Respect
Yes, there is a song about it. I have read countless articles and blogs about it. I have heard and preached sermons on it and even read books about it. Respect. So why another blog on a dull topic? Because somewhere our society has dropped the ball. Somehow, somewhere, a generation has danced through life without knowing how to show respect or what it even means.
A couple of examples. I have taught my son, and I practice it as well, to hold the door open for people in a public place if they were entering or leaving behind you. Especially older people or mom's with children, etc. To me that is respect and mannerly. This past week I was walking toward a store and I saw an elderly man with a cane headed to the door as well. I sped up a little (I don't have high gear) so that I could open the door and hold it open for the gentleman. Just before I got to the door, 2 teenagers just about knocked that man down and ran into me so that they could beat the "old dude and fat guy" in the store. Well, I helped the gentleman in the store, then did my shopping. Imagine these little crumbmuncher's surprise when just ahead of them in line was the "fat guy." Just behind them was the "old dude". They were trapped. They didn't want to look at me, but I whistled and sang and they couldn't resist. I said, "howdy boys," to which they didn't even respond. They were in a hurry! But little did they know that this "fat guy" had a couple of coupons, a pocket full of change and all the time in the world. They had a can of Monster and pack of some type of cards that you play a game with, Magic or something along those lines. I had several small items and was going to use my coupons and count out change for as long as I could. Their lack of respect probably cost them a lot more time in that store than they ever dreamed imaginable.
Some people don't know what respect even means these days. I was at an eating establishment not too long ago with a couple of my co-workers. The waitress was a pleasant young lady who was very good at her job. Now, I was taught to be polite and show respect when I was growing up. Part of that meant looking people in the eye when you talked to them, greet them in a proper fashion which might include a handshake or a hug and addressing them in a respectful tone with a proper moniker. When this young lady asked me several questions throughout the course of the meal, I responded with "Yes mam." That is what I was taught. I didn't know her name. If she had worn one of those name tags I might have been able to address her differently. Yes, she was very much younger than I am, but still, it was a sign of respect that I had learned at a very young age. Finally, she asked me if the meal was "ok" to which I replied (as I had several times already), "yes mam." She looked at me and said, "Do I look like a mam to you?" I thought this a strange question and quite bold of her actually and I said, "Yes mam, you certainly don't look like a sir, I noticed that when you first took our order." She was offended that I called her mam. I explained to her that it was a sign of respect in my culture but she was quite offended. She told me in a very snippy tone and flighty attitude that I should call her, and I quote "Britnie, one t ends in i e" I said "OK Britnie, my name is Tim, one T and ends in i m. And your tip was once a paper portrait of Abe Lincoln, now it shall be a copper rendering of his face." She didn't get it, and I didn't care. I did leave her the 5 because she did a good job.
Respect. How about we try it ourselves and teach it to others. I have been called many things. "Sir" does not offend me. I address every coach I ever played for or interviewed on the radio to this day as "Coach" It is the most respectful name I can call them. I don't mind waiting in line on that lady who still writes checks. I am OK with holding the door open for a lady who may or may not need me to and 17 other people come in right behind her. I do appreciate a "thank you" from them. I respect my fellow humans on this planet. I do my best not to be disrespectful at all times. But there are some times my smart aleckness takes over and I make a mistake in the area of respect. And when that happens I do my best to recognize and reverse it with a show of respect called apologizing (something else we aren't very good at).
Show respect. Peter wrote in his first letter, "Respect everyone, and love your Christian brothers and sisters. Fear God, and respect the king." Pretty good advice.
A couple of examples. I have taught my son, and I practice it as well, to hold the door open for people in a public place if they were entering or leaving behind you. Especially older people or mom's with children, etc. To me that is respect and mannerly. This past week I was walking toward a store and I saw an elderly man with a cane headed to the door as well. I sped up a little (I don't have high gear) so that I could open the door and hold it open for the gentleman. Just before I got to the door, 2 teenagers just about knocked that man down and ran into me so that they could beat the "old dude and fat guy" in the store. Well, I helped the gentleman in the store, then did my shopping. Imagine these little crumbmuncher's surprise when just ahead of them in line was the "fat guy." Just behind them was the "old dude". They were trapped. They didn't want to look at me, but I whistled and sang and they couldn't resist. I said, "howdy boys," to which they didn't even respond. They were in a hurry! But little did they know that this "fat guy" had a couple of coupons, a pocket full of change and all the time in the world. They had a can of Monster and pack of some type of cards that you play a game with, Magic or something along those lines. I had several small items and was going to use my coupons and count out change for as long as I could. Their lack of respect probably cost them a lot more time in that store than they ever dreamed imaginable.
Some people don't know what respect even means these days. I was at an eating establishment not too long ago with a couple of my co-workers. The waitress was a pleasant young lady who was very good at her job. Now, I was taught to be polite and show respect when I was growing up. Part of that meant looking people in the eye when you talked to them, greet them in a proper fashion which might include a handshake or a hug and addressing them in a respectful tone with a proper moniker. When this young lady asked me several questions throughout the course of the meal, I responded with "Yes mam." That is what I was taught. I didn't know her name. If she had worn one of those name tags I might have been able to address her differently. Yes, she was very much younger than I am, but still, it was a sign of respect that I had learned at a very young age. Finally, she asked me if the meal was "ok" to which I replied (as I had several times already), "yes mam." She looked at me and said, "Do I look like a mam to you?" I thought this a strange question and quite bold of her actually and I said, "Yes mam, you certainly don't look like a sir, I noticed that when you first took our order." She was offended that I called her mam. I explained to her that it was a sign of respect in my culture but she was quite offended. She told me in a very snippy tone and flighty attitude that I should call her, and I quote "Britnie, one t ends in i e" I said "OK Britnie, my name is Tim, one T and ends in i m. And your tip was once a paper portrait of Abe Lincoln, now it shall be a copper rendering of his face." She didn't get it, and I didn't care. I did leave her the 5 because she did a good job.
Respect. How about we try it ourselves and teach it to others. I have been called many things. "Sir" does not offend me. I address every coach I ever played for or interviewed on the radio to this day as "Coach" It is the most respectful name I can call them. I don't mind waiting in line on that lady who still writes checks. I am OK with holding the door open for a lady who may or may not need me to and 17 other people come in right behind her. I do appreciate a "thank you" from them. I respect my fellow humans on this planet. I do my best not to be disrespectful at all times. But there are some times my smart aleckness takes over and I make a mistake in the area of respect. And when that happens I do my best to recognize and reverse it with a show of respect called apologizing (something else we aren't very good at).
Show respect. Peter wrote in his first letter, "Respect everyone, and love your Christian brothers and sisters. Fear God, and respect the king." Pretty good advice.
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