Do you think that people should be treated with contempt or indifference until they have earned your respect?

Question

I would like to know whether there are personal characteristics, i.e. economic level, religion, race, political affiliation, or stances on abortion, euthanasia, war, death penalty, etc. that you feel justify your treating another with contempt of disdain.
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Are you so emotionally wrapped up in some topics that you are incapable of discussing them rationally or showing respect to those having different opinions?

Answer 1

You suh, have not earned my respect - I find you contemptible and I agree you must be treated as such.

Answer 2

I treat people politely until I get to know them. Then I can make a judgment as to whether or not I respect them.

There is really no topic that causes me to treat people with contempt. The people that I don't like usually mess things up by their actions rather than for the reasons you mention. For example, I don't like abusers and their political affiliation, race, or religion doesn't matter to me at all.

Answer 3

I'm nice to everyone I meet, I'm incapable of being contemptuous or rude; I don't have a problem listening to ideas totally different from my own. But for me, basic courtesy and respect are two entirely different things. I tend to equate "respect" with admiration, so yes, I think that respect is something that must be earned, both in terms of giving and receiving it.

From the characteristics that you've listed, the only one I have a firm stance on is abortion. I'm against it. It comes from having watched a video in school on exactly how babies are aborted. Its murder, brutal murder, of someone so tiny, so defenseless, so voiceless. The baby suffers, you can see its little body shake with pain.

So other than for rape victims (and this is a painful moral dilemma for me) I cannot condone abortion for women who've just been plain careless.

Answer 4

Quiet, indifferent respect, on the whole.
I don't have to agree with people's way of doing things. I'm not Voltaire, and I wont fight to the death for their right to hold their views. At best, I'll calmly state my point of view. The whole agree to disagree thing.
There is, however, one issue that will push 'The Button' for me; Man-bashing 'jokes'. Derogatory humour designed to belittle men. I do not see the humour in portraying men as little better than sub human, sub intelligent, or tasteless references to physical characteristics. But that's just me. I don't like that kind of joke. I'd never say that kind of thing about a woman. I don't expect to hear it about men. So yes, in answer to your question, I do have something about which I am not capable of rational discussion.
I just realised I've contradicted myself as I was able to discuss that issue rationally.

Answer 5

With respect from the beginning, we all have different boundaries & you cannot know if you are treading on someones toes till we let each other know where our boundaries are. Once done though, to cross those lines is a definate loss of respect to me.

Answer 6

People should be treated with respect right from the start, no matter their religion, or personal opinion on matters or if they conflict with your own - it is just common courtesy.