RESPECT and RECOGNITION

These two words means almost the same thing because whoever you respect you are likely going to recognise but it is possible to recognise like in an official situation and not respect. We value respect as well as recognition as human beings and we look out for anyone who disrespect or do not recognise us and vice versa. But think of the popular saying that respect is reciprocal so does recognition beget recognition.
As individuals what do we look for in an individual before he truly deserves our respect and recognition? Do we respect on the basis of age or what the individual is? We cannot as human being deny the fact that what an individual is goes a long way to determine our recognition and respect we give to a fellow. On the basis of age in many lands people earn respect while in some lands it is not strictly so. I have come to a point that an individual earn respect most times for what they are. A poor old man may not in most cases earn respect from people. A Chief executive will not because of age of his messenger address him as sir in the morning. If he is too humble to do that then he would not do that in the presence of his fellow chief executive officers. Respect is 'sweet' and smoothen interpersonal relationship. Recognition is a motivation for better performance at workplaces.
Many people based their respect on what an individual is than who he is. That is the sad aspect of relationship. In Lagos where I live as soon as people see you in some places they immediately concluded that because you are there with them then you don't deserve respect even if it is obvious that some circumstances placed you where you are. They may be able to guess you are not on the same social strata as they are but because you at the present in the same place there is no reason for them to believe you are not in the same level or nearly the same level. In professional circles age count little; between a teacher and his students age count a little; at workplaces age is hardly taken as basis for respect. On the whole what you are count a lot on the extent and kind of respect and individual gets. Within family circles age should count but not in many lands. We express respect in many ways: in the kind of words we use in conversation; greetings/salutations; gestures; and other dealings. It is certain that where individuals can fathom good reasons to relate then relationships will be better and if workplaces then work will smoothly be done. In families and in other places of human grouping respect and recognition are very important to living. Good words can be used to build good relationships and hence earn an individual recognition. Where mutual respect is absent or difficult to define among people then set back of things and people is most likely. The dental profession is a place mutual respect and recognition is a big issue and this is global and till date no one seem to have given it serious attention in order to solve the problem. I use to think it is only in the dental profession alone but discovered it cuts across professions but at the background of all issues about respect and recognition are the reasons advanced above. The world will surely be a better place to leave in with mutual respect.