As soon as we start understanding the things around us, probably the first thing we are taught is to respect your parents and other elders. By default, we respect and love our parents because they gave birth to us. They look after us, they care for us, they protect us and deep inside we always know that they always ask us to do things that aren’t selfish or are for our own benefits. We respect their wishes and act accordingly. We also respect the other elders in our life because they are elder to us and have seen more of this world than us. But do we respect them just because we are instructed or trained to do so? Or do we respect them because we are supposed?
They can be our elders, but that makes it customary for us to respect them is just a vague thought. Can you respect the elders who are physically and mentally abusive? Can we respect the people in our lives just because they are elder to us even when they are being unfair to us? The answer surely is ‘no’. We also in general talk about always respecting girls. That is truly thoughtful and the more subtle way to follow. But can we be respectful towards a mean girl? Can we be respectful towards a girl who abused you? Again the answer is ‘no’.
Respect should not be offered just because someone is elder or different in gender than us. Respect should follow between both individuals. It is a give and takes relationship. No person on earth is obligated to respect anyone on the earth. Be it a middle-class man or a president, younger or elder, woman or man, each and every person deserves to be respected. If you are not treated properly, you should pull the plug on your respect-giving. How many people in the world respect Stephen Hawking? How many of us respect Mother Teresa? Almost everyone does. They are respected not because of being elder or superior, they are respected for their life work and dedication to making mankind better. Hold a character and behaviour so pure that people will automatically treat you with respect.
Treat your drivers properly. Show respect for general workers. Address your waiter with respect. Thank the cleaners for taking care of your garbage. These are the small things that will make everyone respect you. This is why respect is a two-way street.
Also Read: Why respecting parents is as important as being successful in your life
