A cold world......

[Rota]

I wasn't meaning it in the way

I didn't think you meant it in that way. But, there are people that genuinely have that attitude.


RIGHT) Everyone gets respect, but disdain can be earned.

WRONG) You better work to get on my good side if you want to earn my respect.

[LadyKatherine]

Respect shouldn't be earned, it should be an implicit part of any human interaction. Now, if you are dealing with a person who has proven themselves to you in the past as being a turkey, then factor that into your interaction accordingly. But interactions should start with respect. I teach high school, and I see a lot of kids who give no respect to any adult on campus, and hide behind the excuse of "respect has to be earned". But that's not reality. If I met your grandmother, I'd be respectful to her even if that was our first interaction.

I couldn't agree more. Too many young people are of the belief that 'you say I must earn respect, then so do you'...and I've had that said to me one or two times as well I am always overjoyed when i see a young person being respectful and courteous...they are out there, but unfortunately, many mask their goodness because of the expectations of the younger society of today. Hands together for those people out there (young or older) who take the time to remember the days when respect wasn't challenged or questioned, but rather, an important part of everyday life. Rights and freedoms yes, but that doesn't mean society can run roughshod over rules and expectations. To me, respect is an unwritten rule, unless someone gives you a reason NOT to respect them.
As for a purse on the floor in front of an elderly person...I would never hesitate to help, that's just courteous and frankly, I would do it because I feel it's the right thing to do. One day I too may be in that position, and I should hope that 'someone' out there would also be as courteous. Imagine a society of people who only put their own needs first? Frightening.

[BrotherhoodUK]

It's fairly simple.

People today don't know what public manners are. They don't CARE about others, and that's what this capital-loving, wealth-inducing world does to people's attitudes. Some not very well-off people I know are possibly the most generous, kind people I've met. It's the opposite when it comes to wealthy people.

It's not the same as it was even 50 years ago, when neighbours actually knew each other and were good friends (usually).....

The world's changed.

For better or for worse, that's the question......

[Willer]

You got my respect.. !

I do the same, still give up my seat for an elderly person on the bus.
They had it much harder than we do today, and in my book should automatically get respect.. ;-)

[Lord Arumen]

Respect; esteem: the condition of being honored.

I think respect can be automatic, but it can also be earned. You honor (respect) thy mother and thy father (to quote that one book...). This obviously applies to grandparents and the like. At the same time, respect should be earned in situations in which it has been lost. Do we respect men who run from battle? Do we respect politicians that have lied to us? how about criminals? Dirty cops? Where do we draw the line? As much as we hat to admit it, these sorts of people are human- although life would be much simpler if they weren't. If we say that we should respect everyone, can we actually do it?

[Skirata]

I didn't think you meant it in that way. But, there are people that genuinely have that attitude.


RIGHT) Everyone gets respect, but disdain can be earned.

WRONG) You better work to get on my good side if you want to earn my respect.

Of course, if one earns disdain he has to earn respect later....