"Respect your elders"
 

This maybe the wrong subject for me :D

Anyway I have been thinking (yes your heard it right :D) about how some older generations seem to end up in life wanting this 'entitlement of respect' from the younger folk.
It puzzled me for a while when I was a teen, should I just automatically respect anyone older than me simply out of 'tradition'?
It also puzzled me how folk could claim they're in someway better than me just because they've been alive a few extra years.
Yes, I get it, they've lived longer than the younger folk,they've got more life experience.But that simply does not give elder folk an innate right to belittle the younger generation (even if they do sometimes deserve it).

Now (believe it or not) I am all for respect for others (I know what some are thinking,stay with me ;)) but only when that person is showing me a similar amount.
Sometimes I just get tired of hearing the elder generation moan and complain about the younger generations and their lack of respect.

I feel that this innate sense that elders should be respected is coming to an end. It's not like it was 100 years ago when few folk lived past say 50 years of age and that meant that they'd earnt their respect , No I think respect is 'finally' coming to where is needs to be earned and not just expected (rightly so if you ask me).

Now, I'm not trying to start any arguments (this time), I believe this would be the wrong forum for that anyway due to its elder members, or hurt anyones sensitive feelings, I am just looking to have a dialogue on this topic and wondered what you folks feel about it.

Personally I'm one of those 'Respect has to be earned' kind of guys. People don't just get my respect because of some arbitrary number. If their age means they have done things I should respect them for,then surely the thing I should be respecting them for should stand on it's own (MPs service to the NHS for example) with no need to refer to their age, which isn't inherently deserving of respect.
In my experience the folk who usually 'demand' to be respected because of their age - tend to be (insert swear word) and not really worth my respect.

Re: "Respect your elders"
 

Some advice from a senior: quit thinking; it's not your strong point. Stay with shiite disturbing.

Re: "Respect your elders"
 

Thanks for the advice E :D

Re: "Respect your elders"
 

I do not expect respect from anyone.
Age alone is not a reason for respect.
However, I think that courtesy and kindness are the lubricants of social interaction.
They make life a lot smoother.
It costs nothing(in financial terms anyway) to be courteous.
We meet people on a daily basis and touch their lives.rarely do we know the difficulties that person is living through. Most people, even those who do a lot of moaning, will have private worries and anxieties which may colour how they are perceived.
So a kind word from us(or at least a word which is not calculated to be sharp and cutting) may make all the difference.
So, don't respect me for my age, because inside this old shell there is a nineteen year old wondering what the hell happened. Don't respect me for my past work.....it is gone. I did what I did to earn a crust. It isn't that relevant to who I am now.
If you must respect me, do it from how you find me to be right now.

Re: "Respect your elders"
 

This is not to say that I do not get 'heated' myself at times(some issues just do that to you)....just that I try to put my thoughts as clearly and politely as possible.
Once the personal insults start flying it means that the argument/discussion is lost.

Re: "Respect your elders"
 

who let the pratt in?

Re: "Respect your elders"
 

is that sang to the tune of who let the dogs out ? :D

i dont want respect

respect leads to expectations

expectations lead to dissapointment

dissapointment leads to me having to cook my own bloomin dinner

Re: "Respect your elders"
 

Shaz, you know you respect your elders :)
I have never had anything but respect from you!

Re: "Respect your elders"
 

I have always took the view Respect has to be earned, age is irrelevant.

Re: "Respect your elders"
 

Surely age is irrelevant, doesn`t everyone deserve respect until they do something that proves otherwise?

Re: "Respect your elders"
 

Posted same time, Great minds or Fools Seldom?:D

Re: "Respect your elders"
 

You pick.:)

Re: "Respect your elders"
 

I don't think this thread can stop at the respect for elders question, it is the general attitude of society in general. I am old school, and I still hold doors open for people, no specific age, and the only time I get a thank you is from people of my own age group (I am very old now ). So to me it is not an age issue, it is a time period issue, my informative years were surrounded by politeness and guidance in the correct way to behave. The number of times I have been down town and been passed by the "youth of today" shouting, swearing, and just generally absorbed in their own importance is un-countable.
But let us not forget today's generation is the generation we have created and passed the baton too............run for your life..........we are ALL DOOMED

Re: "Respect your elders"
 

I think we were all feverishly typing at the same time with roughly the same response. and if it helps I am foolish.

Re: "Respect your elders"
 

Firstly,I like what your saying,very noble indeed.
Secondly, thanks for your honest reply (not that I'd expect anything else) but i'm not one to erase a past lifetime of contributions just because someone's "shell" may be a little worn (I guess what I'm trying to say is Im not sure if someone's contributions to society become obsolete as they grow older).

Anyway,I'm glad your head is still a very reliable engine even if the shell is a little worn. ;)

Re: "Respect your elders"
 

Thanks for setting the bar Flashy,mind you don't trip over it on the way out :p

Re: "Respect your elders"
 

I agree,Cheers for letting me know where you stand C :)

Re: "Respect your elders"
 

Sure do gpick24,cheers :)

Re: "Respect your elders"
 

Just because you frequently have a wet gusset doesn't mean you are very old........if you keep on getting down in wet grass that is what happens(folk, I will let you draw your own conclusions there).
The fact that you can get down onto wet grass - and more importantly get up again, without the help of a JCB, gives lie to what you said.

I think you are right though, it is generational. Though to be fair, there have been some old folk that have been incredibly rude.
I have had my ankle barked with those wheeled shoppers more time than I care to count - and not always by grumpy women. Men have started using them too.
I will consider myself old when I resort to using a sholley. Please Lord....Never!

Re: "Respect your elders"
 

It's not the wet gusset that marks me as old, its the fact I can now get Dubbin on prescription, also now when I get down on wet grass people rush over and start to give me CPR, and its the authorities that help me up, and escort me from the premises, they get the hump if you do it in M&S.

I think the sholley brigade come into a different category, that's the "I am disabled" bracket, who think once they use a sholley they can use it like a Tank, and you have to put their grumpy attitude down to medication.

Another thing, I don't use the bus very much, but if there is a lady standing I give her my seat, but I think we have all observed kids sat on seats with older people standing.
Have to sign off now, going down town and have to oil the wheels on my sholley

Re: "Respect your elders"
 

No problem. I'ts free. And most of the time you don't even have to ask for it.;)

Re: "Respect your elders"
 

nooooo i wasnt calling you a pratt Marg, i was just wondering who let the wazzock in ;-)

Re: "Respect your elders"
 

I know Shaz...just joshing you!

Re: "Respect your elders"
 

When respect is lost, it is hard replaced. Something I am sure you need to keep in mind whilst upon this subject.

Re: "Respect your elders"
 

c'mon flashy. Be honest...as we all know you women secretly hate each other :D

Re: "Respect your elders"
 

No Rob......we don't.
Although we have never met, I think we would get on like a house on fire.

Re: "Respect your elders"
 

There are a lot of elders on here that I don't respect! :D

Re: "Respect your elders"
 

As cashy would say "yeh might be reght yon" :D

Are you suggesting being respectful takes more effort than I've recently been making because when it's gone (like I'm sure it is with some members) it's hard to get back ;)

Re: "Respect your elders"
 

Speaking of less,where is he? ;)

I thought he'd hacked Eric's account when I read the first reply, then I realised I'm just a (enter swear word) :)

Re: "Respect your elders"
 

I take it your another member who doesn't want to be in my Christmas card list :D

Re: "Respect your elders"
 

i think its just a theory anyway :)

Re: "Respect your elders"
 

Yes, it has to be just that..until we meet, and prove it to be fact.

Re: "Respect your elders"
 

And I'm sure those 'elders' sleep really badly knowing this.

Re: "Respect your elders"
 

My thoughts on this have been mainly covered by what other members have written, especially Margaret’s regarding courtesy, which to my way of thinking is akin to respect. Courtesy and good manners should be shown towards others, irrespective of age or gender and if they don’t respond or return this courtesy then it is their problem, no one else’s.

Certainly respect others for their achievements and for their endeavours - but this shouldn't be a right to be expected just because a person is of a certain age, respect has to be earned.

However, we should respect the rights of others (as long as they are legal and legitimate of course) – even if we don’t always agree with them, have regard for people and for their property, and to start with have some respect for ourselves – ‘cause if we don’t nobody else will.

Btw, I’m a few years older than you Margaret so I’m a 23 year old in an old shell wondering what the hell happened….and ain’t that the truth.

Re: "Respect your elders"
 

Dotti, I am glad there is someone else out there who looks in the mirror each morning and wonders who on earth it is staring back.
Just where did the time go?

Re: "Respect your elders"
 

Yeh only wonder were its gone if yeh care i reckon.;)

Re: "Respect your elders"
 

Well, I don't think I would wish it back.
I'm happy with where I am at.....but I just wish that old woman in the mirror would stop looking at me :)

Re: "Respect your elders"
 

When i look around at things today, I'm very happy at were i'm at.:) Plus i'm damn glad i got this far lol

Re: "Respect your elders"
 

Thank your lucky stars you don't see what I see every morning, I keep wondering why Freddy Kruger is looking out of my mirror, although I think I'm still young enough to do DIY as I once did my body says I'm not, planted 1/2 doz rows of peas this aft, and I was knackered for over 2 hours.

Re: "Respect your elders"
 

Oh, don't tell me it gets worse Retlaw!

Re: "Respect your elders"
 

My mum has always said she still feels eighteen (she's nearly 73) but it's her face that tells her different. Now I'm 48 I'm starting to get where she's coming from. I'm going to try a bit of velcro behind the ears for a non surgical face lift!:p

Re: "Respect your elders"
 

my mum and dad brought me up to respect my elders ... keep the doors open for those behind me, say please and thank you etc etc .. and I still do that today .. I don't expect a thank you back ... it would be nice ...but I very rarely get one.

Best was a couple of week ago .. I always say thank you when I get off the bus ... always wait for the driver to open the door and then i'll say thanks ... anyway im stood there waiting for him to open the door and driver says not even a thank you from you ... and I said when you open the door you'll get a thank you and not before .. anyway he opened the door and I said now you get your thank you as its the end of the journey ... oh and this driver was younger than me...

Re: "Respect your elders"
 

Yeh shoulda said NO but yeh can have a pish off.;) clever swine.

Re: "Respect your elders"
 

I just wish that the youngish woman in my bed would quit snoring;)

Re: "Respect your elders"
 

No ... not Less ... it is I. And I stand by the post (or lean on it when I'm in my cups):D And if you, or anyone else, believes that this thread has even the slightest smidgen of neutrality, you are being more than a little disingenuous.

Re: "Respect your elders"
 

Oh, the ravages of time. I had a studio portrait taken a few months after we arrived here many years ago (someone I worked with was having hers done so I went along for the ride). I was 23 at the time – that’s funny, I wonder if this had any connection with my comments earlier. The photo was framed and hung on the wall for years but it started to depress me when comments such as ‘what happened?’ were made more and more frequently along with comparisons as to before and after…..but not in a nice way. (Not much respect shown!).

I took the photo out of its frame and hid it away, but my youngest daughter dug it out and had it framed (again!) for a present for me – as she said she loved this photo. Was she trying to punish me for something?

Anyway there it stands in all its glory – while here I am avoiding mirrors.

(Maybe the hot Australian sun, 5 kids, the ups and downs of married life and oh! yes, old age, might have something to do with the wrinkles and ‘what happened’).

Re: "Respect your elders"
 

Hey Dotti dont bother its summat to be proud of yer portrait. sod the comments, we have a good friend in Spain who is in late 70s n she has a portfolio from when she was a model, she was absolutely stunning when she was young,shes still young at heart, but believe me thats all, it dont matter a stuff to us, we love her to bits.:);)

Re: "Respect your elders"
 

Pulp - Help The Aged: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_bZjKC0EaY0

Re: "Respect your elders"
 

Cashie you’re a gem!!!!! I have to say I did tell them to ‘sod off’ but maybe in a more ladylike fashion – or not! (I'm not much of a lady).

I agree - attitude is so important. There's some who are old before their time and then there's some of us who never grow up at all.....

Re: "Respect your elders"
 

Ain't that the truth ... and I'm happy to number myself among that "some.":dancedog: And just maybe there's some of us who prefer to grow in all dimensions and directions. "Up" is boring.;)

Re: "Respect your elders"
 

I could agree E, but that would make us both wrong...I think there's a smidgen neutrality to the thread ;)

MP was right about it being a family,just a shame for some it's like the worst table at a wedding :hidewall:

Re: "Respect your elders"
 

When we were kids we were reminded daily about manners and respect especially to older folk. Maybe some of the problem is our fault for not being there as much for our kids due to work, sports, more social activities etc. The world has changed so much and so fast in the past 50 years, priorities and, sadly, responsibilities have suffered. Who sets the standard for the youth of today? Unfortunately T.V., films, etc. have to take a lions share of the blame due to their lack of morals. The world has changed some for the good but a lot for the not so good. I like to think everyone should be treated with repect regardless of age, set the example and you may even get respect back.
Now what's all this about age? I turn 70 this month and have just this week hung up my football boots, not because I,m too old, just because I want to climb some more mountains and canoe some more wilderness lakes, head up to the Yukon for some hunting trips and in general complete my bucket list.

Re: "Respect your elders"
 

Overall, I've been treated better by my elders than the younger generation.
From what I've experienced older folk tend to be more mature, trustworthy, and respectful.
Most of the younger folk I've come across have been rude reprobates, immature, and far from trust worthy...not them all, but most.
I'm guessing that's what the elders mean by young people of today not having morale.
I'd prefer to give my respect to a older person than a youth , but it's still got to be earned,it's not just a god given right.
I think it's wisdom I respect, not age.

Re: "Respect your elders"
 

Age......Dotti, I think I am young at heart. In fact in my head I am 14...... And I guess that is why I won't let my daughters children call me that horrible G thing.
When I want to know my age.....I look in the back of my knickers.....it says 16! That'll do for me.

Re: "Respect your elders"
 

When I look back at posts of mine from 10 years ago it seems that 30 years have gone by. I guess that's 10 years of binge drinking for ya.

Accyex - you started with the clique crap again thus resulting in the loss of respect from most regular members of this forum. But I was talking life in general.

Re: "Respect your elders"
 

Rob, this clique thing is going to come up from time to time.
In the main I think it is because those who have been members for a long time have some kind of affinity.....which to new members may appear to be a clique...but isn't.
It is a misconception on the new members part and should be taken with a pinch of salt...it doesn't cause me to lose respect for them. They learn.....in time.

Re: "Respect your elders"
 

I still stand by what I suggested in post #2. This is not a thread I can take seriously ... I believe I hinted at that in #44, with my oblique allusion to one of the more famous observations of Groucho Marx.

"Respect you elders". This phrase was casually tossed out as if everyone agrees on the meaning of "respect", and that of "elders". The phrase, "with all due respect" comes to mind. When you here this, you know that there ain't much respect going to happen. I suggest that there is no general agreement. The topic, in my opinion, is just one more contentious thread, scantily clothed as "reasonable, serious debate".

Anyway ... a small, scruffy munchkin is demanding that she go for a tour of the neighbourhood ... and, as I respect the fourteen loving years she has spent on this planet, I'm heading out for walkies. Keeps me young and healthy.;)

Re: "Respect your elders"
 

Wrap up warm Eric.

Re: "Respect your elders"
 

Why? 'Cause I'm old? Have some respect woman;):D

But seriously:rolleyes:, it's a nice day out there. Already up to 1c ... and the sun is starting to give out some warmth ... should hit 6c today:eek: Even Hope didn't wear her coat; and she made it all the way around the block; barked at three other dogs (who ignored her ... no respect there), chased half a dozen squirrels, read a whole bunch of pee-mail and added her comments (dogs have been into social networking for millenia). By the way ... snowdrops are up, there's a hard working woodpecker in the area, and hundreds of geese heading north ... it's a hard time for them as there isn't much open water around.

Sorry about the wander ... just an old man rambling on:alright:

Re: "Respect your elders"
 

No not because you are old. I do not consider you to be old anymore that I consider myself to be old(we are similar in generational terms).
I am telling you to wrap up because you still have that nasty cold white stuff over there.
It is 50F here...don't know what that is in new money, but it feels mild.
anyway good to hear that you have signs that it is getting a bit kinder,weatherwise.

Is it more than six weeks since Groundhog day? Shouldn't you be getting mores signs of spring soon?

Re: "Respect your elders"
 

An easy way to work out, subtract 30 then half that answer - so 50f is 10c.
Not always the exact answer (that`s -32 then divide by 1.8) but for working out in your head it`s pretty close.

Re: "Respect your elders"
 

I'm off to the rez (Tyendinaga Mohawk First Nation Territory) today for cheap smokes ... amazing how little they cost without tax. Maybe I'll meet one of the Elders who will fill me in on what Spring is going to be like.;) Of course, these days, he or, more likely "she", as matriarchs are particularly respected by Mohawks, will probably check the Weather Network on her smart phone, and then let me know.:D

Re: "Respect your elders"
 

We can be as old as we feel in cyber space Margaret, it's ageless. Your still the same on here as you were when you first started posting! :)

Re: "Respect your elders"
 

Shuuuushhhh AccyX
He'll be out and about on his wizzardly weasely ways.
Enjoy the silence, just let sleeping dogs lie and you watch the flowers grow. :rolleyes:

Re: "Respect your elders"
 

I could have worked it out but I was just being lazy:D.

Re: "Respect your elders"
 

... and fuddy;)

Re: "Respect your elders"
 

Very likely Eric.......you have to remember I am of that age :)

Re: "Respect your elders"
 

Me too:D ... but I refuse to think of myself as "elderly", and definitely not an "elder". And my bs detector is still working well; that's why I can't take seriously a thread which bases itself an overused phrase that has become little more than a cliche.

Re: "Respect your elders"
 

Gimme RESPECT ... gimme Aretha:alright:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6FOUqQt3Kg0

Re: "Respect your elders"
 

I prefer clinches to cliches. :)
(but cliches over cliques - is that a fraction?)

Re: "Respect your elders"
 

Just a idea but what if kids (10-15yrs old) were shipped off to a dessert island and kept in Nazi like quarantene till they are 25 then if they are decent law abidding people with manners and a brain to think about things other than their own arrogant self centred world let them back to mingle with the rest of society?

Teens today have a worse approach to life than their elders because they have so many luxuries like mobile phones,clothes that cost a fortune and lets not forget the fact that they grew up/growing up in a society where parents and teachers can no longer discipline them without fear of being victimised,reported for (falsely) beating on them.

After a certain experience today,I'm not impressed, I really do hate teenagers (with a passion) and i dont care if folk dislike this opinion. Im tired of their constant rudeness arrogance and lack of understanding of anything except "I WANT I WANT".
I'd gladly see to it they were all shipped off somewhere till they grew up.And some I'd probably just lock up and throw away the ruddy key and do the rest of society a big favour.
Why should older generations have to put up with teenage bleeps dreadful behaviour?
We shouldnt and yet the do gooders come up and say "Oh you cant smack them!" "You cant do this to them " blah blah blah....Well I say bring back the leather strap, ruler and the slipper also bring back sending teenagers to strict diciplinarian schools and that way we might all be able to have a bit more 'respect' proffered towards us when we are unfortunate enough to encounter them little [enter swear word] :mad:

Re: "Respect your elders"
 

I am in the US at the moment combining work and a family visit. Whilst there is a lot not to like about the place I am always taken by the high levels of what one would call old fashioned courtesies everywhere. I flew out of Baltimore down to Cincinnati last night and the airport was teeming with US army guys and gals transiting home from Afghanistan and Germany. The manners and respect these kids showed young and old alike got me thinking bringing back National Service would be a start.

Re: "Respect your elders"
 

Makes me want to get out my dancing shoes .... R.E.S.P.E.C.T :)

Re: "Respect your elders"
 

Good points Margaret. But I have this feeling AccyEX isnt as new as you might think...might be wrong though :D

Re: "Respect your elders"
 

It is like this Rob....because I am upfront and honest, I sometimes take for granted that others are too....I never think they could be otherwise unless I spot something that makes me suspicious.

Re: "Respect your elders"
 

What's that suppose to mean R?

Re: Re: "Respect your elders"
 

Ian rush says.....

..... Exactly

Re: "Respect your elders"
 

Me too ... and watch "The Blues Brothers" for the umpteenth time (you do that kinda stuff when you are an elder) ... "It's a hundred and six miles to Chicago. We've got a full tank of gas and half a pack of cigarettes. It's dark and we're wearing sunglasses. Hit it." Maybe that's the meaning of life.:D But would the youngsters understand.:cool:

Re: "Respect your elders"
 

...maybe not, Eric, but us owd lads do!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cGXU7268Z50

Re: "Respect your elders"
 

Accyexplorer - would like to point out that if kids (or anyone else for that matter) were shipped off to a 'dessert' island they would have a 'sweet' time of it. Two 's's in the word change it from sand to 'afters'.

(Not meaning to be disrespectful to you by pointing this out).

Re: "Respect your elders"
 

Oh, my! Accyexplorer - you really have got a down on the younger generation (hope this isn't based on one or two examples or experiences). I do agree that manners and courtesy are sadly lacking in some of them (who's to blame?) - but I have also come across some very rude people of all ages including the older ones, sometimes especially the older ones.

Unfortunately (and I think this is sad) the 'bad eggs' in our society (whatever age) are the ones who people notice, the good ones (young and old) just quietly, respectfully and courteously go about their business. There are some super kids around doing great things as well as those who don't show respect for other people or their property. Please don't lump them all in your assessment of 'the younger generation'.

You mention all the things that kids today get - so who's fault is that! Just saying....

I come across people who have a pre-conceived bad attitude to younger people - and am not surprised when they get the same back from them.

Re: Re: "Respect your elders"
 

Ah that explains why a few years ago my dad watched cats pretty much every day.... Ugh :)

Re: "Respect your elders"
 

I watch cats everyday too ... If I didn't keep an eye on them they would shred my furniture, break into my aquarium, and plug up the drains.;)

Re: "Respect your elders"
 

.... :)

Re: "Respect your elders"
 

Accyexplorer - have just got home from shopping, had a lesson in rudeness and lack of courtesy from the shoppers who refuse to move and let others pass (even when asked politely) but seem to think that blocking the aisle with their trolley is their prerogative, to those to whom two words are apparently obsolete (the p and t), etc., etc., and not one of them was a teenager....

...and don't get me started on the old 'uns in their scooters and Gophers.

Re: "Respect your elders"
 

Something like that dotti, I just had a bad encounter and was venting my thoughts. Maybe I should of waited till after my tea an desert ;)
I suppose your right, for every little [deleted] I guess there is a older [deleted] :)

Re: Re: "Respect your elders"
 

I could watch that cat all day. However the cats I'm talking about are humans dressed up as cats singing cats chorus :)

Re: Re: "Respect your elders"
 

Might have to take a trip and catnap that cat :D

Re: "Respect your elders"
 

I'd say magical Mr Mistoffelees was on acid R.
You should name one of your cats that E :D

Re: "Respect your elders"
 

I couldn't think of anything witty or relevant to put here. Sorry.
I promise to do better next time....

Re: "Respect your elders"
 

could've just not posted at all... then you woudlntve brought up a year-old dead thread

Re: "Respect your elders"
 

Elders should not be respected just because they are elders - that is how we got the situation with Saville.

Re: "Respect your elders"
 

Rubbish- he was at it from a young age( although I know anybody over 30 is old now!:rolleyes:).
He got away with it with the people in power because he was famous, good for viewing figures, good for raising charity funds, and with the many ordinary people who knew about it because of fear.

Same with Cyril Smith- he started young but he was an MP- they seem to have different rules of acceptable behaviour than the rest of us so no one who knew thought it was worth mentioning.

Re: "Respect your elders"
 

What a shame, we all know what he and others did was wrong, but you've admitted to a similar situation, that takes away your right to criticise these evil souls.

Re: "Respect your elders"
 

I do not expect respect because of my age, or gender, but because I extend respect to others.....well, that is of course unless I discover they are unworthy of that respect.

Re: "Respect your elders"
 

Some people appear to have a fixation on paedophiles and illegal drugs - I wonder why?

Re: "Respect your elders"
 

Perhaps it's a guilt thing?[emoji85] [emoji86] [emoji87]

Re: "Respect your elders"
 

I'm starting not to care ... I'm running out of elders:mad: If it weren't for the Rollings Stones ... :D

Re: "Respect your elders"
 

I've got to agree!

Elders should be respected because they have more sense than you, talk more sense than you, post more sense than you and behave with more sense than you do.

Now show some respect!;)

Re: "Respect your elders"
 

Not exactly a sisyphean task, eh.;)