was still working as an IT Supervisor in one of Mall in Makati, that was 1 year ago. I guess i was really pissed off already on my job and what the management wants me to do, that's when i quit my job. Well i think i made the right decision, look at me now i'm already a businessman. I own a gym and several agricultural business in our province. I guess i won't be saying that phrase again for some time.

I always say this phrase when I was in highschool. you can say it was my rebellious stage. LOL i still say this nowadays, but rarely. Right now, i realized it's also important to listen to others. :)

I'm a 17 year old student and i hate it when a teacher tells me what to do but I do it anyways. Why I do this,its because i am a respectful young man and if a teacher or any other adult tells me what to do I'm going to do it most of the times.

I never said that phrase, I just wouldn't do what they wanted me to do Unless I understood Why they wanted me to do it. So it would go like this . My mom would tell me to do something and I would ask Why? If she didn't give me a reason , i wouldn't do it . In fact I would argue my point why I won't do it. The one time I was told I was going on a trip no matter what , I made sure I got in trouble on the trip! And even now, if the reason is explained , I can and will follow instructions . But If some one saids Do This because I say so. I now say F@ck you I am not doing it!

Hey bounce! I happen to be sort of loling right now. I told my bf/roomy that just a little while ago! I don't even remember right now what he said to me to piss me off to say that, but I know I did! And as soon as I heard him trying to give me "orders" those words came right out of my mouth!lol I guess it is something that became ingrained from saying it so many times when I was growing up!I'm not sure if getting older changes things all that much. Maybe just the times that you have to say it! I'm sorry but, I have to say that you have given me the only reason I have had to smile all day and I truly thank you and I really mean it!

I have never said this to anyone - and do not intend to. However, I have an older sister who has told me what to do all of my life and it really irks me. She is coming to me for 5 weeks at Christmas and although I love her she is impossible to live with. Ten years older than I am and what an authority figure still

People usually use the words, "don't tell me what to do" to assert their authority on those who are either younger and juniors; or inferiors. No one would dare to use these words against someone who is either older and senior; or superior. Whenever you use such harsh words the person to whom you address these words takes it as a challenge. He or she is more likely to make up his or her mind to challenge your authority, either immediately or sometime later. Using harsh words always fuel antagonism. One must avoid using harsh words at all cost.

It depends on the situation. Of course if I'm in trouble and need help, I won't say that words. But on the thing I master, on I have now what to do, I really want to say that. But I never. The most I do is just keep silent or ask the one telling me to shut up. In other case, I might just kid by saying; wow that's great. Would you then do that for me, you're master, are you? Just like that, lol!