Sarah+D's+OpEd+Article

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Show Some Respect PLEASE!
Eating dinner with the boys of my family is like eating with a pack of wolves that haven’t had a meal in a week. Tonight my mom made delicious tacos and not one second of the whole meal passed without someone saying, “Pass the meat please.” Dishes flying across the table, food dropped into tortillas, and then, “Pass the cheese please,” and a bowl is being held over my plate. Well at least they said please. But I wasn’t too happy when I was the lucky one who had cheese dumped in my lemonade. Dinner with the Duggans is survival of the fittest. What happened to the days when a family could sit down for more than five minutes and actually talk politely while eating food with manners? Well those days are over and respect has vanished from homes worldwide.

Disrespect is everywhere. Most people just think about themselves and they need to learn how to care about others. Anywhere at school I’ll see something that disgusts me or is extremely inappropriate or rude. Everyone is always cussing, even the teachers. I’m sure a teenager’s range of vocabulary is a little more sophisticated than all the vulgarity I constantly hear. On top of that, rumors spread quickly and gossip is heard everywhere. I don’t want to hear other people’s personal problems that should be kept a secret. That was popular on the playground back in third grade. Someone is being extremely hurt behind the scenes of all this carelessness.

Cells phones and texting have stolen all the integrity of humankind. I’d like to have a conversation with someone without them looking at their iPhone the whole time, probably on Facebook if they aren’t texting someone aimlessly. I love texting but when you can’t even order your Starbucks drink without texting, all hope is lost. These people are serving you, at least look them in the eye and smile! Adults deserve respect, especially parents. These are the people who clothe you, feed you, and put a roof over your head. Parents sacrifice so much for their kids and at the very least deserve respect.

Not only should we respect others, but ourselves also. We need to have confidence in ourselves and are able to gain self esteem if we respect ourselves, especially our body. You only get one body, so don’t abuse it. I’m tired of seeing girls wearing tight, little, low cut, see through tank tops and revealing miniskirts. I also don’t understand how guys can walk when their pants are down to their knees. Waddling in the hallways at school isn’t the smartest choice. When you show yourself respect, it is a lot easier for others to respect you.

Respect should be a natural instinct. People should actually care about each other and want others to feel good about themselves. It also makes a person look better when they show respect. Religions, opinions, and actions all deserve respect, no matter what the circumstance is. People have different opinions but you can easily agree to disagree and show sensitivity towards their opinion. Listening is a necessity when being considerate towards someone. Every person has just as much value as you do and they deserve to be treated right. Showing respect makes a person look smarter, stronger, and more mature. “Do to others as you would have them do to you.” Luke 6:31