I'm soon going to start nysc serving in an office. from my experience with IT, young people get disrespected just for being young people. apart from being competent, what can I do to reduce the level of disrespect I'll receive

Talk less and listen more!

Don’t smile at everything while being professional


The moment you start talking much and laughing like a jackal, fvck is already in your abode.

Present yourself and offer your services in such a manner that is of so much quality that it would be unlikely, strange or unexpected that anyone would disrespect you.

Respect is earned, so do not expect to be respected because you're a corper. You have to make yourself respectable.

Dress neatly. Sloppy dressing will present you as a big teenager with little sense of maturity.

Don't join in useless talks or gossip. The kess you talk the more you will be respected.

Face your job. Don't be a walkabout corper.

Be professional is your assignment. Be a person of value and make impactful contribution to the organisation.

Talk to people with respect. They will reciprocate.

What you expect is what you will get according to the principle of "Self-fulfilling Prophecy". So expect to be respected.

These are few principles I can share with you for now.

Good luck

Be mysterious.
Be unpredictable.