2007-12-05 10:55:48 · 3 answers · asked by Thomas E 7 in Education & Reference ➔ Higher Education (University +)
I've told this same answer to my children as they became adults. It's applicable to all ages, but not likely to be understood when younger. Anyway, the answer is that one earns respect in large part by showing respect ***when it is due***. Conversely, one cannot earn respect by showing disrespect or tearing away at someone else's respect .
Showing respect for another person demonstrates one's own values. This can be done directly or indirectly. A direct example might be holding the door open for someone or praising someone's respect-worthy actions ("I'm glad you're taking this petition door-to-door. This will make a difference."). Indirect examples are mostly comments about someone else's respect-worthy actions, such as "I like the way the Washington Redskins coach uses each player's abilities to full advantage rather than trying to change the players to fit his own game plan.".
Mostly I tell this to my kids to show the ineffectiveness of tearing away at someone else's respect. This technique is all too common amoung teenagers and certain adults. I'm sure you know the type. Are you impressed by someone saying "The President doesn't know how to run the country", "That author is an idiot", or "I could have caught that pass with my eyes closed."? Is such a person worthy of our respect because he really is better informed than the President about the country's current issues? Is he implying that he has done more research on a subject than the author of a book? Should we respect him for unproven pass-catching abilities superior to a professional athlete? The same holds true for teenage comments like "Those clothes make her look fat." and many similar tear-away-respect cuts. Somehow the speaker of such comments acts as though he is earning respect, when in fact no one respects him more for such comments.
With the above lesson summarized as well as I can in this medium, the rest of the story comes from my grandmother. She always told me "It's not what you say; it's what you do that counts most.". I'm sure you can find many ways to apply this philosophy. Good luck!
2007-12-05 12:28:28 · answer #1 · answered by Herbert M 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Depends on the kinds of people you want to gain respect from. Generally, though, respect is given to superior individualities within groups.
2007-12-05 19:00:13 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
By respecting others
2007-12-05 18:59:07 · answer #3 · answered by imamom 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋