Define Respect

re·spect/riˈspekt/

Noun:	A feeling of deep admiration for someone or something elicited by their abilities, qualities, or achievements.
Verb:	Admire (someone or something) deeply, as a result of their abilities, qualities, or achievements.
Synonyms:	noun.  regard - esteem - reverence - deference - consideration verb.  honour - honor - esteem - regard - venerate - revere

The use and definition of RESPECT has been a topic of discussion with my daughter for the last year or so.  I bet you think that is it me telling her she has to respect me because I am her parent.  Nope.

It is the misuse teetering on abuse of the word.  People bandy about  "respect" with no real clue as to the definition.

People demand respect. Expect Respect. People won't "give" you respect unless you have earned it. Not giving someone, what they believe is respect, can get you killed as in, "You be dissin' me" aka disrespect.

Respect does not mean kissing someone's boot simply because they exist. Respect does not include worship, blind following, total agreement. Bullies demand respect; bullies don't know what respect means.

As adults, we tend to throw this word loosely in the arena of child rearing on our children. Respect the school, Respect the teacher, Respect older adults, Respect the police man, Respect your aunts and uncles, etc.

cour·te·sy/ˈkərtəsē/

Noun:	The showing of politeness in one's attitude and behavior toward others. A polite speech or action, esp. one required by convention.
Synonyms:	politeness - civility - comity - urbanity - mannerliness

However, I think we mean for our children to be polite and courteous and we confuse these words as respect when I feel they are truly separate.

How do you define RESPECT without using the dictionary or using the word itself in the definition?


NOTE: Once again an entry that was half formed and not completed while it was on my mind.