Respect: Honor your mother and father

Pablo Hernandez Vargas
My father

My parents taught me all the basics: survival, respect for all people especially those older than me, the value of family, the value of extended family and friendship, compassion/empathy, justice, equality, and the sanctity of independent ethically driven thinking. They taught me the value of the truth and the principle that knowing the truth but not adhering to it made me guilty and complicit.

These were all principles they learned from their religion and their parents. They weren't simply guidelines, but rules they followed. They didn't follow the crowd; they followed their conscience. My father was a concientious objector (a non combatant medic) during WWII, like Desmond Doss, but he served his country. Through out his life he lost or was refused jobs because he refused to work on his Sabbath, Saturday. Again, he stood by his convictions. 

He was ridiculed for his "broken" English but employers loved his work ethic and his personal ethics. To gain respect, be respectful. My father, however, believed that we also must speak up for the disenfranchised. "Unto to the least of these...", he would quote. Respect is a responsibility that we owe each other.

As I've aged, I have begone to notice how we ignore our seniors as if they are all demented and have no value. Yesterday, I witnessed a group of elderly ladies simply asking if their order could be taken at the bar vs the table where they were sitting and waiting patiently to be served. They were thirsty and it was hot outside. The barkeep rudely repeated that the server said "they would have to wait". No compassion and no respect. The ladies were offended but said nothing.

Well, I said something to the bartender about her rudeness and lack of empathy. Then I went to the lady who was not served and asked her how it made her feel. She and her group said they are frequently ignored as if they don't exist. I told them that I spoke to the bartender about the incident. It bothered me enough to say something and do something.

The incident kept playing over in my head, and when I went home I elected to call the manager and complain about the bartender who had also served me, smile less and without a care about me. I told him it was bad for business and that seniors are folks with lots of disposable income and can pay tips. I let him know the name of the person and added, I left no tip.

People do not respect each other today. We no longer follower the golden rule or even any form of higher power nor conscience. Do what's right. Speak up. Honor your mother and father. Be honorable, practice your ethics, and your faith. Go the extra mile and do what's right. Listen to your conscience.