PatriotsReign

I was watching a commercial before the Celtics game that was sponsored by Cadillac. It had a parking garage security guy kissing some anonymous athlete's butt.

It just made me think about if some athletes who are called "Mr" & "Sir" whereever they go had not made the big time, what would they be called? Let's get right to the point shall we? Do we as Americans believe successful people deserve more respect than the average Joe or Jane?

Here's what I believe;

What I own, do for a living, how much I make, how good looking I am or well spoken I can be...NONE of these things has anything to do with who I am. I am just as good, deserving of respect and every bit as much of a man without any of the above.

I also believe that even if I put every bit of my energy & strength into it, I can never be any "better than" anyone else. I am no better than nor any less than anyone else.

Thoughts?

Patters

That's very Swedish of you. When I lived in Sweden, I one day put on the tv, and it featured a documentary about the women who clean the bathrooms in the subway station. A colleague explained to me that Swedes are taught they are no better than anyone else. It does lead to a very respectful society, and the wealthy get far fewer perks than they do in other societies.

Certainly wealth is no measure of one's contributions to society, so wealth does not deserve any more respect than poverty. If you call a a person in a Versace suit "Sir" then you should call the homeless person "Sir" as well.

patsfan13

MAny people respect those that excel in their field, A lot of guys would like to be athletes they are people who are accomplished in a way we are not.

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"Some guys play in all-star games, some guys don't. I don't know who picks all those all-star teams. In all honesty, I don't know who picks the combine, for that matter," Belichick said. "How does (Miami-Ohio offensive lineman Brandon) Brooks not get invited to the combine? How did Vollmer not get invited to the combine? I don't know. We can't really worry about that. We just have to try to evaluate them the best we can."

Mogamedogz

It's a nice "idea" but it's just not how this country works. There is a social hiarchy and everyone assumes their place. It's not right, but that's the way our culture operates.

PatriotsReign

I don't operate that way. I make a conscious effort not to show more respect to those who are successful than those less fortunate.

But I admit, it's very difficult in our society.

otis p. driftwood

In all seriousness--if you believe you can never be better than anyone else...what's the point of getting out of bed?

If Kevin Garnett or Vince Wilfork or BB or Donald Trump or Gene Simmons thought that way, what would happen?

It's fine to show the same respect for 'upper class people' or 'successful' people, but I try to reserve my respect for people who deserve it, whether they push a broom or drive one of those stupid Cadillacs.

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PatriotsReign

You're right in some ways. We live in a competitive society and being better at your job than the other guy is a great thing and results in many hard-earned rewards.

But I'm referring to the fact that no human is better than another no matter how hard we try. I just think some people act as if they are "better-than" when it's impossible. Being better-at is not the same as thinking you're better than.

I know it's something we all know as fact, but we often get caught up in looking down upon others. I'm as guilty as anyone at times. I think our society breeds that kind of attitude.

On an international level, Americans are no better than anyone else either. Maybe in our minds, but not in reality. The bible even tells us this is true.

Harry Boy

Do you think your better than David Duke or Charles Manson---

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Harry Boy (Genius)

In The Absence Of Law And Order Society Will Surely Destroy Itself

PatriotsReign

I "feel" like I am, but I know the reality is that I'm not. The kicker here is this; If I actually do feel I'm better than some people, then I have to admit there are people better than me.

If I accept the truth & the reality that no one is better than anyone else, then I never have to feel less than anyone else again. Even if I meet the pope or the president, I know they're not better than me.

If you have any religious beliefs, then I don't have to convince you of this as we all know that God is the only judge and he loves everyone equally, will forgive anyone if they ask and looks at all humans as the same.

if you're atheist, you'll have to figure it out another way.

otis p. driftwood

I don't see the big deal...there are people "better" than me. There are people who are much more kind, much more gentle, much more tolerant and so forth. This doesn't mean I'm not a good person, and it does me no harm to know there are people better than me.

__________________
Questions are a burden
and answers a prison
for oneself.

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