Respect

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This article is about the term respect. For other uses, see Respect (disambiguation).

Respect is an attitude of acknowledging the feelings and interests of another party in a relationship, and of treating as consequential for the self the helping or harming of the other. Though most commonly referring to interpersonal relationships, it can be used between animals, groups and institutions including countries. Respect does not necessarily imply deference, but a respectful attitude rules out unconsidered selfish behaviour. The concept of respect predates, and does not rely on, the existence of the concept of rights. Like the Golden Rule, treat others the way you want to be treated.

Respect is sometimes loosely used as a synonym for politeness or manners, though these are behaviours, whereas respect is an attitude. Intercultural differences in behaviours, self-perception and outward appearance may result in the unintentional appearance of disrespect.

Respect is the esteem for or a sense of the worth or excellence of a person, a personal quality or ability, or something considered as a manifestation of a personal quality or ability: I have great respect for her judgement.

Many movements have at different times claimed respect as the core element, including raver-culture, some religions and military organizations.

Many teachers consider this to be the core value in the classroom and think of it as the most important attitude in the classroom, or community.

Respect can refer to the objective, unbiased consideration and regard for rights, values, beliefs and property. Kant's categorical imperative, as well as expressing a common understanding of civilization, incorporates the concept of respect.

The levels of respect that people show to each other can vary from showing no respect (which may constitute abuse in some circumstances) to showing great respect. Many cultures have institutions that ritualise respect, as with a constitutional monarchy. Some believe that only through showing an "appropriate" level of respect in all circumstances (regardless of whether or not the respecter feels that the potential respectee has earned respect) can one achieve self-respect, which allows one to become dignified. The problem of discerning appropriate levels of respect is a learned socialisation skill, that depends on cultural factors.

Differences in culture, as well as in perceptions of self and of outward appearances, can result in a person unintentionally showing behaviour which others can (mis-)interpret as disrespect.

Respect became a central value in the raver culture, principally of the late 80s to early 90s. That culture claims to believe in never doing anything to hurt or insult anyone. Later on, towards the mid-nineties, 'respect' combined with 'peace', 'love' and 'unity' in the Usenet-reading raver's acronym PLUR.

Respect has served as the catch-word of the British entertainer Ali G, and Norman from Def 2 in the early 90s.

Abuse can appear as the opposite of respect.

The early usage was in regard toward position or class, and became obsolete with the rise of democracy, which instead gave respect to personal qualities or achievement.

The meaning of the word has shifted back toward an honor that is automatic rather than earned mdash; now in regard to race, sexual orientation or national origin (the modern analog of the obsolete notion of class).

Respect is also a euphemism for "fear", usage taken by modern street gangs from the old Italian Mafia.