Carlos Mencia was on Preston and Steve this morning and was talking about respect. He was telling a story about walking down the street and he saw a teenager walking by and Carlos extended a “Hello” to which the young man replied “What’s up?”
Now this is a socially accepted response. The phrase ‘what’s up’ has been used since what, 1990? That’s as far back as I can remember. The brain of most people would compute that as ‘response accepted’ and go on to the next task. Carlos’ didn’t. Neither did my Grandmother’s.
This isn’t a bash on Carlos, he has enough of that on the Internet, but this is something I’ve never understood. Carlos went on to suggest that he has a lot more life experience than the young man he met. He’s been around a lot longer. Undeniable, of course. I draw a problem with his next sentiment. The sentiment that just because of those facts, he deserves respect. He acknowleged the young man, he extended a greeting to him, he feels that he should be greeted with a ’sir’. While I don’t disagree with that, as it stands, I draw issue with the better-than-you mentality.
This was also my grandmothers fault.
Demanding respect due to “elder status” is not right in my opinion. If anything, demand respect because everyone deserves it.
In my opinion, everyone has respect, until you do something to lose it. I don’t know the guy walking down the street, I don’t know anything about him, and when I greet him, it’s out of respect for my fellow man. Not because I feel above him.
Just some random thoughts. This is one major reason I never got along with my grandmother. We grew up in different times, I guess, but it doesn’t change what is fair.
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