Responding to a gesture or action made towards you by making a corresponding one.
The fact of feeling or behaving towards someone else, in the same way as they feel or behave towards you.
It is the most basic of expectations when you are in an established relationship with someone. After all, why wouldn’t your partner want to treat you the same way you treat them.
This concept forms the very foundation of good old-fashioned manners which, summed up, is consideration for others.
Reciprocation generally does not apply based on the emotions the recipient has for the giver, but by the very act of kindness, the gesture or act freely gives, warrants mutual or equal treatment in return.
This is not to be mistaken with the notion of giving simply to receive, but rather an automatic assumption that in a relationship the understanding that such acts as fidelity, respect, consideration will be reciprocated, constitutes an unwritten rule of reciprocation.
One-sided relationships, will naturally be plagued with feelings of disappointment, hurt, unappreciation and will in time, if left unresolved, morph into mistrust, contempt and even resentment.
Let’s be mindful of how we treat others and let’s not forget the wise words of the ancient Chinese philosopher Confucius when he advised,
“Never do to others what you would not like them to do to you.”
