Asked the student: "Wise man, please explain why we say Grace before eating?"

Said the teacher: "To express our appreciation for nature and all the people involved in making that meal."

Claimed the student: "But don't we have to kill in order to eat? We aren't thankful for the ability to kill, are we? Doesn't that contradict an appreciation for nature?"

Asked the teacher: "How is it you think we aren't thankful for the ability to kill?"

Incredulously the student asked: "Yet you taught us to respect nature... to respect life before anything else. How is it that you can sit here and say you are thankful for killing?"

Explained the teacher: "Aren't our bodies fuelled by organic matter? Doesn't that organic matter come from animals and plants? Do they not need to die in order to serve as food?"

Answered the student: "Of course. That's caused by our place in the food chain. How can that be something to be thankful for?"

Said the teacher: "In your next incarnation, you might be that plant. You might be living your life, experiencing what it means to be a plant, and at some point you are sacrificed for some other being to live. Your life cut short, you won't achieve your goal, and you'll have to incarnate yet again to achieve it. I think you'd like it when the person ending your existence would show a bit of appreciation."

Confirmed the student: "That makes sense."

Continued the teacher: "However... having their life ended may be exactly the goal they seek. And because that in turn keeps us alive, we are thankful."

With that, they said Grace, and started their meal.

The other day during choir practice, while my section was trying to sing along with the teacher, some ladies from another section loudly discussed their music. So loudly, it annoyed and distracted my section.

Thus I spoke up angrily and told them to be considerate.

I did get their attention, and they did quiet down... but not after they looked at me like I was strangling their cat. The disgust and disapproval on their faces was telling.

Telling of their total lack of reciprocal respect. I'm quiet while they practice, because they paid to be present. I expect the same from them, since I too pay to be present.

I'm guessing these people aren't used to consider other people's rights, and especially aren't used to being told off by someone a third their age.