Entitlement is the state of being entitled. Entitled means that you are owed certain things or certain behaviors just for being who or what you are.
The Queen of England is entitled to service and esteem from the English people.
Most people are not entitled to that level.
Police officers are entitled to respect, even if its a begrudging form of it, from the people they are sworn to protect. They have earned this entitlement because they have sworn to serve and protect the people.
A similar thing applies to Fire fighters. If a Firefighter tells you to get out of the building, you do it, because you know they are going to be running into it to put out the fire.
Entitlement is not for everyone.
We are not all the Queen, or in positions of authority or protection. Children are entitled to the right to dream and dream big. That doesn't mean that a thirteen year old girl deserves or will get a laptop for Christmas. She is entitled to ask, but thats kind of it. (The same thing goes for her brother, who wanted a $250 toy x3...)
Many of the simple problems that we face day to day could be simply resolved if people would let the idea that they are owed something fall by the wayside.
No, actually, I do not have to give you my parking space or the right of way because you have a more expensive car than I do.
Neither do you have the right to demand my time and attentions when you don't care about my life or my loved ones enough to ask or listen or care to ask about them. Don't bother me with trite worries about your world when you don't give a hoot about my life. I'm not a psychologist. They make a lot more than I do.
On the same token, people are all entitled basic respects.
Be courteous to people. Hold the door open for people behind you (especially if they're carrying a large box).
Be honest. If you're not happy in a relationship, don't cheat on them, separate and see if that clears up the problem. Tell them the truth in a gentle way and work on your problems together.
Take responsibility for the bad as well as the good. If you screw up, own up to it and work with whoever it effects to make you both satisfied with the outcome. It takes two to tango.
And finally, remember that we're all people with hopes and dreams and aspirations. No one is better than anyone else. Its all the amount of work that you put into your endevors that determines your amount of success. Be nice, work hard, and you'll earn the right to be entitled.
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