From Awareness Builder 101: Chapter 15

15. Respect

 

More than 10 kilometres up in the air. In a huge bird. Unless you’re a smart ass engineer you just can’t figure out how this impressive Boeing 777-200 is ever able to lift off. Hundreds of people get on board. I’m just one of them. After working for a few days in Seoul, South Korea, I’m heading back home. A long journey with two flights and several hours of driving home before I’ll finally, way after midnight, be able to wrap myself around my loved one. Feeling her skin against mine, her warm body against mine. Safely home, in the comfort of my own house surrounded by love. Whether it be a partner, pets, the furniture, home and comfort is what we long for, pretty sure that’s one thing all passengers have in common.

 

We’re flying through time zones, crossing huge countries like China and Russia before we’ll be landing in Paris after more than 11 hours of flying. Another thing all people on board during this long flight share, is a desire for comfort, for being treated like an appreciated guest. On this flight I’m one of the lucky ones. After a long time of collecting miles and adding an acceptable amount, I could upgrade to business class. An unknown luxury to me and I’m enjoying myself like a little child.

 

Until…. I see how some of the fellow ‘lucky ones’ are responding to the crew. The flight attendants who are doing their very, very best to treat us like royals. OK, I know it’s their job but come on, they are human beings like you and me. They too are looking forward to the moment they’re opening their front door and wrap themselves around a loved one.

 

And one of the things all the people I’ve met have in common, is the desire to be respected. Whether it’s the beggar in the street, hotel staff, the waiter or waitress, the taxi driver or the flight attendant, they all have a deeply rooted desire to be respected.

Who the fuck (yes, happy to not have an editor!) do we think we are to treat the people who’re serving us like shit! Why do we treat them less, or even slightly different than for instance the boys and girls wearing fancy clothes whilst in their CEO-roles? Why do we think we can ask things above and beyond reason from flight attendants, from anyone serving us? Just because we’re paying? Sorry, it just pisses me off!

Respect is born in seeing every human being as equal. No matter role or position. We’re all born naked, we’ll all die alone. To make the journey in between these moments more pleasant, let’s remember we are all just human beings with a desire to be respected.

 

My definition of respect is ‘treat everyone as you want to be treated’. If you want to be treated like royals, treat those who serve you like royals. If you want to be treated like shit…..you got the picture.

 

 

Journaling questions for this chapter:

 

What’s my definition of respect?

 

Where do I allow or tolerate disrespect?

 

Where do I catch myself treating others not that respectful?

 

 

© 2024. Alex Verlek, Coaching Works International.

 

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