Some people tend to confuse respect with common courtesy. The two are not necessarily the same.
Common courtesy is something you would give to just about anyone. Even total strangers should be granted common courtesy and politeness.
Respect is something that should be earned with regards to positive deeds, accomplishments, etc.. Furthermore, someone who fits into that category should not treat others with disdain or rudeness in spite of said deeds and accomplishments.
So what do you think?
2006-12-30 08:09:26 · 17 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
The word 'respect' is used in more than one sense (like a lot of other words).
There's the sense of respect that's due everyone unless they are so appalling that they lose that right (that's what you're referring to as 'common curtesy').
Then there's the sense of respect, as respecting someone for their accomplishments, or showing forms of respect to one's boss who outranks you.
As for all of the rest of what you say, I agree.
Because the word has more than one use, a lot of people get confused and wonder why they should 'respect' someone who doesn't 'deserve' it.
Everyone deserves basic curtesy and politeness; some deserve respect greater than that.
2006-12-30 11:29:52 · answer #1 · answered by tehabwa 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Interesting question. I think that showing someone courtesy IS a form of respect.
With that said, everyone is entitled to a certain degree of respect - you should show everyone enoughrespect to treat them with kindness. Anything beyond that must be earned.
2006-12-30 09:33:05 · answer #2 · answered by sylvia 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No; sorry. You give common courtesy because you respect someone in the first place. That means that you respect everyone until they show you that they do not deserve it. That is rare, however; they really have to do something nasty in order to lose it. I would just as soon ignore someone if I don't like them.
2006-12-30 08:15:35 · answer #3 · answered by hopflower 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Respect is given until someone proves they no longer deserve your respect.
Would you respect a murderer or a rapist? I should hope not but that doesn't mean that you should be rude either. That is the difference in respect and common courtesy!
2006-12-30 12:12:52 · answer #4 · answered by Inquisitive125 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Respect is given to all, but it can be lost, unlike common courtesy. People are equal, and we have no basis to not show them respect until they do something to lose that respect. This was a great question.
2006-12-30 08:30:23 · answer #5 · answered by Jennifer S 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Good people should always have the respect of being a person, of being alive. However some
people do not deserve the respect of a given situation.Just common courtesy.
2006-12-30 18:33:35 · answer #6 · answered by jennifer p 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Respect for others is something that is taught. And I'm sorry that includes common courtesy.
At birth, one has the Tabula Rasa - "blank slate". Babies have no conception or right/wrong. That is learned behavior.
Just because you do something great does not mean you automatically earn everyone's respect. Your actions after the fact determine that...............Modesty of one's accomplishments is the truest and right way to earn respect of others.
2006-12-30 09:02:58 · answer #7 · answered by Pat B 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I think respect is earned for sure and good manners are lacking in america as children are not taught as mothers do not raise their own children and the day care is a business in a mass of children.
2006-12-30 08:13:33 · answer #8 · answered by Gypsy Gal 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I believed respect is earned. I don't believe it should be automatic because of age or class or social status or anything else society uses to lump us into groups like so many human cattle.
2006-12-30 19:16:13 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think we should be born given respect but its not so easy to keep it and once you lose it you need to earn it back.
2006-12-30 08:49:20 · answer #10 · answered by twink3110 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋