Respect

[marcde]

.....to me it means Aretha Franklin's best ever song.

 

[Orlandude]

First off, I would not confuse respect with common courtesy. Just because I say hello to someone does not mean I like or respect them. I will say hello to a stranger in the street if we are sharing the same sidewalk. I only address someone as "Sir", "Maam", "Mister" or "Miss" because I don't know their name. Has nothing to do with respect but it's better than calling them "Hey you", "chick" or "dude".

Respect is EARNED, not freely handed out. Courtesy is courtesy. Even if I dislike someone intensely, I will still say hello to them if the situation warrants it. That's not being two-faced, it's just showing some courtesy and dignity. There are a couple people at work that I LOATHE but I will still say "Good Morning" or "Good Night".

Respect is an "attitude". It is the regard for the sense of worth or excellence of a person. For example, I may respect your sense of fairness or I may respect your opinion on a particular subject because you have somehow demonstrated to me that you deserve the respect. In school, I respected many of my professors. It did not necessarily mean that I liked them as people, but I respected their wisdom and opinions. Conversely, I think if you love someone, you must also respect them for who they are. Love without respect is not love.

 

[Andreus]

there are different levels of respect for different levels of intimacy. they are also expressed differently in differing environs.

strangers are entitled to absolute politeness at all times. that is what people in civilized societies do.

You don't lie to close friends, but you don't give them difficult information in front of strangers either

as far as online freindships and behaviors ?

being polite is not giving respect to an individual... its being respectfull to the group of us

no one has the right to unburden themselves at the expense of another person or people being burdened.

that is called selfish, and there is no respect in that, especially self respect.

there are many polite ways of saying just about anything, even harsh judgements, and the new trend of using the anonymity of the internet as a veil to be rude is simply unaceptable IMHO

respect is long earned and seldom given by me. it is a rare and real thing in my mind.

common decency and politeness are things i constantly strive for and hate myself for when i fall short.

 

[justsimon]

I was just trying to explain respect to my daughter the other day. She's four so it was kind of difficult...

I try to show respect to everyone, no matter how much I dislike them. I don't think anything is accomplished by rudeness. This doesn't mean I'm above putting someone in their place with a well timed comeback, but it does mean I'll give them a chance to redeem themself before issuing said comeback.

In my mind, showing respect is different from respecting someone. Showing respect, for me, comes out of a genuine belief in the inherent goodness of humanity. I want to perpetuate kindness. This isn't me being fake. If I don't like someone they'll know, but I won't be a jerk about it and I will try to respect their right to be the way they are.

Respect with a capital R is something that has to be earned.

 

[spooger]

First off, I would not confuse respect with common courtesy. *clip*

Exactly. I will say hello, hold a door, offer assistance, or perform any number of courtesies for anyone regardless of gender or age. That's just common courtesy.

Respect must be earned....regardless of who the individual is....parents, teachers, bosses, politicians, clergy....whomever.

For me, that earned respect places that person in a different regard....I will seek their counsel, advice and their returned respect. In a way, once I respect a person, he or she becomes somewhat of an icon or role model for me.

I love my parents because they granted life to me, but I respect them because they are decent, loving, honest people and they taught me their own standards and morals.

As an example, I respect the office of the President, but the person who occupies the office must earn respect by their actions. I respect law enforcement for the public service they provide, but the person wearing the badge must earn my respect through proper actions.

And so on. I hope that makes sense....you have struck upon a complex concept......

 

[seven_sins]

treat people the way you want to be treated.

vamagnifique, your answer sums it up for me.

 

[Croynan]

What does respect mean to you?

I don't call ANYONE I respect "Mr." or "ma'am", and sometimes I don't even say thanks and other stuff. They know I respect them because I SHOW it instead of telling them. (various ways, and none having to do me sacrificing anything in vain)

so, what does respect mean to you?

I may be wrong but your behaviour is a contradiction of your own actions. By not addressing someone who should be addressed as Mr., Ms., Ma'am, you are basically placing them in the position of being a non entitiy. If they have treated you respectively then you have a responsibility to behave in the same manner.

If you want to truly treat someone with respect, ask them their first name and as you talk with them, make sure you use their name. (I have just had an example of this regarding a new dr. I am seeing. He called me Mr. I asked him to please call me by my first name. He turned around and said, call me Rich, my first name. We are now on a first name basis - and the respect that is due him has not be damaged or destroyed.) I have done this with all of the nurses at the doctor's offices I go to. I do the same with the people who assist me at the market I go to. I do not consider the fact that I am a patient and or a customer places me in a different social status then these people. You would be amazed at how much these individuals appreciate being treated in that manner - and quite often, without ever asking me, they have done various things for me that they did not have to do. I respect these people and appreciate what the services and efforts they make on my behalf.

 

[bacchus]

respect is a state of mind, which is separate and completely different from common courtesy/being polite. the two rarely have anything (truly) to do with one another

you can be courteous and polite to someone you can't possibly respect (ex: my manager and i), and you can respect someone without being polite (ex: my best friend and i)

politeness and political-correctness go hand in hand, but neither has to do with having respect for a person, his/her views, his/her actions

 

[Nonimus]

To me respect just means those little considerations for someone else that might put me out very slightly for a few moments but makes their life momentarily easier/more pleasant and reflects in a positive manner upon myself.

 

[marcde]

To me respect just means those little considerations for someone else that might put me out very slightly for a few moments but makes their life momentarily easier/more pleasant and reflects in a positive manner upon myself.

Pure Poetry