RESPECT: MANNERS MAKETH MAN

I was watching “The Kingsman” over the weekend for the “not-so-sure-how-many” time. Not just because Colin Firth and Samuel L. Jackson (this man can change any serious movie into a comedy) was in it, but because it had a really clear message. While funny, the movie does try to educate its audiences the meaning of behaving like a true gentleman.

A brief summary of the movie, Harry Hart (Colin Firth), is an agent for a secret organization called the ‘Kingsmen’. He recruits young Eggsy, a navy dropout-turned-petty criminal with dim future prospects, to join the Kingsmen. Eggsy also happens to be the son of Harry’s ex-comrade who died to save him. To repay Eggsy’s father, Harry trains Eggsy and teaches him the values of a true gentleman.

While the movie is downright comedic, the key point really shone throughout the entire film, that is to respect others, whoever they might be, regardless of where they come from. Status is not everything. Be it a janitor working the late night shift, or a successful entrepreneur earning big bucks, everyone deserves respect. Harry continuously shows respect to every character in the film, and is thus a gentleman in that very sense. Never, at any point, does he disregards Eggsy’s opinions, or mistreats him for his background. Instead he sees a “potential young man” and encourages Eggsy to improve his own life. He taught Eggsy that whoever you were before does not matter and should not stop you from pursuing a better future. Eggsy looks up to Harry as his mentor and respects him so much, striving to put in effort into becoming a good Kingsman agent, and more importantly, a gentleman just like Harry.

However, do not forget that respecting yourself first is as important as respecting other people. As the saying goes, respect for ourselves guides our morals; respect for others guides our manners. You respect yourself by appreciate your own wellbeing. Get into relationship that treats you the way you deserve, be able to negotiate your way of doing thing at work without undermining others, and be positive when you look at yourself in the mirror. When you respect yourself, you will be able to feel content and at the same time be proud of what you are .

I always believe that respect was never to be given to you, but it is earned on how you behave towards others. There’s a quote “treat people the way you want to be treated” but how many of us can really live to that motto? People nowadays are very busy obsessing over their own life until we forget other human beings that exist. We tend to forget little things that are equally important. We are sure alive but we forget how its like to be living .

Being respectful should be in our lifestyle. Your understanding of others difficulties, situation, and also appreciate the differences that other people have from you will create such a good environment in your life and at work. And you never know, maybe your act of kindness and respect towards someone may inspire them to respond in kind and treat others well too.

With that being said, I am definitely looking forward to another Kingsman sequel.

“To be one, to be united is a great thing. But to respect the right to be different is maybe even greater.”

Azalina A. Rahman

Deputy Chief Nursing Officer

KPJ Johor Specialist Hospital