Stop Saying "Respect Is Earned, Not Given"
Start writing a post

Stop Saying "Respect Is Earned, Not Given"

"Treat everyone you meet like it's their birthday, because you never know, it might be"

11837
Stop Saying "Respect Is Earned, Not Given"
Ingo Joseph

Hussein Nishah once said, "Respect is earned, not given," and people have been parroting this phrase ever since. Many applaud and embrace this quote but I find it deeply problematic.

The implication here seems to be that our default setting with everyone we meet is not respecting them. And it is only after they have proved their worthiness to us in some way that we respect them. What feat must someone perform to earn our respect? It is unclear. But I worry about the time between when you meet someone and when they have finally earned your respect and how you are treating them in this interval.

Let's say you're checking out at the grocery store. You don't know this cashier and they have done nothing for you except scan your groceries. Under the philosophy of this popular quote you don't owe the cashier respect because they haven't earned it. If we follow the "respect is earned, not given" idea we will end up treating every stranger we meet like garbage.

I propose a new mantra to replace the flawed one we have discussed: "Everyone deserves respect unless they have proved that they don't." Our default setting should be to respect every person we meet. Every single one. If you have zero information on a person, you should still respect them because they are a human and deserve human dignity.

To go back to the cashier from before, you may not know them but you can recognize that you're a person, and they're a person and you owe them the same respect that you would hope they would treat you with. And even if they may not be the friendliest, maybe they don't tell you to have a nice day, I would still encourage you to wish them a nice day.

To address the second half of our new mantra, I am in no way suggesting that you must respect everyone continuously regardless of their actions. If after getting to know a person you realize they are very cruel or bigoted, or they have demonstrated a lack of respect and understanding towards their fellow humans, you don't have to respect them.

However the great majority of people are not horrible people, so we should go ahead and assume people have some good in them and respect them. We are all part of one big community of humans, so treating every single person respectfully is a safe bet.

I will leave you with one final piece of advice. My mom always told me growing up "treat everyone you meet like it's their birthday because you never know it might be."

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
the beatles
Wikipedia Commons

For as long as I can remember, I have been listening to The Beatles. Every year, my mom would appropriately blast “Birthday” on anyone’s birthday. I knew all of the words to “Back In The U.S.S.R” by the time I was 5 (Even though I had no idea what or where the U.S.S.R was). I grew up with John, Paul, George, and Ringo instead Justin, JC, Joey, Chris and Lance (I had to google N*SYNC to remember their names). The highlight of my short life was Paul McCartney in concert twice. I’m not someone to “fangirl” but those days I fangirled hard. The music of The Beatles has gotten me through everything. Their songs have brought me more joy, peace, and comfort. I can listen to them in any situation and find what I need. Here are the best lyrics from The Beatles for every and any occasion.

Keep Reading...Show less
Being Invisible The Best Super Power

The best superpower ever? Being invisible of course. Imagine just being able to go from seen to unseen on a dime. Who wouldn't want to have the opportunity to be invisible? Superman and Batman have nothing on being invisible with their superhero abilities. Here are some things that you could do while being invisible, because being invisible can benefit your social life too.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

19 Lessons I'll Never Forget from Growing Up In a Small Town

There have been many lessons learned.

70843
houses under green sky
Photo by Alev Takil on Unsplash

Small towns certainly have their pros and cons. Many people who grow up in small towns find themselves counting the days until they get to escape their roots and plant new ones in bigger, "better" places. And that's fine. I'd be lying if I said I hadn't thought those same thoughts before too. We all have, but they say it's important to remember where you came from. When I think about where I come from, I can't help having an overwhelming feeling of gratitude for my roots. Being from a small town has taught me so many important lessons that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

Keep Reading...Show less
​a woman sitting at a table having a coffee
nappy.co

I can't say "thank you" enough to express how grateful I am for you coming into my life. You have made such a huge impact on my life. I would not be the person I am today without you and I know that you will keep inspiring me to become an even better version of myself.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

132442
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments