The bell rings, signaling the beginning of lunch. Students crowd around the cafeteria and pour into the lunch room, pushing, shoving, and even cutting through the lines to be the first to get food. The lunch staff attempts to control the chaos, but no one seems to hear or pay attention. By the end of lunch, the cafeteria and courtyard are trashed, and the only people standing are the janitors left to clean up the mess.

Where is the respect?

Respect is a consideration for one’s feelings and rights. If a student were to fall in the hallway, another student would have a regard for their feelings, making sure they are okay. These are simple things that many students can do, yet the concept is forgotten.

Respect is not just an issue in the cafeteria; it is a problem for many adults and students. There are moments during the school year where teachers get some respect, like Teacher Appreciation Week, but in general, that seems to be the last thing on anyone’s mind.

How many times a day do you complain to everyone about how much homework you have, that you stayed up till three in the morning, and how much your life stinks because of school? It is the same thing every day. Complaining a little is okay, but no one needs to know this every day, and over-focusing on yourself disrespects other people.

Instead, ask how they are doing. If tired like yourself, then you have something to relate to, but try not to always make it about yourself. Be considerate. If you have a problem and need to vent to someone, that is fine. Everyone has problems and need to discuss it sometimes.

Say hi to people you know in the hallways, or even give a smile. Not a creepy smile or a crazy smile, just a little smile to let people know that you care.

The decrease in respect is not just occurring on campus, but also nationally. In order to stop this trend, it starts with you. If no one seems to be respecting you, respect them first. Because once you start respecting a person, soon they will start respecting you and realize that you care about them. Taking initiative and being the first to change shows maturity and will result in getting respect.

Disrespect also comes from talking bad about others when students make offensive jokes. If a student were to make a racist joke about an African American, you not only disrespect them but also yourself. For each crude joke a person makes, their own respect for themselves dwindles until there is none left. You also decrease the amount of people who have respect for you.

Not only are racist jokes a huge disrespect factor, but other people make jokes about ethnic groups, such as Muslims. The classic “all Muslims are terrorists” jokes are very disrespectful and have no place in school or outside. Again, you disrespect them and yourself.

When you start to respect people around you, slowly but surely, people will begin to respect everyone else. Soon enough, students and teachers will one day have respect for one another if people start taking that initiative.

As the holidays draw near, it is vital to help spread the cheer that comes with it. Even if it’s just wishing everyone around you happy holidays, it shows that you care and are into the spirit. By spreading the Christmas spirit, you demonstrate respect to those around you and make it to Santa’s nice list.

Earn some respect this holiday with a simple act of kindness for someone you know. It can be holding a door, making a homemade present, making a card or bake cookies and share them with everyone. This is a simple way of showing that you care and respect that special someone.

If you are willing to go the extra mile, you could even help a friend out who is stressed for finals by helping them study or just being a shoulder to cry on.

Therefore, respect the campus by picking up trash during lunch, respect others by being considerate and above all else, respect yourself.