There’s a great temptation to treat people based on our perception of how much they can help or hurt us. If someone comes across as important or powerful, we may go out of our way to be helpful, or at least try to not upset them. Perhaps it’s out of a desire—even an unconscious one—to enjoy the benefits that they could bring. Or it may come from a fear of what they could do if we cross them the wrong way.
But how do we treat those that come across as unimportant and powerless—those that are on the ‘lower’ rungs of society? Do we give them the same attention and concern, going out of our way to help or be friendly?
Showing preferential treatment based on perceived power or status may be quite natural, but there are a couple problems. For instance, we may be wrong in our perceptions. We may end up currying the favor of someone who doesn’t care and never reciprocates, while at the same time snubbing those who in the long run could have been of great help and benefit to us.
But even if our perceptions are correct, there’s an even deeper issue. Specifically, will how we treat others be consistent with what we say we believe? If we say that all men are created equal, and that each has dignity and value, then being impartial based on perceived status or ‘importance’ undermines our stated convictions.
This doesn’t mean we treat the influential or powerful poorly, but rather that we treat even the ‘lowest’ with the dignity we would if they had greater social status or influence.
Ultimately, it boils down to the ideal of treating others as we would want to be treated. And we know that regardless of what our perceived social status may or may not be at any given moment, we all like to be treated well.