Respect asks first. Entitlement just assumes.

STILLNESS

WHAT THIS MEANS

The tell is in the moment before, not in the behaviour itself. Borrowing a charger, a car, an evening of your time: the same act can be fine or grating depending entirely on whether a question was asked. Asking treats you as someone who might say no, which is what respect actually consists of. Assuming has already decided for you.

Notice who asks and who announces, and be the one who asks this week, even for small things. Where someone keeps assuming, say no once to something minor. One no resets the assumption faster than a conversation about it.

A QUESTION TO SIT WITH

What did someone take from you without ever asking?

Free, with nothing to buy inside it.