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Let’s talk about respect 2/4/2008 7:59:37 AM
Let’s talk about respect
When a person treats others with respect, it is natural to expect the same in return. When one is disrespected, they tend to avoid those who do it to them. Or they dish out some of what they have received. Either way, it is abuse; it can be in the written, physical or verbal form.
I have received emails that contain what can only be described as ‘text speak’. If one is text messaging others, this is probably quite appropriate. However, in written communication, this is not acceptable. It is most distracting, and not everyone understands the form. Preferably, I won't read or respond to such missives.
Specifically:
I am not a ’peep’. Peep is a show, a sound, or a marshmallow chicken seen on the store shelves at Easter time. I am none of those things, nor are other people. Are others so lazy that they cannot type or write ‘people’? ‘People’ contains only one more letter than ‘peeps’.
When the offenders speak to someone do they use those same terms?
UR - Is this supposed to be ‘You are’, ‘you’re’ or ‘your’? Depending on the intended message, it could change the entire meaning of what is written.
Using initials in place of one’s name. If you are writing to me, I assume that you know my name. Use it. I am not ZC, I am Zada.
In that same vein, I also resent it when others who do not know me put forth a constant spewing of love, support, and prayers. This denotes a familiarity that is not warranted. Dripping honeyed words too often is offensive to me. Too much sweetness and light can be very sour in another individual’s mind, and seems less than genuine. Perhaps I do not want their prayers. They do not know what my religious beliefs are. If I want their prayers I will ask for them.
I wish to be addressed as an intelligent human being, worthy of respect. To my way of thinking, all of the aforementioned things are an insult and affront. Others may not mind, but I do, so it is my problem, and no one else’s. However, I should think that others feel the same way, even if they are not aware of it.
We seem to have lost the art of spelling words properly. Could it be that we do not speak correctly? Surely anyone with more than a third grade education knows how to spell and use written words. An occasional spelling mistake happens to all of us, but I am seeing more and more errors cropping up.
If we don’t know the meaning of a word, we should either not use it, or check our dictionaries to verify the proper usage.
