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I have a young relative who occasionally rants on her fb page about "old people" (meaning, of course, anyone over about 35). She says, "If I want advice, I'll ask someone my age who knows what I'm going through."
If you were lost in the woods, which person would you rather come upon? One who is also lost, and thus can identify with you? Or one who long ago was lost in those woods, but who now knows the way out? I'd prefer the second.
Of course that doesn't mean that all older people are wiser than all younger people.
I have a young relative who occasionally rants on her fb page about "old people" (meaning, of course, anyone over about 35). She says, "If I want advice, I'll ask someone my age who knows what I'm going through."
If you were lost in the woods, which person would you rather come upon? One who is also lost, and thus can identify with you? Or one who long ago was lost in those woods, but who now knows the way out? I'd prefer the second.
Of course that doesn't mean that all older people are wiser than all younger people.
I'm in my 60s and I listen closely to people in their 80s talking about what they're going through.
Just for being alive longer, older people probably have more practical knowledge and definitely more experience - for that reason, they should be listened to. Respect? That is a matter of what their personality and attitude shows.
There are different forms of respect. Some have conditions, some don't. Seniors in general do not need or deserve crap from some disoriented bunch of over-reaching whippersnappers. A pat on the back, some thanks, and some good wishes for the future would be much more to the point.
What would be the grounds to presumptively "disrespect" a stranger? I would again suggest that all humans and many other living species are by default deserving of respect and are indeed owed it until such time as they actively forfeit their right to such consideration.
Just for being alive longer, older people probably have more practical knowledge and definitely more experience - for that reason, they should be listened to. Respect? That is a matter of what their personality and attitude shows.
This is quite true.
But past experience is also a double-edged sword, because it imbues people with a sense of how things should be that often manifests itself into resistance to change. Younger individuals, while lacking experience, do tend to think more outside the social and culture box.
The two balance out.
The whole 'older people deserve more respect' idea originated as just another way of institutionalizing the the power of individuals, who had spent years and decades accumulating it so that they were usually among the older half of a society. And, of course, those in power had the means to enforce their self-serving ideas.
What would be the grounds to presumptively "disrespect" a stranger? I would again suggest that all humans and many other living species are by default deserving of respect and are indeed owed it until such time as they actively forfeit their right to such consideration.
Here's the definition of respect that I use: "a feeling of deep admiration for someone or something elicited by their abilities, qualities, or achievements."
Based on that definition, I have no idea what a stranger's abilities, qualities, or achievements are, and therefore have no reason to respect him or her.
Of course, there are other definitions of respect.
Further, you seem to think there are only 2 possibilities -- respecting a stranger or disrespecting a stranger. One could also be neutral until there is some knowledge about the stranger.
Since you "respect" strangers so much, I assume you give all hitchhikers a ride.
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