R-E-S-P-E-C-T...NOT!!!!!

There are some things in life I guess I just don't get. Disrespect is one of them. When I was growing up, if my dad  or a coach ever heard me respond with anything but 'yes, ma'am' or 'no sir' to an adult it would be to my undoing.  Or should I say my rear end's undoing?

Respect meant holding doors open for people, especially women, when entering a building.  It meant being respectful of people's property.  So if I broke something, I replaced it. Why? Out of respect for that person.

Today I don't get this 'new' form of respect. I guess that's what you call it. I call it D-I-S-R-E-S-P-E-C-T. It's called not returning phone calls and emails.

Now I'm not talking about phone calls from solicitors or emails from people you don't know.  I'm talking about phone calls and emails you have sent to individuals you truly respect as friends, business colleagues, or other close acquaintances you have. Maybe it's just me? Maybe I'm too sensitive? Maybe I hold relationships with individuals in higher regard than they do for me? But if I send you an email or call and leave a message, return it. Even if it's with an "I don't like you...I don't respect you...Leave me alone...I don't like men who murder ducks" response.  Whatever.  Just respond!  If I have considered you close enough and worthy of my respect as a friend, colleague or close acquaintance to take my time to contact you, you're important to me!

Oh sure I can think of a thousand reasons to not return phone calls or emails. "I'm busy...I don't have time to return that email because I'm the president of the company...I'm the Director of Trash Pick-Up...I'm a mom with 14 kids" are all good reasons. I understand some days are really busy and returning even a brief phone call or quick email will literally sink the Titanic. Understood. But if a person is that busy, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, I think not returning emails or phone calls falls into the category of D-I-S-R-E-S-P-E-C-T.

Call me old fashioned. Call me overly sensitive. Call me whatever you want.  Just call me.  I want to  encourage you to treat other people the way you want to be treated.

If this causes you angst, good. Do something different. If this blog applies to someone you know, send it to them with something like, "Hey, thought you might like this blog post!"  :)

If I haven't returned an email or phone call to you, I'm sorry.  I meant no disrespect.  It's probably in some spam filter or lost in cyberspace.  Call me or email me again.  I will be respectful and respond.

Whew, glad I got that off my chest....

rb

Posted on Tuesday, February 24, 2009 by Ron Beasley filed under

7 comments (Add your own)

1. Brett Denton wrote:
Out of my great respect for you, I am acknowledging that I read this email.

Best regards! Brett

February 24, 2009 @ 11:20 AM

2. Dr. Ron wrote:
You make me laugh since this obviously does not apply to you. Appreciate your RESPECT because that's the kind of integrity you have.

February 24, 2009 @ 1:43 PM

3. Juanita wrote:
So who did not return your phone call? Should I try to track him down?

Wish the rest of the world treated people as they want to be treated and it would be a much nicer world in which to live.

Have a great day now that your chest is much lighter...

February 24, 2009 @ 2:20 PM

4. Dr. Ron wrote:
You sound like my daughter, "who made you mad?" Or as friends of mine have asked, "who pee-peed in your Wheaties?" Not one person but for some reason it seems this has become epidemic or am I the only one? If I'm the only one who is experiencing this, I'm way off.

February 24, 2009 @ 3:32 PM

5. Trudy wrote:
My 4 year old son said "Thank you Sir" when a gentleman opened the door to let us thru. People in the room stood there in awe with their mouths open.
What has happened to our society that people are shocked when they see manners!
Have a great day Ron.

February 26, 2009 @ 3:15 PM

6. Dr. Ron wrote:
You're doing a good job mom.

February 27, 2009 @ 12:54 PM

7. Betty Roberts wrote:
You are right on the money! Respect or disrespect begins at home. Children learn how to respect or disrespect people from adults. Furthermore, the entertainment business and other media promote disrespect.

I am full agreement when you stated that if you take the time to call or email someone, that out of respect the call or email should be returned even if the answer is not what you want to hear. This is an old issue, especially when dating. Today, people are viewed as disposable and unworthy of respect by taking the cowardly approach by not returning phone calls or emails--even if the answer is "Thanks but no thanks."

I work in a high ranking military community overseas where there is disrespectis rampant towards teachers and other employees who provide needed services by sponsors, spouses and their empowered spoiled children. Even though a significant number of these high ranking officers are service academy graduates, too many of them and their family members behave like "white trash" because they lack respect towards those they view as beneath them even though their services are needed in miitary community.

I have had "the talk" with my college age son about the importance of respect. I have discussed the importance of being respectful towards women, returning emails and phone calls, keeping in touch with people who have supported him over a long period of time and conflict resolution skills when confronted by disrespectful people, etc.

Great article!

March 7, 2009 @ 5:28 AM

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