Respect for you, Respect for me Differences in Value By Mo2 on February 16th, 2008

Respect according to dictionary.com (at least the definition I’m referring to) is “deference to a right, privilege, privileged position, or someone or something considered to have certain rights or privileges; proper acceptance or courtesy; acknowledgment.”

Now what does that mean? That’s the hard part, so many people have different ways of respecting people and even if we were able to understand the above definition of respect, ten different people could have ten different ways to express their “respect” for another individual.

There are cultural, national, and personality differences, among many, that could result in this difference. Yet we shouldn’t forget that there are some social norms in the places that we live and in my mind, those norms should be placed first before anything else. If not, then the place the individual is living may not be suitable for them.

Then the next question would be what the social norm is and if those norms are even respectful. It really is a never-ending discussion that leads to whether or not if “common sense” is really common at all, because personally I’ve seen too many people that don’t have this thing called “common sense.” I should start distributing a "common sense pill” existed where if you took it all that should be common sense you will understand in an instant. If you're interested please e-mail me 10 pills for $4.99. They will be sent electronically.

Keeping a Promise you make
This is something that I think should be on everyone’s list as being respectful to another no matter what country or universe they live in. If you say you’re going to do something in a decently meaningful manner for another (i.e. not sarcastic or under life threatening pressure) then you should go about and do it.

We make promises often at home, at work and a lot of places that we have interactions at. You say you’ll have the paperwork done by 5 to your boss, or you say that you’ll bring a bottle of champagne home tonight to your loved one. These are promises that you are making and when you make them you should follow through with them. By doing this, you are being respectful.

Discrimination
In a world where that equality is starting to become stronger, discrimination is still very much evident in our daily lives. Statements are made passively and actively in the media and around us that are taken for granted yet those are discriminatory statements. Some stereotypes are discriminatory while some help identify groups of individuals.

Words are extremely powerful, and the use of these words can really break or make a respectful conversation. The tone of voice you use when you say something to another individual can be disrespectful.



Mo2 Thinks...
Respect isn’t something that is born overnight. If you were taught that being disrespectful was all right, then to you that is being respectful. Have I confused you yet? We have a different ways of thinking and that’s what makes this world we live in harsh and yet enjoyable to live in.

If someone was to send me an e-mail I do the best to respond as soon as I can (given that it isn’t in the junk mail folder) because I see that as a way of respecting the other person. But for some responding within a month of receiving the e-mail is good enough and to others they just seem to think that not responding at all is ok.

Whatever we do in our everyday lives we need to respect to survive. You can’t expect to drive out on the street and drive whatever way you want or to say everything you actually think because this will hurt a lot of people’s feelings. What goes around comes around; while this isn’t always true it does happen more often than not.

I always like to think that when I’m dealing with anyone do the best you can to make him or her feel better, because that’s how I want someone to treat me, with respect. It doesn’t hurt to make someone’s day by complimenting them. When was the last time you appreciated someone by telling them and actually meaning it? We all live extremely busy lives and we sometimes take things for granted. We forget to “respect” what we should be respecting the most and that is respect for your loved ones, say “thank you” one more time to your loved ones, trust me, it’ll make a difference.

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If you would like to comment on this article or anything on this website, please feel free to e-mail Mo2. He can be reached at Mo2@Mo2Thinks.com. Thank you for visiting!