Look. Then look again.
The word respect derives from re, “back,” “again,” and specere, “to look.” So, in “respecting,” we are “looking again.” And that is how we impart esteem to others.
First looks don’t provide in-depth understanding of others’ personalities. Second looks do. In “respect,” we go beyond first impressions that can easily be misinterpretations or misreadings of personality.
First impressions fail to give a complete picture because each of us carries the baggage of our place of origin, our cultural bias, our mental, emotional, and physical makeup of the moment, and our ability to read new verbal and facial expressions. Of course, we recognize universal expressions, such as facial expressions associated with anger, but each of us exists on more subtle levels, so barring some intensely emotional circumstance or harmful action, first looks don’t serve us well.
Second looks give us insights into subtle underlying layers of personality. Maybe we should practice the double-take as our usual way of seeing others.
The word respect derives from re, “back,” “again,” and specere, “to look.” So, in “respecting,” we are “looking again.” And that is how we impart esteem to others.
First looks don’t provide in-depth understanding of others’ personalities. Second looks do. In “respect,” we go beyond first impressions that can easily be misinterpretations or misreadings of personality.
First impressions fail to give a complete picture because each of us carries the baggage of our place of origin, our cultural bias, our mental, emotional, and physical makeup of the moment, and our ability to read new verbal and facial expressions. Of course, we recognize universal expressions, such as facial expressions associated with anger, but each of us exists on more subtle levels, so barring some intensely emotional circumstance or harmful action, first looks don’t serve us well.
Second looks give us insights into subtle underlying layers of personality. Maybe we should practice the double-take as our usual way of seeing others.
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