If you treat everyone with respect, why announce it?

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Recently an influencer posted something on all of his social media platforms:

“I was raised to treat the janitor with the same respect as the ceo.”

The posts were magnets for “likes.” But something about the statement bothered me, and I’ve been trying to put my finger on why I found it off-putting. My attempt to explain comes in the form of questions.

• Has the person who shares that they treat the janitor with the same respect as the ceo inadvertently telegraphed that they believe some jobs are less important than others?

• Is the respect they show the janitor a thinly veiled act of charity?

• And are they inadvertently supporting a societal view that someone’s worth should be defined by their salary and whether the job is “blue collar” or “white collar?”

  Don’t get me wrong. I am completely onboard with treating everyone with respect. But does doing so merit a special call-out?

  I’m still grappling with this one. I welcome your feedback.