Why do people say respect is earned?

[Anonymous]

I think praise is earned. Admiration is earned.

Respect is a given, for example let's say someone is in a lowly profession (i. e. a garbageman) does that mean they will never get respect?

A teacher of mine used to make fun of garbagemen. Now I see how insensitive that person was.

[dovendyret]

I think everyone deserves to be treated with respect but I don't think everyone is deserving of my respect.

There's a difference there.

I'll respect that you're an indivual with your own life experiences & perspective of life. I'll respect that we might not agree on things and I'll treat you how I would like to be treated by others. But to gain my respect, your actions, your behaviour - who you are has to be something I respect. It has to align somewhat with my values and morals.

Heck, I can even feel respect for some qualities in a person & at the same time have zero respect for that indivual.

[petitedollbabee]

You’re not going to respect someone without knowing them. If they’re a horrible person, they don’t deserve your respect. But if they’re nice, then they get respect. It doesn’t matter what job position they have, or what relationship they have with you (family, friend etc), if they’re a terrible person, they don’t have my respect.

[Asker]

A lot of people don't think that way and base respect on profession education etc.

[petitedollbabee]

I don’t understand why people would base respect off of a job. Anyone is capable of getting a job. But not everyone is a decent person.

[AngryCarl]

I think of it like a video game. Everyone starts with maximum respect, then their respect goes down a bit every time they indulge in douchebaggery.

Douchebaggery includes disrespecting people you don't even know.

[NathanDavis]

because genuine respect is earned... after finding it is worth

never before

[Sour-rose]

Because giving out respect of that co-worker you have worked with 3 days... is usually not going to happen. You don't know wtf she has done or anything about her. All you know is her name is "Beatrice." So when you can see something admirable about someone, they gain your respect. Having something admirable or something that makes you special makes think you "earn their respect". Which can be easily lost as well. Soo that's why the probably say that

[jennifer_bloom]

I never understood that phrase either but I think some people use that term loosely when what they really believe is respect should be given to people who act in ways they consider to meet their threshold of appropriate actions.

[Alwayreckles93]

Respect is earn depending on that person's actions not race , religion or financial statues.

[Hispanic-Cool-Guy]

When people say respect is earned they aren't talking about jobs and careers but rather what kind of character a person has.

[dudeinohio]

Respect is a privilege that must be earned.