Respect goes a long way

by James Kong
School of Pharmacy

It’s debatable how we define ‘respect’ as individual perception often varies. However, these definitions share a similarity—a sense of worth or esteem. Regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, gender and nationality, this virtue has been incorporated into our lives since young. It’s customary to develop respect for elders or someone whom we admire. Parents, teachers, leaders and authorities are cases in point. But the question that we need to answer is: how do we earn respect?

Over the century, the world has metamorphosed from a culture of character to a culture of personality. Social admiration has shifted from private honour to public perception, leading to the inevitable rise of popularity among friends or within our social circles. This proposition has caused most of us to disregard the basic component of our moral compass feasibly.

When I was in secondary school, I often took the initiative to greet my teachers or assist them in clerical tasks — carrying books to the office, marking attendance and distributing handouts to my classmates. They may have seemed like small gestures, but they often turned frowns into smiles. I took it as a privilege to be at their beck and call. It was my way of repaying them for their noble deeds — acquainting us with vast knowledge of the world.

Occasional compliments about their teaching approaches or lessons will reflect your appreciation of them. As a result, I made a remarkable impression which encouraged them to pay more attention to my well-being and grades in school. They were willing to spare extra hours to guide me on the academic subjects I struggled with. It’s pretty ironic that they showed genuine interest in my life.

When I was in form 3, my father passed away due to severe pneumonia, and I was in the depths of despair. Although I have been an emotionally strong person who stands up to predicaments, that news hit me real hard, as if my soul had been crushed into pieces. Not only had my teachers donated generously for my father’s funeral, but they would sit down with me in person to comfort me. I received phone calls from them after working hours asking how I was coping with grief.

Over time, I felt that their actions had transcended the job description. I owe them a great debt of gratitude for being a beacon in the darkness and for their continuous support.

Many might ponder what drives our teachers to go the extra mile and what makes them develop an interest in our lives. It all boils down to respect. When their blood, sweat and tears have been acknowledged, they will be feeling on top of the world, which fuels their passion for spending more time or effort on a person.

Respect is not something that we can learn, like memorising facts or passing an exam. It’s an attribute that we have to cultivate through experience. Don’t ever underestimate the value of respect because it might make a huge difference in your life!