Respect your elders?

Why do some old people believe that because they are old they should automatically get respect? I believe in respecting all people, as long as they show respect in return. Some people insist we should respect our elders at all times and that this country has lesser morals if we don't. Do they stand by this when older people do not show them respect?!

I sometimes have panic attacks, which tend to be worse in crowded places. Supermarkets at Christmas for example. I had had a panic attack! I did not insist I should push to the front of the queue because of my mental or physical problems. I queued for half an hour, like everybody else.
When I was second in the queue, an old woman walked in front of my trolley and was about to put her shopping on the conveyor belt. I asked if she was with the people in front of me. She turned forwards and ignored me. Again I said "Excuse me, are you with the people in front of me?". To which she replied "No, so what?". I then politely informed her that I had been queuing for half an hour.

Her reply was "Well I am old".

This is when I got annoyed. My response was "And I am disabled and in pain and I have been queueing for half an hour". To which she responded "But I am old".

My questions then was; "But does this give you an automatic right to push in front of me?"

She then informed me that because she was old and only had a few bits, she should be allowed to go in front of me, as she would be quick. I then asked if her why she thought that this would entitle her to push in front of me in a supermarket queue.
Her eloquent response was and I quote was "Oh Get Lost You!!!". Then she stormed off.
The thing is, if the woman had said politely asked if she could go in front of me because she only had a few things I would have let her. I have asked people before if they would like to go in front of me if I have a trolley and they only have a few items.

I do believe we should not blindly follow sayings such as "Respect Your Elders". We should use our own discretion in each given situation. Respect, but only when respect is due!!!!