To all young ladies who are entering womanhood, have an expectation of respect. It all begins with you. You’re the one who sets the tone of behavior that others will follow with you. Surely be fun, engaging, witty and friendly. In other words, be yourself. But learn how to intuitively sense when someone is about to breach the respect barrier. This is something that all people (males also) should learn, but many don’t.
When you have an expectation of respect, you’re telegraphing the other person his limits. And that’s very important. It may be surprising to know that guys want limits also, but most don’t self-impose them. So again, it all begins with you. Doesn’t seem fair, does it? Maybe it’s not, but that’s kind of the way it is and has been for eons.
Now, what about guys who couldn’t care less about the limits you set? Walk away. I would like to say it’s as simple as that, but I know that’s not always the case. But walk away. That will give the guy time for it to sink in what he just lost. Maybe it would have been just a friendship, but there is real value in friendship. Regardless, you would have taken the high ground. And if a guy isn’t willing to climb to higher ground for you, then let him drift away. He may be back, he may not. But if he does come back it will be with a renewed appreciation for you.
One way or the other, respect is all about setting limits and living within them. And the good thing is, it gets easier.