Is respect earned or given?

[whoiam]

What do you guys think?

 

[phorsenuf]

I think respect is a given unless proven otherwise, then it is earned.
And I suppose it's based on circumstances. Hmmm.....lots of variables actually.

 

[peabody58]

Two types of respect:

Position - Given

Individual - Earned

Being able to separate the two while interacting with people can help get you through many difficult situations.

 

[roscoepc1]

Earned. Totally. I will treat my elders and superiors WITH respect, but I don't necessarily actually respect them until or unless they've earned it. There's a difference.

 

[happygirl]

earned

 

[Acklander]

I always give people my respect, unless they've earned my disrespect.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

I always give people my respect, unless they've earned my disrespect.

Pretty much the same way I treat others.

 

[Magic Mom]

It's given until you prove you don't deserve it.

 

[diznygirl]

Two types of respect:

Position - Given

Individual - Earned

Being able to separate the two while interacting with people can help get you through many difficult situations.

That's a good way of putting it. I respect certain positions without knowing the individual. But then there are individuals, regardless of their position, that earn my respect.

(Of course, once I know the individual in that position I may or may not give respect! )

 

[sparks19]

Given. You should ALWAYS treat people with respect or don't expect to be treated with respect yourself.

I slip up now and then but I always try to treat everyone with respect. it should be common sense to treat everyone with respect... maybe people would get along better if we didn't feel everyone had to EARN common decency

 

[Handbag Lady]

Earned.



Doesn't mean I can't be polite to everyone I first meet, but respect is earned.

 

[Goofyluver]

I can be very polite, kind and respectful without respecting you at all.

Respect is earned.

But you may or may not know whether or not you have earned mine.

 

[ilovemk76]

If you are in a position of power then I am expected to give you respect.

If I just meet you I will treat you respectfully but you still need to earn my long term respect.

 

[sparks19]

this is where I differ from most people lol

When I meet you you have my trust and my respect. it is given to you... it is yours to keep and yours to lose. once you lose it though it can be hard to get back. but right off the bat... you have it.

 

[LuvCuteBoys]

Earned. Totally. I will treat my elders and superiors WITH respect, but I don't necessarily actually respect them until or unless they've earned it. There's a difference.

I agree. I treat just about everyone with respect. But there are definitely people that I don't have an ounce of respect for.

I forgot to quote you, but sparks19... I WISH I was able to be that giving with my trust. It's a lot harder to earn my trust than my respect. Experience has taught me that freeling giving my trust only gets me hurt. I have a sign on my forehead, I think Trusting people makes me more vulnerable than I want to be.

I'm automatically going to be nice to people unless my initial encounter is horrible, and even then I'm willing to give the benefit of the doubt. But watching the way people treat others and being so disgusted with it so often, I'm very leery.

 

[whoiam]

this is where I differ from most people lol

When I meet you you have my trust and my respect. it is given to you... it is yours to keep and yours to lose. once you lose it though it can be hard to get back. but right off the bat... you have it.

I agree with this and everyone who said it's given then in some cases, lost.
The reason I ask is because my friend and I got into a debate about this. She said people had to earn it but IMO I feel like nobody really has that right to say you need to EARN their respect as we're all equal and should treat each other like it.

But then, we got on the discussion of what respect IS. I grew up thinking it was a common decency thing. You treat everybody with respect. But she said she believed it was solely admiration for someone or their talents, etc. I actually looked it up and the book definition is having admiration for someone. I just never thought of it like that. So I guess this is what it all comes down to. Just something interesting to think about!

 

[Charade]

I always give people my respect, unless they've earned my disrespect.

Agree

 

[sparks19]

I agree with this and everyone who said it's given then in some cases, lost.
The reason I ask is because my friend and I got into a debate about this. She said people had to earn it but IMO I feel like nobody really has that right to say you need to EARN their respect as we're all equal and should treat each other like it.

But then, we got on the discussion of what respect IS. I grew up thinking it was a common decency thing. You treat everybody with respect. But she said she believed it was solely admiration for someone or their talents, etc. I actually looked it up and the book definition is having admiration for someone. I just never thought of it like that. So I guess this is what it all comes down to. Just something interesting to think about!

Ok well by that definition I guess my admiration would be earned. I don't admire everyone I meet lol.

 

[ols386]

I always give people my respect, unless they've earned my disrespect.

I think this is a good way to view it.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I agree with this and everyone who said it's given then in some cases, lost.
The reason I ask is because my friend and I got into a debate about this. She said people had to earn it but IMO I feel like nobody really has that right to say you need to EARN their respect as we're all equal and should treat each other like it.

But then, we got on the discussion of what respect IS. I grew up thinking it was a common decency thing. You treat everybody with respect. But she said she believed it was solely admiration for someone or their talents, etc. I actually looked it up and the book definition is having admiration for someone. I just never thought of it like that. So I guess this is what it all comes down to. Just something interesting to think about!

I looked up respect and there are many different definitions.

#3 as a verb is how I view respect.

3. to show consideration for; treat courteously or kindly

1. an attitude of deference, admiration, or esteem; regard
2. the state of being honoured or esteemed
3. a detail, point, or characteristic; particular he differs in some respects from his son
4. reference or relation (esp in the phrases in respect of, with respect to)
5. polite or kind regard; consideration respect for people's feelings
6. (often plural) an expression of esteem or regard (esp in the phrase pay one's respects)

vb (tr)
1. to have an attitude of esteem towards; show or have respect for to respect one's elders
2. to pay proper attention to; not violate to respect Swiss neutrality
3. to show consideration for; treat courteously or kindly
4. Archaic to concern or refer to

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/respect