"Have courage to leave the table, when respect leaves the room"

Imagine you are sitting in a restaurant, waiting for your order, but the waiter walks past you again and again. You try to attract attention, but it seems like you are invisible. This scenario is not only frustrating in a restaurant, but also an apt metaphor for situations in life where respect is lacking. It is a sign that it might be time to leave the table.

The first indicator that it is time to stand up is when you notice that you are not being heard. You're sharing your thoughts and ideas, but it's like talking to a wall. In a team meeting, for example, where your input is consistently ignored, it's like being in that restaurant where the waiter doesn't even give you a glance.

A second signal is lack of appreciation. You work hard, do your best, but your efforts are never recognised. It is like being a ghost in a house - present but invisible and unappreciated. This can occur in both professional relationships and personal interactions, and it feels like you are constantly in a shadow.

Finally, if you do not feel comfortable in the environment you are in, this is a clear indication that it is time to leave. If you spend more time fretting about how you are being treated than actually being productive, then you are in a situation akin to sitting on a chair full of nails - painful and untenable.

Deciding to leave the table does not mean giving up, it means choosing an environment where you get the respect you deserve. It is a sign of strength, self-respect and self-love. Because ultimately, if you don't stand up for yourself, who will? So leave that disrespectful table and find a place where you are welcomed, appreciated, and most importantly, respected. There is bound to be a table somewhere where not only the respect, but also the steak is just right.