Respect Is Reciprocal
Although respect is to be earned and not asked for. However, mutual interactions and social relationships demand we give respect to one another irrespective of age or capability. It is simply unveiling personal ethics and a sense of modesty.
What Goes Around Always Comes Around
No one likes being disrespected or disvalued; either publicly or privately, either personally or interpersonal, either morally or intellectually, either physically or mentally. Personal ethics and a sense of modesty indirectly reveal themselves when we show and give respect to everyone around us regardless of their status. We want to put ourselves in the objects’ positions and then decide if we would like to be treated or spoke to the same way because it will eventually happen. Time will bring that same scenario back and someone else will be in the subject case to make the justification. So, we want to always remember that what goes around always comes around and therefore treat one another respectfully. As prefaced, this includes both marital, social, and interpersonal relationships. A good husband is expected to treat his wife respectfully and vice-versa. Parents to respect their children as necessary and vice-versa. Employers are expected to treat their employees respectfully and vice-versa. Leaders are to respect their followers and vice-versa. Studies have shown it does not sound appropriate nor honorary to demand to be respected. It should come automatically. The little way we respect people no matter their status or capabilities means a lot on their side when most times, it isn’t obvious to us. I can then assure you that we would get back whatever we give out. Respect is Reciprocal.
Saying “Am Sorry!”
Many times, we want to value relationships more than being right or taken for granted. This does not justify our partner’s irrelevance excuses or absorb behaviors, it simply means we cannot afford to lose our relationship with them. That is a huge respect. Before you counter-argued (smile), I know some people sometimes display abnormal behaviors that do challenge our intelligence. However, you would agree with me that accepting people for who they are would create a better relationship than always reciprocating. I like how Gaur Gopal explains it — that if we want to maintain love among ourselves, sometimes we have to agree to be wrong even when we know we are absolutely right.
On the contrary, we all should not feel reluctant to say “am sorry” whenever necessary. This little phrase can solve years’ enmity and as well build better cordial relationships, especially in marriage. I know of a man who blew up almost all his country’s rail stations that yielded a large percentage of the country’s economy because the government refused to apologize for dismantling his father’s life. During his negotiation with the country’s spokesman, he said he doesn’t want any ransom or empowerment — all he wanted to hear is the phrase “am sorry” from the government. So, apologizing whenever we are wrong and crave to save relationships is a way of showing respect to oneself and the other person.
Using Salutations
The phrases “Sir/Ma’am/Madam/Ma…” many times mean respect. In fact, I love the way the military practicalizes this — you get back what you put out. Also, in the civilian world, we practice this means of respecting one another; many teachers to their students, interviewers to their interviewees, coaches to their trainees, and many more. Of course! This is a very great way to respect each other’s personality and integrity. However, oftentimes, the phrases are used without genuinely. Showing respect is something that should come from within and not just to make the object feel responded to. If such of these salutations are to be used at all, we want to use them like we really mean it. Remember, it is always reciprocal. I have not seen anyone who respects everyone around him irrespective of their status and does not get respected back without request. It is simply unveiling personal ethics and a sense of modesty. As much as we want to be the best at what we do, it is also very important to make everyone around us feel valued and included.
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