Even Dory and Fia, who are only children, can't be bothered to respect Ruth: they knowingly spoil their appetites on junk food, ensuring that they won't be able to enjoy or appreciate the dinner Ruth has prepared for them. Furthermore, Art can't be bothered to defend his partner against his daughters. Everyone takes Ruth for granted. Ruth's failure to defend herself perpetuates the lack of respect her family has for her, too. To make matters worse, Ruth can't even turn to her mother for support, since LuLing implicitly blames the disrespect on Ruth's failure to marry Art.