Garth Rattray | Respect goes a long way

The other day, I was using a somewhat unorthodox method to transport two long metal poles to St Mary. They were needed for an extremely important community project.

They were securely strapped to the top of the pickup because they would have stuck out dangerously if I had put them in the back. The pickup does not have a roof rack, so the poles looked conspicuous with foam and several bungie cords strapping them to the vehicle.

I was waiting at the new traffic light below Three Miles, preparing to turn right (on to Chesterfield Drive) when a windshield wiper approached and pointed to the windshield. I motioned 'no' as he approached. When he came to my driver's side window, I lowered it and calmly explained that I came out dry, I had no change. In fact, my only cash was in larger denominations because I was prepared to pay several workmen - but I didn't tell him that part.

When I finished explaining the situation to him, I said, "All right, boss, cool, cool, next time." He nodded and replied likewise before walking off. But he turned, came back to my window, pointed to the new road and said, "Di police dem down deh so a draw ovah all di man dem who have tings like dis pon dem truck."

If I hadn't treated him with respect, he would not have warned me. I confess that I chose an alternative route to avoid the possibility of being pulled over. It was a valuable lesson for all of us.

I make it a habit to treat everyone with respect. I feel that it's okay to calmly explain to windshield wipers whenever I do not have any change on me. They are trying to make a living, and the way that several of them behave has made it bad for all of them.

Motorists prepare for hostility by ignoring them or by showing hostility towards them. They, in turn, do the same, and the cycle not only repeats itself, it spirals upwards.

I'm not advocating that people get careless around strangers on the street. Nor am I arguing that vulnerable individuals expose themselves to possible dangers.

LOVE VS RESPECT

But respecting others is always a good thing to do. In fact, it's very difficult to love everyone, but we can, at least, show respect to those that we encounter. Respect goes a very long way.

If you had to choose either love or respect, choose respect. Love is a very positive emotion, but it's also powerful and demanding. We should love others, even strangers, but circumstances can transform the powerful emotion of love into hate.

Interestingly, if someone loves someone a lot, they have the capacity to hate them just as much under the 'right' conditions. Respect is usually objective and unlikely to transform into hate.

Giving respect is easy. All you have to do is imagine how it would feel to be on the receiving end of what you say or do to others. For example, the ridiculous driving on our roads is a manifestation of the lack of respect that we have for one another. Even if someone is ignorant of the traffic laws, respecting the rights of other to share the roads would make them a much safer place.

If entertainment enterprises were to think of how damaging the noise is to others, they would obey the Noise Abatement Act. If the criminal-minded respected the rights/needs of others, they would resort to something else.

And if the authorities respected the needs of all citizens, poverty and crime would decrease significantly. If we showed respect to others, we would solve most of our nation's problems.

- Garth A. Rattray is a medical doctor with a family practice. Email feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com and garthrattray@gmail.com.