Mutual Respect...That's what it's all about in the end.
What use is there for me to say you *must* accept me as I am? No-one must do anything.
However, I would *like* you to accept me as I am. I don't *want* it, no, I'd *like* it.
Okay, so, I'm always gonna be *me*. That's what you'll have to do with.
But interacting with people always requires a certain form of adapting. It's something that happens on different levels; the subconcience being one of them.
You adapt automatically, according to the level of authority a person exhumes. So, people often adapt more to me than I do to them. It's not something I do on purpose. It's an automated shifting within a person. A sixth sense, if you want.
But like it says in the topic's title: it's a two way thing. If you want me to treat you the way you are, I expect the same from you towards me.
It's called respect.
Usually a word I seriously dislike, because often the word respect is used in a totally different context, like, in the army or at work.
In the aformentioned, people expect that you respect them because of their rank or seniority.
Well, that's the kind of respect I disrespect. That kind of respect needs to be earned by me. I'll be the judge -for myself- if those stripes or stars make you respectful. I'll see for myself if that seniority or rank was granted for what you did or because you tricked your way up the ladder.
But, I'll respect you -except when you're a fake- as a human being. For *who* you are. Not for *what* you are. Get that? Okay.
So, I hope, now that we're on the level, that you'll take me as I am, for who I am.
And like I said, I'll be glad to do the same...
Because in the end, it's not about *me*, but rather about *us*. And I do mean *all* of us.