It's a secret third option, I suspect. You stated that everyone is equal so (by my interpretation) they meant to show you the difference between theory and practice. As in "if you've ever worked in the service industry you'd have experienced first-hand that often you are not treated as an equal".
Everybody is equal, but many assholes don't see it that way.
Edit: nevermind. Just got to the other comments further down and am shown, again, the folly of giving the benefit of the doubt.
Please, I have been nothing but nice. I have been treated badly by people for working under them. There is a clear hierarchy of power between a boss and an employee.
No, from your words alone I can tell you're in a position where you have people under you, and you believe they should "know their place".
Propagating what you're claiming you experienced yourself is a surefire way to prove you are acting haughty and any of your "points" should be discarded outright.