Respect is a two way street. Regardless of how much you want someone else to respect you, the secret is to respect them first. If they don’t take the bait you are better off moving on.

Respect is also not generally something that you can make assumptions on. Operating under the idea that someone else will respect you when the time comes is a great way to get screwed.

I am so guilty of assuming respect that I should be brandished King Assumptor of Respect. I’ve let myself get bitten by this over and over. It’s totally my fault! There is absolutely no excuse for it.

The balancing act is to exercise that respect at regular intervals for reasons based solely on principle while not seeming to be a zealot. It’s a practice that I have become a wanton advocate of. The problem is that people who were around before that epiphany aren’t quite used to it. They just don’t get it. They don’t get me. This leads them to treat me in ways that don’t make sense to me.

I’m O.K. with that though. It just serves to remind me not to allow that doppelganger into my abode again.

So henceforth, Dear Reader, assume yourself quite respected ’round these parts. I merely expect the same in return.

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Posted at : October 24th, 2005 - 1:36 pm
Filed under : General
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