Respect
“R E S P E C T….find out what it means to me.” Aretha Franklin
That one word is lacking in many of the businesses and homes across the world. I am not sure why people do not show respect to one another, but I do believe that no business or home will endure without it.
I was in the airport recently and it was very crowded. Our plane, as well as several other flights were delayed because of weather. People were tired, grumpy, and anxious to just get home. As I sat in the waiting area, there was a young girl about 20 years old to my right. On the other side of her was an older man, around 50ish. Two middle age ladies sat directly across from us.
Everybody seemed focused on their phones (a sign of our times, I guess). The man two seats down suddenly raised his voice to a very loud level to the person he was speaking to on the phone. “You &%#@&!@ piece of &%@$! Get your head out of your &^%!!! You are just a &*(%#$@ +%&$%%#. That is totally unacceptable. If you need to learn how to be a marine, look at my son! You are WORTHLESS!!!
One lady sitting across from me looked at me wide-eyed and we just sat there stunned for a moment. Suddenly, the man stopped and said, “OK, I love you. Bye.”
Can you imagine the looks on the faces of everyone in the area? That was ridiculous.
In the words of Tina Turner, “What’s love got to do with it?”
Isn’t it sad that he had no respect for the person on the phone or the people in the airport? I am sure in his mind he felt totally justified with his tantrum. But when he said, “I love you,” that was the clinker. The jaws of everyone within earshot dropped simultaneously.
The lady across from me and I just started laughing at the absurdity of the moment.
Whether you are in business, in a family, or in a social setting like I was, learn to be courteous to others. Everyone needs to feel respected. Cut people some slack, and don’t take out the frustrations of life on those around you. With our tongues we either speak life or death. That is your choice.
I hope you choose life.
Shalom!
Dan Skognes