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I think the term “Respect your elders” is idiotic: Change my mind.

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  • 17 votes
IamStarstuff 4 Apr 22
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20 comments

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0

Like someone said, I respect everyone at first meeting. They earn more or less as I get to know them. It is a loss of respect for each other that has turned Houston (and other places) into an insane pit of cruel drivers and massive car wrecks. Have to admit it keeps me on my toes!

2

Respect is the default setting regardless of age, heinous fuckery destroys it though.

That's a better & kinder policy IMO.
I do have a serious case of "grandparent syndrome" I have to watch out for.

4

My dad (the fall down drunken drug addict) told me one time 'Thou shalt honor thy Father'. I told him I'd honor that which was honorable.

3

I give everyone a minimum amount of respect when I first meet them. And then once they've opened their mouth, that goes up or down accordingly

1

That saying is "more than idiotic". I know several old ladies (80s and 90s) whose arrogance and bad manners make them repulsive. I don't respect age but behavior.

1

I ama senior, and you get what you earn, period. Incidentally, I am president, 4th term, of a social club for over-55's.

Are you those cute RED hat ladies?❣?

1

Respect should be earned and proven by the amount of impact one has compared to the others, not just counting useless years.

2

Sometimes labels can be informative. The term "seniors" is aproriate in terms of social ranking in some situations. Unfortunatly their senority is acknowledged ass backwardly (is that a word?) We discount their experience, wisdom and informed opinions. On the other hand, Seniors are usually better off than say a young single parent, but who gets a discount at Mc Donalds. Once again it's ass backwards.

4

There are varying degrees of respect.
In order to give respect one must first respect oneself.
How can one give what one does not have?
My daughter is wise.
She believes:
Every being deserves an initial amount of respect.
Anything beyond that, MUST BE EARNED.
I tend to agree.

Emme Level 7 Apr 22, 2018

I love the first half of this comment. The second half I disagree with slightly. I am courteous to everyone, but they would earn or lose respect based on assessing their character and wisdom. I respect myself very much and would say I can give respect where it’s deserved, but your age means nothing. I know people who are young and are wiser beyond their years and more old people who are rude and ignorant. I respect those who deserve respect period.

1

Respect thier wisdom, not necessarily anything else !

And who says ALL elderly posses wisdom?
There is an older lady (91) in my CC who treats the cleaning lady with total lack of respect because the young woman is Latina.
The old bag -Irish- approached the CC's president (a black lady) and said to her "In Ireland we don't have blacks."....This old bag is not only a piece of junk but a very ignorant one as well.

@DUCHESSA I never said all. She might or might not have the wisdom, maybe she does not realise what wisdom shd has but does not use it. Maybe she is just cranky like I am sometimes. Never the less wisdom must and should be respected !

@VAL3941 Dear, if she had any wisdom she would not act like an idiot. No, she doesn't deserve any respect from me.

@DUCHESSA Then don't respect her, that is your choice but at 91 she must have some wisdom she choses not to utilise ?

@VAL3941 I think you are mixing experience with common sense. No, she belongs to the category "Once an idiot always an idiot."

@DUCHESSA OK ! We agree to disagree. Don't want to fight with you, had enough with my ex thank you.

@VAL3941 When a person lacks arguments...giving up is the best way to escape a debate.

@DUCHESSA This was never a debate but so be it if it makes you happy ?

@VAL3941 Call it whatever you want....but you lack arguments to continue "chatting".

@DUCHESSA When it comes to people you can't say " all" about any group. .In the context of the original question it sounds like your saying not to respect seniors because the 93 year old has been deemed an "idiot", an old bag and worst of all shes fucking irish. So ipso facto all seniors are disqualified? . If not then why are you ragging on her here? Besides. there are two groups of people to whom I give a certain amount of unearned deference and respect, babies and seniors. That's why I wouldn't judge that lady by the same standards as I would judge you. At 93 odds are her hubby's croaked.and money can't make you happy.You can't know what she has been through. How she's been hurt. What she has lost. If you could find some empathy in your heart it will cause you to respect her. It's a hand in hand thing. All you have too loose is your anger. One more thing. What is wrong with her comment to the black guy. Also, why do I know he is black and she is irish?

@Casey07 Thank you, I could not of said it better, but seems as if I have been blocked by her. So be it !

@VAL3941 Your welcome.

2

generally, I will but not if older people are rude. ill talk to anyone who talks me properly. respect is earned but anyone can earn it.

5

I show respect to everyone, initially, until it becomes evident that they don't deserve respect. I don't feel respect for someone until they earn it or it becomes evident that they deserve it.

Deb57 Level 8 Apr 22, 2018
1

Respect is earned, no matter what their age in relation to mine. There are some elders who should/have respected ME!

1

Respect should be given from both sides evenly.

3

Age does not earn my respect automatically. My son didn’t even get to live 20 years. Those who are older than he was already got more time. They still have to answer for who they are. Age means absolutely nothing. I judge the person, not the time they have lived. Granted, wisdom comes with age. It’s not enough, though.

2

The term respect your elders does not refer to every human being older than you. It refers to those who endoctrined you into the tribe or clan or religion etc. The teachers or mentors or buddahs or zen masters. So yeah, respect your elders. Just keep in mind your elders may be very different than anothers.

2

I Respect everyone... I Said Everyone... Specially the Elder BECAUSE THERE IS NO GUARANTEE I LIVE TO BE THEIR AGE! But is your Elders that Failed you in Not making you a Respectful Individual. 'Sorry of your Poor Upbringing.

1

I was raised on this BS, I tend to take more notice of younger people, they know more.

3

Life is hard (for most) and the older you get the more tragedies one witnesses, experiences and has to overcome. Your elders deserve some courtesy and respect. They have been through more than you can imagine.

2

Any respect out of compulsion via political leanings, age, authority, tradition should be discouraged.

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