This week in Indigo, it made the whole experience a reflection of being patient and earning respect. The plane did make a landing and an elderly man appeared anxious. As airline staff attempted to warm him up, another passenger shouted at him and even described him as an “idiot.” For those who had seen this, it shocked the very moment too. Why do we have to treat older people with dignity (by not trying to insult them about what we should say to them?
The elderly passenger was very anxious before arriving at the airport and also looked very tired; this has not always been the case. His safety was assured by flight attendants. But not to this extent, another passenger showed his irritation and insulted the old man in front of all. For this kind of behavior to hurt the person in question, to fail compassion and empathy and to care for them in life.
Respecting elders is a basic principle of humanity. Every elderly person is someone’s parent or grandparent or older brother and sister and deserves care and patience. In front of people, not just is it rude to call your parents rude but it is a visual message. If somebody can abuse your elder much more publicly in front of strangers, then at home, how do your older family members handle it?
A moment of kindness as small as that can really change someone’s life, and to remember that we are all collectively to some extent, how we act in the right way. A little patience at every turn costs nothing, but it can ease a person of particular anxiety. And the heartbreak of harsh words does not heal, so long as that people are treated politely, and that the elders are mature enough to be treated as such.
Lessons to Learn
- Patience is key: seniors might take longer to grasp/react, on average, but they do need time and care with respect.
- Compassion matters: Just to be around if you’re not angry would ease out the overwhelm.
- Public behavior reflects values: How we treat strangers shows the kind of respect we hold for humanity.
The Indigo flight incident is a wake-up call for everyone. For every age group you want respect for elders it is a moral obligation. Hitting it off with an old man is never OK. For us as people we cannot only honor our elders, but the moral values that unite us as a society.
