Why should you respect your elders? Why are old women refered to as "sweet old ladies"?

Question

The unabashed truth is I may be old but I am not sweet.
Neither are a lot of elderly who are older than me and who have lived wretched lives.
Sure, some people mellow with age, but that's not always the case, a lot get 'set in their ways'.
So why should anyone, per se, even Children, autmatically respect someone just because they are older??
Isn't that plain wrong, not to mention hypocritical?

Answer 1

We to it to humor the bitter old hags. It keeps them happy so we don't have to listen to their constant nagging and complaining.

Answer 2

I've never heard of all old women being referred to as "sweet old ladies." I've only heard the phrase used when the speaker was referring to specific ladies that they thought were sweet.

All rules should be tempered with common sense. If your "elder" suggests you should jump in front of a train, you shouldn't blindly do it. But people who are older than us have much more experience than us. They know lots of stuff, so we should take the time to listen to what they have to say. Even if what they say sounds wrong at first listen, we should give it serious thought...sometimes things sound wrong because WE are the wrong ones. Finally, unless you had a truly barbaric childhood, there are elders that helped you get to where you are now, and they deserve our _respect_. Respect does not mean worship or blind obedience.

Answer 3

It goes back to our roots as a society. Young people today are often far more aware of the world than the older generation simply because the world is moving so quickly - older people cannot keep up with the children who are growing up with these things every day.

But back in the past, people didn't live as long and the basis of society remained more or less the same from generation to generation. As a result, the older you were generally the wiser and more informed you were. Older people, mentally, had a great advantage over younger people in that they had experienced more. But this edge is disappearing in the modern world, because young people are much faster to adapt to the ever-changing face of human society.

Answer 4

I tell my son to treat everyone respectfully when you meet them but that true respect for a person has to be earned over time. These rules were made by elders of course just like why the ten commandments says to respect thy mother and father well guess who made that rule up no not god but mothers and fathers. The rules reflect those in charge when they are created. That's why the bible is so sexist towards women it reflects the society of that time.

Answer 5

My Heathen heart is breaking right now. LOL We honor the ancestors.
Elders have seen things I haven't dreamed. My grandmother saw and survived polio and the Great Depression. My grandfather saw the Korean War. Elder are LIVING HISTORY. The deserve respect.

Answer 6

a lot of times it is. There is old lady living in my building, she's very rude, nasty and just plain horrible person. Another couple of times when I was in the store, old people push me around without saying "excuse me" and when you say something they complain or look at you like it's your fault! Furthermore, when they block the walkway and you say "excuse me" because you want to pass, they don't move and if you go over them, they look at you like you owe them something and not supposed to go about your business, but wait for them, whenever they decide to move........So the lesson I've learned is to respect those who respect me.

Answer 7

I only respect the ones who deserve it. Old or young.

I think most old women are referred to as "sweet old ladies" out of sarcasm. I haven't met very many sweet old ladies, in fact, my own grandmother is the hatefullest old bag I've ever met.

Answer 8

Its just common courtesy to respect everyone, not just the elderly.

Its that old saying treat everyone as you would like to be treated.

I respect my grandparents, because they have been through more, and know more then i do. And they are kind loving people, and above all they also show me respect.

Answer 9

Every human being, of whatever origin, of whatever station, deserves respect. We must each respect others even as we respect ourselves.
There's nothing hypocritical in that.

Answer 10

they've lived longer and experienced more than me. by itself that engenders a small amount of respect. but when you cut me off in traffic and drive 20 mph below the speed limit...that removes the aforementioned respect.

Answer 11

Children should be taught to treat all people with respect - just as we should all treat each other with respect.