That is for sure, respect is earned. Son does well at work, and that's probably why. He gets respect there because he is good at what he does. The family, though, is another story. We were all burned pretty badly by him, repeatedly and over a lot of years, and there hasn't been enough time and space since.
I just made my first trip to MA year before last. I met up with some Internet friends that I had known for nearly 10 years, but this was our first face-to-face. One of the ladies lives in South Australia, and was in the US on a tour, and she happened to have some free time while they were in Boston. We all met up in Framingham. It was a surprisingly lovely drive, through PA into NJ, then across the Hudson River on some little two-lane road in the middle of nowhere - I like taking scenic routes - into and through CT. All places I'd never been before. I enjoyed it so much! Thankfully it was in September, and there was no "weather" for this Southern girl to contend with. I got some looks, though, have to admit. Can't leave the accent at home when ya take off travelin'.