Is Respect Earned??

RE-SPECT  (r-spkt)tr.v. re·spect·ed, re·spect·ing, re·spects
1. To feel or show deferential regard for; esteem.2. To avoid violation of or interference with: respect the speed limit.
3. To relate or refer to; concern.n.
1. A feeling of appreciative, often deferential regard; esteem.2. The state of being regarded with honor or esteem.
3. Willingness to show consideration or appreciation.

Sco:  Respect... a word used so loosely. "Respect the crown," "Respect my
authority," "Respect my wishes"...  you get the picture. While most
believe respect is earned, I am here to tell you that I believe
otherwise. When I meet anyone the respect level is at it's highest
point and remains there. It is then up to those individuals to keep it
that way. So if you have ever had the feeling that I disrespected you
then trust, you made it that way.
  Now what would make one think that respect is earned? When
corresponding with certain professionals such as doctors or lawyers
for the first time, at what point did they earn your respect? You
don't know them personally. My point is, why not treat everyone that
cross your path with this same respect? Why would anyone have to earn
it instead of it just being granted.
  I am forced to think that those not displaying respect for all have
some type of trust issues. Maybe they have premeditated expectations
to be treated disrespectfully. Granted, we have all been mistreated at
some point by someone. I don't think others actions should dictate how
you present yourself to everyone.

Sone:  Esco, I agree with alot of what you said but when does that "respect others" run it's course?? From a young girl I remember being told to respect my elders(which is why I put a handle to friend's parents/aunts/uncles,older co-workers, church family,etc) because I would never be equal to them. I've come to realize that some people take this toooo far. There are some elders who truly believe that since they've roamed this Earth for such a long time, you're EXPECTED to respect them and their actions,views and thoughts but that doesn't mean they must give you the same in return. I've been told off in my younger years by some old folk and it took every fiber of my being not to snap simply because they're an elder but I quickly realized that if you let them know respect goes BOTH ways, things change immediately.
  While working in a housing facility, I came across a few angry elders who saw me as a "baby" and felt they would come to that office and talk CRAZY to me. I let them rock for a while when I first got hired but I grew tired fast. I had to tell one tenant "Listen here I show you NOTHING but respect when you come here flipping out but enough is enough! I am NOT a child and furthermore I am NOT YOUR CHILD so you're gonna watch how you speak to me from here on out. Being OLD doesn't give you the right to be DISRESPECTFUL!" She stormed off and came back days later to apologize and we were cool since then.
  Some people will step all over you if it's allowed so I take that whole "respect everyone" with a grain of salt. Can I respect you if I don't respect your actions? Or your views simply because you're a person? I can be cordial but respect?? Hmmm..It's a difficult multi-faceted decision that I'm sure everyone will have a different take on.

Be Blessed,
  Sonja & Esco