Mike DomitrzPresident, Author, and Speaker on Respect, The Center for Respect, Inc. · Author & Speaker on Respect for Schools, Corporations, & the Military since 1990 (has reached

Treat them with kindness and with respect. #centerforrespect #mikedomitrz #respect #bekind

9 Sept 2024 · 1 min

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In this short monologue, the speaker reflects on the way people behave on social media, noting that many say things online they would never say face‑to‑face because they fail to recognize the humanity of the person on the other side. The speaker argues that respect and kindness should be offered unconditionally – not as a reaction to how others behave – because treating others with dignity reflects one’s own character. Even when someone, such as “Josh,” is disrespectful, the speaker maintains that responding with respect is essential, and that responding with kindness can actually aggravate an aggressor, serving as a strategic way to defuse hostility. The overall message is a call to consistently treat others with respect and kindness, regardless of how they treat you.

Chapters

People say things on social media they would never say face to face. Never. Which is usually when they're doing it, complete lack of understanding that this person on the other side of this is a human being who I need to treat with dignity and respect. And I'll get people going, well, what if they don't treat me with dignity and respect? So you still do because that's who you are. I don't stop treating Josh with respect because he says something that disrespected me, because if I start treating Josh with disrespect, that means I am somebody who disregards people, and that's not who I am. So disrespect me all you want, I'm treating you with respect. And by the way, if you are somebody who's like, well, get back at someone— you want to get back at someone? Treat them with kindness when they want you to be mad at them. You know, if you want to take that view, I don't believe in approaching it that way, but still, it's going to be true. They're going to be more aggravated if you're kind and respectful, ironically.