RESPECT...

Respect

I love fruits. I feel refreshed anytime I take fruits. Sometimes I take apples, other times I take oranges, pineapple or bananas – In no particular order really. A couple of days ago I stopped by a fruit shop on my way home, to buy bananas. The bunch that caught my eyes looked really attractive such that I had already pictured myself munching it down with fresh fried groundnuts, while catching up with Nigeria’s political drama on TV – perfect evening. I had looked to buy banana the day before but couldn’t find any. With a broad smile on my face and in Pidgin English I gently asked the seller ‘Madam how much?’ To my uttermost surprise, she ignored me for minutes until after I had asked for the third time. She then muttered an outrageous amount and added Banana don cost’, walking in and out of her shop. Clearly, she was convinced she was doing me a favour by giving me the privilege to buy a bunch of banana! Fast forward a few hours later, I was home, alone devastated without banana. Her attitude was quite rude and disrespectful. I couldn’t stop thinking why a business person would show such disrespect to customers. Anyway, enough of the woman and her boring banana.

I think that respecting others is an attitude, meaning we don’t expect the other person to be rude, harmful, distrustful or disgusting. Respecting others is simply respecting ones self. It is to see ones self in the other person. Respecting others is a silent way to express our feeling for them. It’s an unspoken way of communication which build unshaken and strong relations between people respecting each other.

When a person shows respect for someone, then it means that the person has some value for him. Right?

Imagine a world without respect. Think about what it would look like if we all do not have respect for others, their views and thinking. Certainly we will stop tolerating each other completely and will become absolutely selfish in our thoughts and deeds. In short if respect is taken out of human values then there is almost no difference between a human being and an animal , other than physical appearances.

Again, understanding people’s beliefs allows us as human beings, to communicate and share ideas with each other. If we respect other people, we will gain respect back. Because the world is caught up in stereotypes, we assume wrong things all the time. If we really took the time to understand and respect, we might make a better world. Treating people with respect makes the world a nicer place to live in, whether it’s at home, at school, at a fruit shop or  in our community. And it’s easy – all you have to do is treat people the way you like to have them treat you.

Imagine if we do not insult people or make fun of them.
Imagine if we listen to others when they speak.
Imagine if we Value other people’s opinions.
Imagine if we do not talk about people behind their backs.
Imagine if we are sensitive to other people’s feelings.
Imagine if we do not pressure people to do something they do not want to do.

We live in a diverse nation made up of different cultures, languages, and backgrounds. That kind of variety can make all our lives a lot more interesting, but only if we get along with each other. And to do that we have to respect each other – And this is why I respect you.