Take for granted

To take something (or someone) for granted is to give the thing or the person less value than they deserve, or to assume something about them. For example, I take it for granted that water will come out of my shower when I turn it on; I assume that this will happen.

When we talk about taking a person for granted, this is usually very negative. For example: He finally got tired of being taken for granted and decided to look for a new job. The idea here is that his boss, and maybe his workmates, didn't really pay attention to him or appreciate his value.

It's easy to take things for granted in your own culture. You're accustomed to everything, so it seems quite "normal"! This is one reason that traveling is so valuable: it gives you the chance to see other ways of life, and to question the things you take for granted.

I imagine that some of you have traveled this summer. Was there anything that you saw or experienced which made you reflect on your own culture, and the things we take for granted?