Do all older people deserve respect?

19 comments

1. Here’s an original copy of /u/bronzeeyed’s post (if available):

   For context, there are plenty of older people who are incompetent, abusive, lack manners and are not really pleasant to be around with. But whenever there is even a slight disagreement, these idiots beg for respect as if the world owes them. I think respecting only those who are “normal” and “rational” is the way to go. Some people just age and call it experience while not being able to handle simplest of tasks and the irony is these guys call young people entitled.

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2. No, absolute statements are silly.

3. In this day and age, getting old is no achievement. So no, they only get the respect they’ve earned.

4. Everyone deserves a human level of respect. But depending on how the person acts, regardless of their age, will dictate the type of respect I give back.

   I’ve met children who earned my respect through their politeness and maturity. And I’ve met many, many old people who still act like spoiled brats

5. I think every human deserves respect and dignity until proven otherwise.

6. Everyone deserves respect, including when you disagree with them.

   What nobody has a right to is deference simply for existing.

7. Respect is earned. You should treat everyone well, but that’s a different thing to respecting them

8. No. Should be polite to them. But if they’re cantankerous. Time for disrespect

9. All humans deserve respect.

   However I’ve noticed “respect your elders” can sometimes just be an alternative way to say “do not challenge me”.

10. This talk often comes up. Respect has different meanings. All people are to be respected somewhat as there is kind of respect that is a reflection of your own humanity. At some point if you really disregard other people you become less of a human yourself. Big kind of respect that you have for your loved ones or people that are important in your life, this you owe to nobody really.

    Also – is there a difference between respect in this case and politeness? Sometimes they mean the same thing an being polite is different for different cultures and different generations. So misunderstandings are bound to happen.

11. Im autistic alot of my community find it real hard to be normal. Not making eye contact is the famous one its a massive over simplification but short version some of us find it a big ask to do some things down as politeness. So normals a funny one.

    Now in terms of not being a prick or expecting standards from others your not willing to deliver fuck them if there like that they can shuffle off and die where over populated anyway.

    I also work in retail pricks might pick an argument then report to management. If where fired maybe we don’t get to eat.

    If a Karen like this of any age dousnt get to eat they won’t tragically die of starvation but the world might be that little bit brighter in a week or two. There not unhappy with the stakes there only unhappy if they end up rolling a 1.

12. No. Some people have done horrendous things and are beneath contempt, so deserve no respect. Age is irrelevant. Respect is earned.

13. Everyone has to earn respect 

14. No respect has to be earned – you certainly don’t deserve it purely for being old.

15. People do not automatically deserve respect for being old.

    Humans do all deserve some respect, the rest has to be earned.

16. If they are an idiot as an elder there were an idiot as a youth. Outside of basic human respect no

17. Nobody deserves respect by default. Respect has to be earned. Everyone deserves the chance to earn that respect though.

18. No, respect is earned not assumed.

19. Your starting point for anyone you meet should be respect unless they give you a reason to behave otherwise