R-E-S-P-E-C-T

I don't care that I am not rich and famous, hold a important position in  large corporation or otherwise have a big impact on the outcome of today's worldly activities.  I am happy being who I am.  I make decent wages, I am a good mother, I am a good friend, sister and daughter (still struggling a bit with the "good girlfriend", but we'll get there).. I am lucky to have great friends and family, and although more money would always be welcome; power or fame is not something that appeals to me.

However, I do expect to be respected for who I am and what I do.  I am too old to take people's crap because they think I should! I was born with a big mouth, so when I think about it,  I have never really been good at taking any one's crap.

Ask nicely, and I will help you. Show some empathy for others, and  I will be understanding of your difficulties. Listen to other people's thoughts and ideas, and I will hear what you have to say. Treat me good, and I will work hard for you.  But I refuse to be any body's scapegoat, to be talked down to or bossed around.  I will not do an ounce of work for any ass who thinks "they're all that" because of a title.

Some of the most gracious people I have met in my life have been the higher ups in large corporation.  They all had two things in common - they had high expectations of themselves and all who worked with or for them, but they also made people around them feel capable and empowered. Isn't that a funny thing?

So I'm not exactly looking for the same respect as Aretha was, but felt the need to spell out the word nonetheless.  I said before that respect is earned, and that is true for ourselves too.  Respect yourself and live up to your own expectations, and the respect of others will soon follow.

Sick and Tired

I'm usually a pretty perky person.  I love life, and try to make the most of it.  Work is part of "making the most of it" for me.  If I didn't have to work, I would anyway, just not so much, and probably for a charity.  Unfortunately the lottery numbers keep coming up wrong, so as most of us, I am still in the category of having to work.

I have some great co-workers and customers, and most of the time, I enjoy my work.  But what I cannot stand, is to be talked down to and treated like a two-year old. The whole "let me prove to you who is the boss" attitude just irks me!!  I have no idea what management course they teach this in, but they need to eliminate it!!

It is just not at work I see this.  At the bank the other day, a man just went off on the teller when their computer system was slow.  Like it was her fault?  I finally got so irritated, I told him that maybe if he was a little nicer to people, there is a great chance he would get better service also. He got this puzzled look on his face like "What?  My attitude has anything to do with how I am treated?"  Idiot!!

It is no different than raising your children.  Can you imagine how much progress your child would make if you never praised him or her for anything they did right, but only pointed out what they did wrong?  Every day? That would be one insecure child!  Adults are no different. I don't care how good you are at what you do. If you are never given recognition for anything you do right, it is only a matter of time before you stop caring about what you do. To me this is the basics of human interaction.  The Golden Rule. Why are there still so many managers that can't figure this out?

Bottom line is, respect doesn't come with a title, it is earned. If you treat me and others like crap, guess what? We have no respect for you.  Go figure!