Respect

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Tony.Williams
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Respect

Post by Tony.Williams »

I see that knife crime in London is up again, for all of the usual stupid testosterone-driven reasons involving "disrespect".

It reminded me of this:
Why should I respect you?
What have you done, that I should respect you?
Have you won some award, which needed much work and skill?
Have you written a book, a poem, a song?
Have you made things with your hands – a painting, a sculpture?
Can you mend things, and make them work again?
Can you play a piano, a guitar, a trumpet?
Are you an athlete, a sports star?
Have you helped others, made the world a better place in some way?
If none of these things, then why should I respect you?
Because you will hurt me if I disrespect you?
But fear brings hatred, anger, disgust,
Fear is the very opposite of respect,
So why should I respect you?
chaggle
Posts: 2801
Joined: Mon Oct 26, 2015 10:01 am

Re: Respect

Post by chaggle »

That made me look the word up...
1.
admire (someone or something) deeply, as a result of their abilities, qualities, or achievements.
"she was respected by everyone she worked with"

2.
have due regard for (someone's feelings, wishes, or rights).
"I respected his views"
Your lines address the first of those meanings but not so much the second.

However it's possible that the people demanding this 'respect' might largely be oblivious to the subtleties of its meanings
Don't blame me - I voted remain :con
Tony.Williams
Posts: 1317
Joined: Mon Jul 25, 2016 8:05 am
Location: Still somewhere in England
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Re: Respect

Post by Tony.Williams »

A fair point. I would generally put the second meaning under "politeness".
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