Respect should be earned not demanded.

In the last week I encountered an altercation with a older person than me. And the first thing he said was that I should respect him because his older. And I normally would do that, until a person disrespects me.

At a young age I realized that people older than you would disrespect you but would demand respect in return, which I then decided I am not gonna do, because I'm still human, I still have feelings and If you can't respect me, then why should I respect you?

Now people that know me, knows that I had to fight for myself from a very young age. And if I did not stand up for myself, who is? This created in me a very different character than most. Because we grew up poor, people will look down on us and treat us bad just because they think they have the right to do so. And it was in the year when I turned 15 that I decided no more. I don't care who or what you are, if you don't respect me, I will not respect you.

For me respect is something to be earned, just like trust. It does not give you the right because your older, your a male, you have a big title, you have money and the list goes on and on, that I Must respect you. Respect is earned, you treat me with respect and I will treat you with respect. And this goes for all aspects of my life, you treat me kindly, I will treat you kindly.

So many people out there in the world are treated less than human just because they have less than the next, or because their title is not big enough or just because they are male. Respect should be earned not demanded.

A lot of people out there may disagree or agree, give me your thoughts.