Respect

Today, I saw an older man in the pharmacy. He reminded me of my grandfather. He was dressed in pants, a button down shirt, a vest, a jacket and a cap. My grandfather use to dress that way. He was not American (also like my grandfather), but spoke to the woman helping him with such courtesy and respect. It turns out the pharmacist didn't have his perscaription. Instead of yelling, he just spoke to her calmly and with respect. When he went to leave, he shook her hand and thanked her for her time.

It reminded me of my grandfather. He always told me that we live in society and need to think of others and treat others with respect. He belived in modesty and treating everyone with courtesy. My grandparents and parents taught me to hold doors, say "Bless You" when someone sneezes- even a stranger, always look to see if I could help somone, etc...

I think THAT is what we are losing in society these days. People don't think about how their actions affect others. We have become a culture that think of ourselves first, and others second. I

I don't know when it happened, or how it started- and it seems to be universal. But that respect for one another- and respect for ourselves- seems to be lacking in society these days.

Re: Respect

sooo true. I think of this often since I teach in an elementary school and I see how little respect kids have these days.

Your grandfather sounded like an awesome person.

Message edited 4/27/2008 9:23:08 PM.

Re: Respect

That was such a nice story to hear. People are so rude today and it drives me up a wall. I love the older generation and how they treat others.

Re: Respect

I agree with you and talk about this all the time. It really makes me sad. I remember when I was in college, I would witness other students talking back to the professor and it would make me and . DH is a high school teacher and the stories he tells me of how these children talk to him or other teachers drives me crazy. It seems like some people don't bother teaching the value of respect anymore to their kids. It is terrible that society as whole seems to have changed from what it was years ago.

Re: Respect

i love wise older people like that. They were certainly of a different generation. They understood what hard work and sacrifices meant.

Re: Respect

Just got chills.... sounded like my grandfather too

Re: Respect

ITA i think people dont make this a priority to teach their children about these things

Re: Respect

I think it has a lot to do with how we raise our kids these days. Kid's are being raised by other people at younger and younger ages due to both parents having to work to survive. Speaking of your grandfather. Chances are he worked an average job, had 6 kids, Mom stayed home raising the kids, and there was still enough money to go to a ballgame or vacation every year.

I think what kids are missing these days more then anything are their mother's. Not that its their fault. Nowadays you have no choice

Re: Respect

Re: Respect

Let's see if I can say this correctly...I have always been told how extremely polite and courteous my girls are..what good manners they have etc. As a mom I love hearing this..it let's me feel like a great mom..but Im always puzzled by these comments. Arent other kids being taught to be polite??? When I met my DH my girls were 5,5,&10. It was one of the first things DH said after he had met them. He's a teacher and he said that I'd be surprised how few children these days are taught good manners as well as respect for their elders.

Re: Respect

Re: Respect

Re: Respect

Reminds me of my father... people seem to forget that common courtesy goes a LONG long way

Re: Respect

Re: Respect

Re: Respect

ITA. Manners are not the norm these days, and an overwhelming sense of entitlement as the expense of others has replaced it. I think that society is regressing

Re: Respect

NEW Re: Respect



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Posted by tommy2

I think it has a lot to do with how we raise our kids these days. Kid's are being raised by other people at younger and younger ages due to both parents having to work to survive. Speaking of your grandfather. Chances are he worked an average job, had 6 kids, Mom stayed home raising the kids, and there was still enough money to go to a ballgame or vacation every year.

I think what kids are missing these days more then anything are their mother's. Not that its their fault. Nowadays you have no choice
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



While I agree that kids have no respect, I do not think its because of kids being put in day care at a young age.
What you are essentially saying is that if a mom is not a SAHM, then her kids will be rude and disprespectful?

Kids are not learning only from their parents but from tv, movies, video games - and from other kids.
And something else - if you talk to any generation, they would tell you that kids at anytime didn't have respect for their elders or anyone else. There was a song from "Bye-bye Birdie," called "Kids" and its all about how disrespectful kids are. So I don't think its fair to blame working parents for disrespectful kids.
I think a lot of it is society in general. We are living in a "me, me, me" society. But I have to say that I see more polite and courteous people than I do rude and disrespectful people.

_______________________________--




True while SAHM are not perfect either. I think its people's busy lifestyles that neglect their kids in some sort of fashion. People are to busy to monitor what their watching on TV or playing on a game console. And i completely disagree with your statement on how kids in any generation were disrespectful. While any generation could find complaints about the children in their time, its no where remotely close to the complaints about today's children. think about when you were a chilld and ask yourself if kids were more or less disrespectful

Re: Respect

Posted by beautyq115

Just got chills.... sounded like my grandfather too

Re: Respect

I always wish it was like back in the old days

Now that guy would just have to deal with a stupid teenager on his/her cell phone who couldnt be bothered

Re: Respect

As a parent, I think our parenting styles are a big part of it. the emphasis now a days is on nurturing and not discipline.

My parents were raised to fear their parents. You could get spanked. I know my dad told me his biggest fear growing up was being spanked by his mom. She had no mercy. But my dad grew up having a wonderful, loving relationship hwith his parents.

In our generation, we are so nurturing, that we raise our children with such a sense of ego at such a young age. We applaud our kids for the smallest things, while they have little fear of us. What can we do? And IMO, that is where the start of the me, me, me society begins.

For me, my parents were raised by European parents who used physical discilpine. My dad wanted to, my mom refused. But even without that threat, I wanted to EARN my praents good favor. I was afraid of my babysitter giving my parents a bad report.

I think now there is more of an emphasis on discipline with shows like Supernanny and such that shows what your kids can be like if they aren't disciplined. DH and I watch it like

Re: Respect

Re: Respect

I think children stay the same, its society that changes. I think it completely unfair to blame working moms or busy parents on the attitudes of some kids. I am not saying that kids are not disrespectful, but I think it has nothing to do with whether or not a mom works or stays home.


________________________________



Exactly society is changing. People are a lot busier. And it is a reflection on how moral or respectful our children have become, or are becoming. And again, as a whole, meaning MAJORITY kids are definately getting less and less respectful.


Im not saying if you work your a bad parent. Im saying its a lot harder these days to be a good one.

Message edited 4/28/2008 10:41:28 AM.

Re: Respect

________________________________

Message edited 4/28/2008 10:41:53 AM.

Re: Respect

Come to my high school, and you will see kids are getting more and more DISRESCTFUL

________________________________




Exactly

Re: Respect

ITA!! Great story!

It amazes me how many people scowl at me like they're grossed out if I sneeze. It's not like I don't cover my mouth! I always say "Bless You!"

I also always hold doors for people- and if I'm not paying attention and I accidentally let the door close- I apologize. So many of these people don't even say thank you.

It's a shame.