Earrings

My wife and I recently had an opportunity to be out of town for the weekend and to dine in a really funky restaurant. While waiting for our table, I went to the bar and ordered a drink. I'll admit, when I first laid eyes on the bartender, I was taken aback.

He had a strange haircut, wore long women’s earrings, and, probably most glaring to me, he had highly polished black painted fingernails. I was genuinely a bit shocked, but before you jump to the conclusion that I am going to make some crude or snarky comment about him, or a make a statement that the world is going to Hell, hear me out.

After my initial impression, I consciously stopped myself and realized that if we want to be respected by others, then we need to give respect. Of course, respect comes in various forms, many of which must be earned. However, I firmly believe that every human being deserves a fundamental level of respect, simply by virtue of being human. Ultimately, if I am not willing to give my fellow human that basic respect, then I have not earned nor am I entitled to that person’s respect.

In the end, after stopping myself from making all types of judgments about this person, who he is and what his values are or are not, and once I took a moment to open my mind, I started a conversation with him that I truly enjoyed. It was a valuable reminder that we don't have to be like-minded to appreciate and connect with one another.