Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Exactly, and you'll still have all that experience no matter what your "character" is. And actually, until someone else has aged and been there, how do they even have a clue about the value of what they're (dis)respecting? BTW, I'm gathering the OP is not of the "senior" persuasion yet themselves (although I've heard you can learn all about it on the internet)!
Great point! Some of us are getting pretty aged.....and know, firsthand, that there are some older folks who have great wisdom to share, and yet....there are some who never learned from their mistakes, encourage younger generations to repeat their mistakes, and lead younger folks astray, because they fall into the trap of "age=wisdom". Believe me, I have a great many older folks whom I respect, but on the other side of the coin, are a great many whom I do not.
Just for being alive longer? Is their opinion more valuable? On one hand, old people do have a long archive of experience, but on the other hand, some people are idiots no matter what age they are.
Respect is EARNED. I don't care what your age is - if you respect me, I will treat you with respect. If you disrespect me, I will disrespect you.
Location: On the "Left Coast", somewhere in "the Land of Fruits & Nuts"
8,852 posts, read 10,460,349 times
Reputation: 6670
Quote:
Originally Posted by Twinkle Toes
Matter of semantics. You dissin' me???
No, it's not just a matter of semantics. That is unless you think someone openly "dissing" your "dancing prowess", is the same thing as being courteously silent even though they may be quietly thinking that you probably suck at it. Just as an example...
Just for being alive longer? Is their opinion more valuable? On one hand, old people do have a long archive of experience, but on the other hand, some people are idiots no matter what age they are.
Old people should be shown more respect because :
1. They have a ton of valueable experience that can be learned from and put to good use.
2. They continually weather the crap from young generations that are grossly inconsiderate, self centered , rude, and who dislike authority of all kinds.
3. They usually have physical problems that are difficult for them to handle in life.
4. Many are struggling financially to make ends meet.
5. Many dont get visited by their own families.
6. Others view them as a pain or not contributing much to society any more.
7. Because chances are, your Parents taught you to be respectful toward them especially.
If the Old Person acts with rudeness, immorality, gross rebellion, gross anger, etc... then THAT Old Person (alone) should not be treated with honor and respect . Does this sound fair and reasonable ?
I think sometimes we need a reminder because it IS so easy to dis-respect 'old people'. I look at my 89 year old father and see, not the doddering old man that others see, but a member of the 'Greatest Generation" ~ who weathered the depression, fought in SEVERAL wars, was a decorated Officer in the Army, and who lost a son when he was only 8 years old. And did it all with grace and dignity and without complaining. That kind of life experience ~ cannot be learned in books or reading on the internet. He continued on, no matter what, to make a good life for himself and his family.
It's hard to see that man now, when you look at him, but he's still there and worthy of respect.
My teen-age son sees only the doddering old man and I get so mad when I see his eyes rolling around when he stumbles and fumbles. That 'old man' paid for his braces, sat through every sporting event, and will be providing him a car. I remind him of that from time to time.
I think sometimes we need a reminder because it IS so easy to dis-respect 'old people'. I look at my 89 year old father and see, not the doddering old man that others see, but a member of the 'Greatest Generation" ~ who weathered the depression, fought in SEVERAL wars, was a decorated Officer in the Army, and who lost a son when he was only 8 years old. And did it all with grace and dignity and without complaining. That kind of life experience ~ cannot be learned in books or reading on the internet. He continued on, no matter what, to make a good life for himself and his family.
It's hard to see that man now, when you look at him, but he's still there and worthy of respect.
My teen-age son sees only the doddering old man and I get so mad when I see his eyes rolling around when he stumbles and fumbles. That 'old man' paid for his braces, sat through every sporting event, and will be providing him a car. I remind him of that from time to time.
Ringo, here's an idea for you. I have almost always been in professions in which I've interacted with "seniors", or at least older adults. Here is what completely changed the way I saw these folks, besides the obvious sharing of words. I saw pictures of them when they were young!! Find some pictures of your father when he was younger. If there are any relatives who have pictures, or if you're able to connect with relatives online who have pictures of him throughout his life.....GET THEM! Display those pictures of your father when he was young. Nothing reveals the person "inside" as much as a photo gallery that has pictures of that elderly person at different (younger) stages of their lives.
If your son has pictures displayed of your father at HIS age, younger and somewhat older, it is more likely that he won't view his grandfather as simply a "doddering old man". He will likely begin to see your father as a young person who has grown old with time. It's also a way of showing your son the meaning of "mortality". We all get old. Our physical appearance is not who we are....but a product of the passing of time. Show him who your father really is! I did that for my chidren....and it's amazing the way they started viewing their grandparents... with much more respect. They stopped treating them like "they wouldn't be interested or understand", because they ceased to be distracted by their outward appearance! If you have a younger "reference" visual of the elderly, you simply see them differently. It's amazing!
In working with elderly in nursing homes, I actually started seeing my elderly friends as they WERE, not as the "waiting to die" individuals. We encourage elderly clients' families to bring pictures of them when they were younger, because it actually makes the clients FEEL younger, as well....especially when their caregivers stop treating them like "doddering old people".
Last edited by beachmel; 12-28-2010 at 09:46 AM..
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
