Is respect really earned, not given?

[Anonymous]

Supposedly, respect is earned, not given, but, sometimes I feel that's wrong

[AlexanderAnttila]

Why then, what entitles someone automatically to respect? And if we parcel out respect like a "right" to anyone, doesn't it become pointless and loose it's meaning like inflating a currency.

[Skankhunt]

I treat everyone respectfully, unless they are disrespecting me. In that cas someone has to earn it.

Trust has to be earned.

[douride2]

I treat most people with respect until they give me a reason not to. THEN they have to earn it back.

[edgykid19]

i treat people respectfully until they give me a reason to get disrespectful

[Asker]

so that begs the question, why should you become disrespectful at all. if you're already a respectful person, why are you changing your attitude?

[edgykid19]

it’s not my attitude, it’s that i want to be respected. for me, respect is a basic tenet of life. i suppose disrespectful is the wrong way to describe it. if someone gets disrespectful with me, i’ll confront them back. if that makes sense

[versatilewaterfall]

If you truly wanna respect someone from your heart then the respect needs to be earned. You have to feel inside your heart that the other person deserves your respect.

[answerseeker127]

It's always true.