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The Dying Art of Respect


Respect, courtesy, manners, good-heartedness, chivalry...

Whatever you want to call it, there isn't a person out there who doesn't appreciate a little bit of it every now and again. And for good reason!

Respect is one of the best ways of showing someone you care. But yet for some reason, it’s becoming a dying art. Maybe I’m just over-analysing something trivial (I tend to do that) but nothing annoys me more than being polite and respectful to someone, and having that taken for granted.

In society today arrogance chokes the air, and the streets are crammed with dreary busy-bodies too rushed to take notice of the environment around them. We live in a frantic, filthy, jungle, where everybody reeks of their own self-worth and treats each other boredom and condescending disgust.

If you haven’t noticed what I’m talking about, think back a little… Maybe you’ve opened a door for a stranger and they storm through without even a hint of a glance in your direction - That's around four out of ten on my disrespectfulness scale. Or how about when someone bumps into you, and despite you apologising out of politeness, they throw some snide remark about watching where you're going. That's at least a six out of ten. I've even once broken off a fight in which one boy was getting pulverised by a group of bigger kids. After jumping in, pulling them apart and helping the poor guy up, I was kindly thanked by being pushed back down and screamed at for not needing help from a “stupid girl”. Well congratulations buddy, you scale at a full ten out of ten.

So what can we do to try and salvage this dying trade? Well, luckily for you folks I have a theory. It’s kind of like the butterfly effect – A simple smile at a stranger can automatically improve their day, and then hopefully the gesture will lead them to return the favour to someone else. By merely passing on acts of respect, we can start a trend of chivalrous and decent human beings in a kind-hearted and loving society.

It may sound like a naive, ideological dream but I truly believe if just a few of us make a little bit of an effort to be more respectful of the people around us, the chivalry will be sure to wear off on others too. And like the butterfly effect, just one simple action made by enough people can have a massive effect. So maybe you show a friend you are really interested in their opinion, or waving a friendly thank-you to the driver who stopped so you could cross the street, or making time to be courteous and helpful to a neighbour, or just simply throwing a few smiles at passers-by. Whatever you do, it’s sure to add a little brightness to somebody’s day, and won’t cost you a thing!

So try it! Make just the tiniest bit of extra effort into appreciating the people around you. It's a confidence booster and a gesture of goodwill and you can even get the benefit of feeling a little bit better about yourself. You wouldn't believe how much potential a little respect has to make someone's day.

Fly little butterflies, and spread some good to the world!

Thanks for reading, over and out.

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