General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Do you feel comfortable with your local cops? [View all]Honeycombe8
(37,648 posts)You are right. If you are snarky to a co-worker, you can expect some attitude back from him/her. It's human nature. If it's your boss and you're snarky, you may want to start looking for a new job, even if you do a good job. Respect for the boss or other authority figures is a requirement, until it's shown that it's not earned or warranted.
I was just raised that way. You call an authority figure ma'am or sir (less so these days, but still is the way it is in Court - I work in the legal business), you dress up a bit for church out of respect for the place of worship, you dress neatly and respectfully for funerals out of respect for the dead and his family, etc. Of course, showing up in work clothes because you can't go home to change is understandable and better than not going at all.
In Court you will find very wealthy lawyers popping up and down from their chairs constantly, as they address the Judge (they are required to stand when addressing the Judge), and call the judge ma'am or sir or your honor...even though the Judge may be a young whippersnapper who makes little money in comparison and is a minority (Asian or Af American or hispanic) compared to the older white millionaire lawyer. It's appropriate, respectful behavior for the Court system and the Court and the Judge.
I saw a bit of a dressing down in Court this week, when a man (white, older, portly) came into Court to represent himself in a proceeding. The Judge - Af. American young female. The man came into Court in grungy work clothes. She handled his matter briefly, as he and another stood in front of her bench. After it was over, she held him back for a moment and mentioned that he was dressed inappropriately for Court. He apologized and explained. She smiled and was nice and said she understood but that in the future he should make an effort to dress more appropriately. She was right. How you dress tells others what you think about where you are. So does how you act and speak.