Respect Should Be Earned ...

AFoolLostinParadise: A recent post declared an often used expression which makes me wild ...

- 'Shouldn't respect be earn't and not automatically granted?' -

Well, right away, a miniscule amount of respect was lost for him/her when the word 'earn't' was typed. lol

Anyways, i claim that statement is backwards and would be far, far better like this - everyone should be respected up front and only lose respect thru either their actions or words.

If we all had to earn respect from nothing, well ..., i doubt we would ever have found a need to create the word in the first place.

2 questions - agree or not agree? And, do u live the way u answered the first question (be honest now)?

___paige___: wholeheartedly agree

Rayn92: well,that isn't too much already.

misanthrose: I disagree. However, there is a difference between true respect and common courtesy (which I believe should be shown to everybody).

Teece: Well said Misathrose! I think the poster of this thread is getting respect confused with common courtesy.
My personal respect is given to people through thought or deed - its never instant upon meeting them.....
They could be a serial killer for all I know..............

svsurfer: Im with these two ^^

StuckInTheSixties: Hey, I'll give a serial killer all the respect he wants. I don't wanna be next on the list.

bahcatha: I feel respect has to be earned.

GlassReaper: Everyone should be treated with courtesy but respect is something deeper that grows through relationships. I treat everyone well but I do not feel respect for everyone until they give me reason to. I'm struggling to describe the difference I see between courtesy and respect but I hope I've touched on it...

CowboysLbug: Respect is trust. It is earned and lost, common courtesy is freely given in hopes of earning trust. Without faith in another humanity would be without empathy.

I Am Sharky: IF you don't TRUST and RESPECT how does 1 expect to find a "quality" friend??

CowboysLbug: friendship grows and that is why it is important to have common courtesy to give some one the oppourtunity to continue to earn your respect and become great friends (like the friendship you are inquiring about)

I Am Sharky: As a "Giver" there are NO limits to what they desire!!

CowboysLbug: My limits do not go beyond my own personal morals. Everyone is different and has to decide how much to respect another. In the begining of a friendship you give trust freely in hopes of gaining trust and if the other person earns your trust it should in turn allow you to respect them equivalent to the trust given, there is a correlation there.
A relationship is always changing as each person grows, you never know where the full potential of a friendship will reveal itself because your relationship with another will change and grow as each person changes and grows.
That being said, there are times where trust is broken. Trust broken may be forgiven but you may find it difficult to let the friendship grow past where the trust was broken and that is the level of respect that you are willing to give based on your lack of trust.
These choices are based on your own morals of what you perceive to be right and wrong. The ability to trust and be happy with your choices depends on how much you respect yourself. For example a co-dependent is not able to trust his/her choices and often lets others walk all over them. (lack of respect)

AINZELBABY71: Respect is something that people earn. You want respect, you got to give respect. There are some who want respect from others, but are not willing to give it back. Life just doesn't work that way. Basically, how you carry yourself as a person, definitely does reflects on how ppl will treat you.

Qz: I believe a certain amount of common courtesy and respect should be given to everyone. A greater amount of respect can be earned, but respect for another human being is essential for a civilized society, regardless of what we know of them. Just my opinion.

Wampum6: Well stated, and very true in my opinion, QZ!

☀▃▂▁/V\iragε▁▂▃☀: I respect everone at first..... Young and old... I firmly believe in a clean slate when meeting someone. The only thing that can be gained is the LACK of respect for a person due to actions, thoughts & deeds over time.

LiptonCambell: I'd say QZ's got the answer- I agree with common courtesy, but the idea that everyone gets respect without actually earning it makes my head spin.....

thor1112010: Respect should be earned. All humans have no standing with me until respect is earned. Standing has consequences with me.