In recent times, sadly, we have seen a lack of respect towards others in society. We have only to open a newspaper, listen to the news and there are far too many examples of disrespect.

Respect can mean different things to different people, but for me personally it means to show regard or consideration for someone or something.

It is critically important for our children to understand the importance of respect, so they can communicate effectively with others through their lives.

Schools may teach respect - however, it is parents who have the greatest influence over children. If a parent, for example, screams obscenities at the opposing side in a football game, then that influences the way the child will react in other situations.

Equally it is important to treat young people with respect, by truly listening to their point of view. We must also help them to appreciate and take care of their things by respecting their personal property and the environment in which they live by not dropping litter.

Good manners are also part of showing respect to others; it costs nothing to be polite and say ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ or hold a door open for someone.

I am sure we have all heard people speak to others in a derogatory way. While on holiday once in Africa I heard a customer ask the member of staff behind the bar for a drink. No ‘please’ or ‘thank you’. Just the word ‘beer.’ The only person who was let down in this situation was the customer, showing disrespect towards the barman.

I really enjoy sport, although I have to say I am not athletic and never have been. I particularly enjoy watching tennis and football, being a long standing fan of Manchester United. I have many fond memories of the Olympics last year, when as a family we were fortunate to get tickets. Not only was the sport excellent but the friendly respectful atmosphere created by the ‘Games Makers’ was a joy.

I do enjoy football, but one thing that really irritates me is when the players crowd around the referee, to try to influence the decision he is about to make. You rarely see this in other sports and for me the players are showing disrespect towards the referee.

Many youngsters look up to these players and take this as a cue that this sort of behaviour is acceptable, when in my view it is not.

‘Respect your elders’. This statement may seem all too familiar, but is it being followed today?

We will all hopefully be old one day and the elderly were once young. They have memories, their first job, their first love and mistakes they have made in their life. So they have much to tell and lessons to teach us.

They have lived through events that many of us can hardly imagine. Wars, depressions, life without computers and mobile phones. They have lived through history, they are real people with real stories and just because physically they may not be strong, does not mean that they do not deserve our respect.

In the same way we should respect those members of our community with disabilities and those of different ethnic origin or religion.

Respecting others’ opinions is part of respect. Respecting others’ opinions does not mean being untrue to one’s own views. It simply requires us to recognise that others are entitled to look at the world differently and that when they share their views with us, they can expect a fair hearing.

So showing respect for others is to try to go out of your way to treat everyone the same way, be kind to people and listen to others’ views. Albert Einstein once said: “I speak to everyone in the same way, whether he be a garbage man or the president of the university”.