(Dis) Respect
Respect. It’s been said that it must be earned before it is given to you. Aretha Franklin wrote a hit song about it. Comedian Rodney Dangerfield builds his whole shtick on it (or more technically, a lack of it: “I get no respect, I tell ya.”)
Respect permeates politics, religion, pop culture, and sports. We’re taught to respect the views, beliefs, and opinions of others…even if we don’t agree with them. Same goes for people too.
So how does one earn respect? By doing noble deeds? By serving others? By having an important job or role? Or by simply taking other people’s innocent barbs and laughing with them?
No one would ever accuse me of having a self-esteem problem. But after these latest encounters, even the most confident person would sympathize with Mr. Dangerfield. For instance:
I am blessed to be sponsoring my good friend Jen as she prepares to join the Catholic faith as part of the RCIA program at my home parish of St. Paul in Richmond. Last Friday, Jen participated in the Rite of Election, in essence saying she was electing to move towards Easter to receive her Sacraments of Initiation. It was a wonderful celebration, led by Archbishop Roussin.
During the social time after the Rite, I introduced Jen to Archbishop Roussin by saying “She is my catechumen.” Catching myself, I stated “Actually, she is God’s catechumen, I’m just here to help.”
To which Archbishop Roussin quickly deadpanned, “But ARE you???”
As everyone around us broke into laughter, I tried to think of a good comeback. But how do you come back at a bishop? What a dis!
Thankfully, we were interrupted by a group picture, taken by Chuck Luttrell, Director of the Office of Religious Education. After taking the picture, Chuck looked at the camera and deadpanned “I wonder why this camera is broken?” Looking at the subjects of the picture, he said “Oh I see. Clay was in the picture.” Everyone around us broke into laughter. I went for more cheese and crackers. What a dis!
I was driving downtown yesterday with Gail while on the phone with Faye. I signalled and made a rather quick (yet safe) lane change. While still talking to Faye, I told Gail “Please wave for me.” I thought that Gail knew I meant to wave to the driver of the vehicle in my rear view mirror, the one I just moved ahead of. She didn’t…instead Gail started waving randomly to people walking on the sidewalk. It was very funny, and I broke into laughter. Even Faye broke into laughter. And after explaining to Gail whom I meant her to wave to, she broke into laughter. A lot of it. So much she was crying.
So I sarcastically said to her, “It’s actually not that funny. You must not have a lot of joy in your life.”
To which Gail deadpanned “Yeah, because I’m married to you.” She broke into even more laughter. Then it was my turn to cry, and not because I was happy. What a dis!
Finally, my son Sean and I were playing an intense game of hangman last night, in between our nightly ps2 game and hockey match. I savoured every moment, knowing that Sean would, as always, have nothing but positive and affirming things to say to Dad (especially if I let him win). Anyway, it was Sean’s turn to guess a letter and he guessed “K.” Now, those of you who know me know that my writing is atrocious. No one can read it, and my name somehow becomes “Clat” or “Clon” when I sign letters. In fact, we have a daily debate in the office as to who has the worst handwriting between me, Gerard, and Pat. There’s a reason why I type everything…even personal letters….haha.
After Sean ventured his guess, I quickly scribbled what I thought to be a nice-looking “K” on the side of the page housing all of the discarded letters. Sean looked at my contribution, looked me straight in the eye, and deadpanned “You call that a K? What kind of writing is that???”
Sean broke into laughter while I wondered how on earth my son, 27 years my junior, has better writing (and garners more respect) than his Dad. What a dis!
What is this??? I get no respect, I tell ya.
Respect permeates politics, religion, pop culture, and sports. We’re taught to respect the views, beliefs, and opinions of others…even if we don’t agree with them. Same goes for people too.
So how does one earn respect? By doing noble deeds? By serving others? By having an important job or role? Or by simply taking other people’s innocent barbs and laughing with them?
No one would ever accuse me of having a self-esteem problem. But after these latest encounters, even the most confident person would sympathize with Mr. Dangerfield. For instance:
I am blessed to be sponsoring my good friend Jen as she prepares to join the Catholic faith as part of the RCIA program at my home parish of St. Paul in Richmond. Last Friday, Jen participated in the Rite of Election, in essence saying she was electing to move towards Easter to receive her Sacraments of Initiation. It was a wonderful celebration, led by Archbishop Roussin.
During the social time after the Rite, I introduced Jen to Archbishop Roussin by saying “She is my catechumen.” Catching myself, I stated “Actually, she is God’s catechumen, I’m just here to help.”
To which Archbishop Roussin quickly deadpanned, “But ARE you???”
As everyone around us broke into laughter, I tried to think of a good comeback. But how do you come back at a bishop? What a dis!
Thankfully, we were interrupted by a group picture, taken by Chuck Luttrell, Director of the Office of Religious Education. After taking the picture, Chuck looked at the camera and deadpanned “I wonder why this camera is broken?” Looking at the subjects of the picture, he said “Oh I see. Clay was in the picture.” Everyone around us broke into laughter. I went for more cheese and crackers. What a dis!
I was driving downtown yesterday with Gail while on the phone with Faye. I signalled and made a rather quick (yet safe) lane change. While still talking to Faye, I told Gail “Please wave for me.” I thought that Gail knew I meant to wave to the driver of the vehicle in my rear view mirror, the one I just moved ahead of. She didn’t…instead Gail started waving randomly to people walking on the sidewalk. It was very funny, and I broke into laughter. Even Faye broke into laughter. And after explaining to Gail whom I meant her to wave to, she broke into laughter. A lot of it. So much she was crying.
So I sarcastically said to her, “It’s actually not that funny. You must not have a lot of joy in your life.”
To which Gail deadpanned “Yeah, because I’m married to you.” She broke into even more laughter. Then it was my turn to cry, and not because I was happy. What a dis!
Finally, my son Sean and I were playing an intense game of hangman last night, in between our nightly ps2 game and hockey match. I savoured every moment, knowing that Sean would, as always, have nothing but positive and affirming things to say to Dad (especially if I let him win). Anyway, it was Sean’s turn to guess a letter and he guessed “K.” Now, those of you who know me know that my writing is atrocious. No one can read it, and my name somehow becomes “Clat” or “Clon” when I sign letters. In fact, we have a daily debate in the office as to who has the worst handwriting between me, Gerard, and Pat. There’s a reason why I type everything…even personal letters….haha.
After Sean ventured his guess, I quickly scribbled what I thought to be a nice-looking “K” on the side of the page housing all of the discarded letters. Sean looked at my contribution, looked me straight in the eye, and deadpanned “You call that a K? What kind of writing is that???”
Sean broke into laughter while I wondered how on earth my son, 27 years my junior, has better writing (and garners more respect) than his Dad. What a dis!
What is this??? I get no respect, I tell ya.
posted by Clay at 3:29 PM
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