A Missing Virtue That Can Change The World.
“I never meet a ragged boy in the street without feeling that I may owe him a salute, for I know not what possibilities may be buttoned up under his coat” - James A. Garfield
Respect is one of the virtues I believe every human must possess, the importance of it can't be quantified because people who lack respect lack many other virtues. It's impossible to lack respect and claim to love or have compassion for others, it will definitely not happen. I have had encounters with very disrespectful people, they will downplay your efforts, look down on your ability and make people feel like they are worthless yet, they preach about love.
I ask the question, "How?" whenever a disrespectful person preaches about love because I don't seem to comprehend how people express any form of positive virtue without respecting others.
Among the things that inspire love or compassion is respect, take that away and a lot of other virtues will disappear. I won't deny the fact that people do things that make us lose respect for them and without respecting someone, I wonder how we can love them.
This isn't about relationships, respect should be a common virtue we should possess. I am the very respectful type and have learned a few lessons about life for being respectful, there are times when some people take advantage of it and all I do is move on because they practically don't deserve to be respected but regardless of what the situation may be, I don't stop respecting people who deserve it.
A woman once asked me why I always interacted with scavengers because there are lots of them in my neighbourhood and I told her respect is reciprocal. Looking down on them because of the kind of job they do is disrespectful and I wouldn't have respected them if they had chosen stealing.
These guys are very respectful, it is one of their ways of showing appreciation that you put something valuable to them in your trash. Whenever they greeted me, I took my time to reply and even cheer them.
It has been an ideology for me that every human deserves to be respected regardless of gender or age, except they have proven that they don't deserve respect and instead of disrespecting them in return, I just do away with them completely.
Some years ago, I went for a job interview through someone's connection. It was a small company that deals with interior designs, they do installation and sales of design material but I was applying for an office role. I got there and the secretary attended to me quite well. We were two who came for the interview, the other person was a lady and we even interacted before the test.
We got the test papers and got about an hour to work on them. At the end of the test, the other lady was discharged and I had to wait for the CEO. I waited patiently since she wasn't around and didn't return early.
She came back around 4 p.m and still didn't attend to me. I got tired of how she was screaming at her workers and took a stroll in the neighbourhood, this woman finally had time for me around 5 p.m. I got into her office and the way she looked at me was quite embarrassing. I wasn't expecting any special treatment but everyone deserves some respect.
"Good evening ma," I greeted and she just replied, "Seat down". I didn't like that but my feelings were pointless since I needed the job. She spoke to me rudely all through our conversation and finally told me that although I did well with the test but she couldn't offer me the position.
She offered me a field job with half the salary of the role I applied for initially. She downplayed my intelligence and went to faulting my CV, she did rubbish all through the interview. I got pissed and told her my mind because I can't work with someone who doesn't have a pinch of respect for someone you don't even know from Adam.
I was very respectful with how I replied her and took my leave after. She immediately called the person who referred me for the job and told him that she couldn't employ me because I was rude.
The person called me and said he knew she was lying because I worked with him for four years and never disrespected him or any member of his family throughout that time. He went on to tell me that I should have just endured the woman's attitude since I needed the job badly. I appreciated his advice but wouldn't settle to work with someone as disrespectful as that, it might mean nothing to people but it means a lot to me because I prioritize my mental health.
As I mentioned earlier, Respect should be a compulsory virtue for everyone. There are lots of benefits attached to being respectful and you can only realise it when you have it as a virtue.
The world is at a critical stage at the moment and lack of respect is one of the things that led us here. Tribalism, Racism, Gender Discrimination, Religious discrimination and others wouldn't have existed if we had respected one another beliefs or values. I wouldn't want to say things are damaged beyond repairs and we can go back to correcting our wrongs by respecting others.
I'm equally glad you didn't take that offer. It would have been the beginning of trouble for you. She was rude to others and you wouldn't be an exception especially because she was already trying to infringe/downplay on your intelligence and qualifications
That's right, she will do what she did to others and that will make me disrespectful as well which wouldn't make sense.
People don't just know how far respect goes. It's something that's not easily forgotten. Especially disrespect. Few people will notice when you're respectful, but the moment you're disrespectful everyone will know and it's going to be remembered for a long time and you could be judged because of it.
Good a thing you didn't take the job, because working with someone like that meant coping with such nasty attitude. Eventually you would have lost your cool and probably done something you'll regret.
You did well!!
You are right bro, being disrespected is not something people forget easily.
It's not a good habit and I immediately distance myself from disrespectful people. It's as simple as if I respect you, you should do the same to me as well.
Thanks for the visit bro.
Respect is indeed a good virtue that can help you in your dealings with people, because of this virtue you attain your goals swiftly through the help of people who found you respectful.
If you had taken that job, you wouldn't have lasted a day.
Being respectful paves the way for people in many instances and I have benefitted a lot from it.
Respect is something many people lack today, especially the youths. Many fail to understand how far being respectful can take them.
I agree with it and I know it's the right statement. I have seen many incidents which is enough to understand it.
As long as people don't do any wrong work, we should appreciate them and respect them. Who chooses to disrespect them, I prefer to say them they have a narrow-minded mentality.
I would love to stay unemployed rather than work under anyone who doesn't respect me even if I get a high salary. So, I think you have done the right thing.
In principle, we must have respect for ourselves, we must love ourselves and self-evaluate ourselves to discard bad behaviors and learn from our mistakes. We must treat people as equals, behave with good manners and education, and above all Valuing people, and not judging them.
One thing I observed is that most people that find themselves in a higher position than others tend to be disrespectful which is very bad.
The fact you didn't take the job and told her your mind shows how you value respect and I do know one day she would remember your words. She didn't consider her own actions rude but found fault when you corrected her.
This woman in your story didn't do well atall. Chai, I can imagine the level of her disrespect to someone she doesn't know. People do not think that the person you are disrespecting might be an angel to you tomorrow. It's a pity..if only the society can embrace respect to one another, the world will be a better place
Thanks for sharing
Respect is reciprocal and I have seen this happen in my life. I don't underrate that virtue because I know what it can bring to someone but this is something most people do not know. They choose to be rude and disrespectful, forgetting that the world is a small place where we can meet again. Who knows, he or she might be of help to you but when your attitude has ruined it all in the past, an opportunity is lost.
respect is reciprocal they say, it is really one virtue everyone must have