Why Do People Respect the Elderly?

Question

I don't understand why that in nearly every culture, people are taught to respect the elderly. And I will say that many elderly people DESERVE to be respected - they've accomplished stuff, maybe they improved their inner selves, raised a family, bravely handle illnesses and losses with smiles on their faces. But...then THOSE should be the reasons they deserve respect from those around them. Not just because they've been spewing out CO2 longer than the rest of us. Don't you think there's a lot of old people who DON'T deserve respect? If they don't respect you, who cares if their kids are older than your mother - they simply shouldn't get "special treatment" that you certainly wouldn't give younger people. Example: If an old lady is unnecessarily rude to you in a grocery store, you can't put them in their place or argue unless you want to look like a real asshoIe. Why are ALL old people justified to courtesy they may not deserve?

In a weak attempt to argue my opinion, I know some of you will say "Well, YOU'LL be old someday!" Hopefully, I will be in forty five years or so. But I definitely won't expect people to bow down to me or baby me unless I've treated the person well.

I understand why old people get first priority on buses and stuff, but that's a physical obligation. And I DO respect my elders - because they have earned my respect. I don't care how old you are...I won't give a sh.t about you unless you treat me with courtesy.

Answer 1

in some cases it is because they become like children. except u yelling at them isnt going to give them a hurt feeling, it might give them a heart attack!
i take care of elderly people. once you become a certain age u tend to act like u deserve respect just for your age, but unless u r a respectful person then, no you dont deserve it, you're right.
the reason alot of older people are so rude is because of how they feel you are looking at them. our elderly nation has become expendable. we have allowed our gov. to take almost ever ounce of security and livelyhood they have. society see's them as a waste. that is using up our resources. sad to say it its true. The most important thing is that they are not just numbers or population figures, or medicaid case numbers, they are human beings. they love, hurt, hate, envy, hunger, desire, still just the same as you and i.
close your eyes and look down at your hands, they are 90 yrs old. now touch your face, imagine the wrinkles, imagine they're body but looking out from your eyes your soul, but all the people who are suppose to be protecting you are throwing you into the cheapest nursing/retirnment facility they can.
have patience, things get a little easier once you understand. -melissa 24yrs old

Answer 2

I completely agree. In some cases they should be respected as handicapped in regards to giving up a seat just for physical limitations. Some don't deserve respect but I suppose with a stranger you don't know their lives and would have to assume the best of people unless otherwise identified.

If you went off on an elderly person who was rude to you, I would not think you were an ****hole.

Answer 3

Be respectful--they're the reason we're here today and helped to lay the foundations for the future!! How are you going to be when you get that age? If you want respect--you have to show it--I know--I'm pretty sure that most all of those elderly shown alot of respect when they were alot younger. Consider the huge generation gap too--their beliefs and all the cjanges they have seen since they have grown up until now--it's mind blowing!!!

Answer 4

I have always believed that respect is earned, and not something that anyone should ever expect just because of their age or circumstances. Some elderly people ARE extremely unpleasant, but you never know if it's because they are senile or just nasty old farts, so the best thing to do is to err on the side of the assumption of senility and just put up with it.

Answer 5

I was taught to respect all people around me including young kids. I believe if one who wants to be respected by other should show respect to other first.

I guess we were taught that way it is because parents want us to be courtesy to everyone and be respected by others.

Answer 6

if i could show u that america would be better off by making this country in to a union,the constitution calls america the more perfect union, but they never took the steps to form this union, just big brother fromed the union, the people still and always have been screwed becau8se of this misconception, some of the thoughts would be that it would be better than just plan thinking like we are today.your absolutely right to have a bone to pick. we are all depriving of happiness because of social control steering commitees (in every stinking fly trap town in america big brother returned power to state and local levels just to keep the status qua going there way) this screwed up system is here because it is their bread and butter and for no other reason,that why they do the grunt work of dumping lies everywhere to as many people as they can because they know the power of negitive wet blankets to dump on people and who understands and who doesn't. a union would give all senority, u don't like that because u want yours now, onces u get over trying to get there first you'll understand that there is no where to go and that all that we do when we spin our wheels is look stupid. u know and i know this is not real words in real world ways but a @ss kissing set up and unless u c how bad this way is you'll never get to another system such as privligies that are acrude by senority, people rights have a way of getting to what they address in life when they understand what they are dealing with, todays world looks like mass confussion because it lacks the abilities that only a senority sytem can provide. individual attentions to addressing anything can be done systematically, in the really world you got clout and power and rights that are pure lies to get funded and more think tanks to get more people to act out like u, we can get to where we can change anything as long as it proves a point that, your willingness to run over anyone to get we here you have to go is what caused this problem to get funding to study how to coerce us now, we are all tied up in a sinking system of every man for him self and the monorities c this as a way to screw u even more, gotta go get off on a rant here i felt that way to until i saw i was being used

Answer 7

coz they ain't the good health we have,coz they r weak to fight for their own rights and coz they did atleast one good thing in their youth to make our life easier

Answer 8

Growing old is not for cowards.

Answer 9

If you choose to argue with an old lady in the grocery store, you are a jerk. Why bother. Let it be.

Answer 10

Yes you will.