It just means you value your respect and it means something when you give it. It doesn't mean you don't respect the persons right to exist or that they have emotions. Respecting those two things and respecting the actual person are different things entirely.
We used to respect the office and our elders. Those two things in themselves commanded our respect. They were not contingent or negotiable. No one had to earn anything Glis. We were taught to be respectful/polite and mannerly. That was an obligation from which we had no escape. It was 24/7. No one had to do anything but exist. We were the ones who were doing the doing. Today? Well what I think will not be what I say because I"d be banned from Answermug possibly forever. Suffice it to say that selfish self-centered egotistical arrogant people use excuses like "they have to earn my respect" to be mean and cruel and ugly. I don't buy any of it. Thank you for your reply Gls.
This post was edited by RosieG at October 9, 2016 7:15 AM MDT
There is the automatic respect given to others which represents a respect for their rights and just being polite, but the respect for them personally is what people say must be earned.
Benedict Arnold 