Has Respect Lost its Meaning?

2014-10-31T13:59:43-04:00

The word respect can hold many different meanings to an individual. According to the dictionary, respect is defined as: “a feeling of deep admiration for someone or something elicited by their abilities, qualities, or achievements”. Though the definition of a word is rarely subjective, actions reflecting that word can be.

America is a melting pot of races and religions, and so is the U.S. military. It is for this reason that one should always conduct him/herself in a respectful manner and be completely aware of what is being said – especially when dealing with controversial subjects. All members of the military should be respectful of the cultures of those they serve with, just as they should expect the same level of respect from their comrades.

One of the greatest aspects about the military is that when you join, you become a part of a family. No matter where you come from, you suddenly have a greater purpose and you become a part of something much larger than yourself. In a way, your military environment becomes a part of your identity. Fostering an environment of respect and acceptance is two-fold. Not only are you accepting the service members already serving, but you are also aiding in creating a positive environment for future service members. Though the push for respect across cultures in the military is present, it is often not executed. It is time to create a culture of respect and diversity.

There will always be times when you will disagree with others, but the true reflection of your character shows in how you carry yourself in those times. By lashing out and calling someone a racist slur out of aggravation just looks bad on you and solves no problems. When you are in the military, you are part of a family; you need to stand with your family and not apart. A hope of RallyPoint is to garner these feelings of mutual respect and continue to work towards a symbiotic relationship - despite any cultural differences - within the entire military community. Together, we are all fighting for the same thing: a better life for our future generations and for ourselves. How much does the display of respect mean to you in your life?

Response by Capt Leonard Swanson made Oct 31 at 2014 2:47 PM

2014-10-31T14:47:31-04:00

I believe for the most part we as Veterans are respected by most but at the sametime we are also not shown the consideration nor resolve especially by POTUS and the Congress to meet their obligations to all Veterans; and, to insure that the contractual services and programs promised for our service are provided. An obligation that too often is just given lip service or just half measures or what I call "Band-Aid" resolutions which has been the case for way to long.

As a national veterans advocate our group is attempting to make this fact just an unfortunate chapter in the history books. Please take a minute to visit the new group I have formed on LinkedIn, GETI Veteran Transitional Turnkey Solutions http://lnkd.in/bSpfZVQ and utilize this another platform to voice your concerns and triumphs to remind America that we ask is not an entitlement but a contractual obligation in recognition for the service we have rendered in the name of protecting our Nation.

Response by SFC W Michael made Oct 31 at 2014 2:50 PM

2014-10-31T14:50:08-04:00

I am constantly amazed by the lack of respect I see in the civilian workforce. I've been retired for 10 years now, and I still answer people with a yessir or No Maam. I refuse to be a part of discussions which are disrespectful of others, whether it is race, religion, gender or orientation. I immediatly correct people when they use disrespectful terms about their co-workers, or slurs of any kind. Not just because it is law, and policy, but because it serves no other purpose but to disparage another person.

I believe one of the reasons that we see some of the division in America today is due, in part to the lack of respect we have grown accustomed to. We no longer complain when a store worker treats us badly. We fear to "offend" someone if we hear them speaking badly about someone. It's so much easier to lower our eyes and pretend we didn't hear that slur. We laugh and forward that email on rather than delete it... get the picture?

There is nothing wrong with being respectful to our elders, to holding a door open for someone, male or female. It is totally appropriate to correct someone when they use inappropriate language. It is ok to be proud of your heritage, of your country. It is also important to be respectful of the other person's pride in their culture, in their native country. It is important to not only respect the other guy's faith, but to understand it, and know that one of the great things about America is that ALL are welcome, it is what we were founded upon all those years ago. It is what we all fought for, bled for, and in many cases, died for.

When we use the word Respect, we must be mindful that it is a two way street. If a person shows respect, then generally, they will receive respect. I try and treat everyone with respect, even those whom I dont get along with, or those who I have fundamental differences with. It is one of the great things I kept from my military career, and one of my most cherished.

Response by SSG Tim Everett made Oct 31 at 2014 3:02 PM

2014-10-31T15:02:25-04:00

I use the terms "sir" and "ma'am" with people at work who aren't my coworkers/peers. The first day I was on the job, I called my boss (who is apparently younger than me) sir. There was a kid, and I do mean kid because he's all of 20, sitting next to me. He scoffed and said "Sir? What are you, in the military?"

I looked him straight in the eye and said "I was a professional soldier for ten years. Is that okay?"

He looked away first, mumbling something about "sure thing thanks for your service."

Respect isn't everything in this world, but it sure does occupy a big chunk of it. I personally choose to believe that respect will get us a lot farther than being a smartass. Which is probably a lesson I should have learned as a mouthy junior enlisted. Anyone got a time machine?

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 31 at 2014 3:30 PM

2014-10-31T15:30:06-04:00

You can not give someone something you do not have yourself. If a person does not have respect/self worth of themselves, they defiantly can not extend that same courtesy to others in their immediate environment.

Response by COL Jason Smallfield, PMP, CFM, CM made Oct 31 at 2014 3:35 PM

2014-10-31T15:35:01-04:00

Good question/comments. I would argue that respect has not lost its meaning but rather we as a society are individually and collectively failing to adhere to the standards of respect for a variety of reasons:
- Respect not enforced by parents as in days prior. Kids will do what their parents enforce both as young kids but also later in life as adults when no one in authority is there to see it.
- Helicopter parents leading to kids who do not know/understand responsibility at a young age (not my fault I am disrespectful, it is because of X in my childhood).
- Fear of "offending" somehow leading to lack of calling someone out when needed or calling things as we see them (Fort Hood as workplace violence rather than terrorism).
- Growth of Internet leading to decrease in personal connection and growth in anonomity. Therefore people doing person to person what they do on the net.

Response by MSG David Johnson made Oct 31 at 2014 5:03 PM

2014-10-31T17:03:15-04:00

In the Army I would have to say yes. I worked with a lot of Navy and Marine EOD techs and even with how laid back the were respect was still in the forefront. My unit also had a lot of former Navy and Marines, they put the Soldiers to shame when they showed disrespect, or even the slightest hint of disrespect.

But those who came over from a different branch helped raise the units esprit de corps, our Soldiers would address all NCO's by rank, from Staff Sergeant up. even the few Privates we had in the company would correct, respectfully, those who did not show the proper courtesy.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 31 at 2014 6:36 PM

2014-10-31T18:36:46-04:00

Without respect we have nothing. To be respected by subordinates, peers and supervisors is a great accomplishment and helps measure your total effectiveness as a leader. But the old saying respect is earned is very true in the military culture. And hopefully that respect you have accumulated and earned in the military can help you earn it in your civilian endeavors. So I do not believe respect has lost its meaning and is alive and well here on Rally Point.

Response by LCpl James Robertson made Oct 31 at 2014 6:53 PM

2014-10-31T18:53:36-04:00

I too old school of a Marine to comment on other Marines today, but, in one incidents of saluting a Second Lieutenant, aboard Ship, I got office hours, because a Second Lieutenant said I did not hold my salute long enough as we passed, it were dark aboard Ship at 0330 Hours, he corrected me, after accusing me of not saluting him, but I held my salute, he did not see me until he were long pass me and wrote me up for office hours. I explained what happen to the First Sergeant, which today it maybe called a Master Gunnery Sergeant, that the Lieutenant did not see my salute until several paces away. The Captain of the USS. Tripoli dismiss the office hours. Thank God, Second Lieutenant, always figure someone were disrespecting there rank.

Response by PO1 Michael Fullmer made Oct 31 at 2014 7:14 PM

2014-10-31T19:14:52-04:00

After working with a detachment of reservists for the past 3 mos, I can definitely say that respect for seniors has gone the way of the Dodo. Old school folks like myself find it completely UNSAT.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 31 at 2014 8:32 PM

2014-10-31T20:32:18-04:00

Respect, as a whole, is still here. However, what degree of respect is lost. Along with all the frivolous lawsuits in our world has come the age of being politically correct. Hell, we as grown adults can go to war and die in the name of our country, but we can't sing certain cadences because they have curse words or mention alcohol? That is pathetic.

With all that we as a society have either demanded or accepted, we have lost a lot along with that. That is the price we paid.

Response by LTC Hillary Luton made Oct 31 at 2014 8:57 PM

2014-10-31T20:57:59-04:00

I think as a society, we have transitioned to a point where we spend so much time bending over backwards trying to please everyone, that we have forgotten how to make people earn little things like respect. I see too many people of all ages who expect respect like its air. There are also too many who don't believe they should give respect to others who have earned it.

And the problem is not just with subordinates giving respect to leaders. Respect goes both ways. After working for not one, but two bosses who have no concept of respect, I know first hand how frustrating this can be. Unfortunately, these are two men who spend all of their time kissing butt and trying to make themselves look good, and are more than willing to do so by throwing their subordinates under the bus.

I have always like a saying by Jaime Escalante. If you are not familiar with the name, please go rent the movie Stand & Deliver (1988). In the movie when the other teachers say the students can't handle the harder math assignments, Jaime replies with, "A student will rise to the level of expectation." We see this all of the time in the military. When the bar is set higher, we rise to reach it. The bar of respect has been set so low, its means little. Maybe its time to set that bar up high again. Instead of letting everyone get away with complaining about minor details in order to advance in their careers, we start making people earn the respect they expect to receive and in turn teach others how to give respect when its earned.

Response by LT Carl Martin made Oct 31 at 2014 9:53 PM

2014-10-31T21:53:50-04:00

Respect is something that is taught and learned. Not something demanded. As a child I was taught to respects my elders. Use my manners and to treat people fairly. These lessons followed me through my life. They were useful during my 20 years of military service. I respected others who I worked for and treated my peers and subordinates with respect. In return I earned the respect of others. These same lessons later helped me in industry and serve me well now as a government employee. I have taught my children and grandchildren these same lessons.

Response by CSM Christopher Irwin made Oct 31 at 2014 11:58 PM

2014-10-31T23:58:28-04:00

Don't confuse Equal Opportunity with respect as they are distinctly different.

Respect is respect....It knows no color, sex or religion....Not sure the two correlate in the context of your post. What I mean to say is respect as it pertains to the military is to the ranks of those senior to you and the orders they convey. Keep the race portion out of your question as this is a weak attempt at proving you're blind to the color of the person's skin who is giving you the order in question.

Until we, as a military STOP recognizing Soldiers for things over which they have no control (race and sex) we will never ascend to a higher understanding of the human dynamic. I care less the color of a Soldier's skin, the deity they worship, whom they share their bed with, or what dangles (or not) between their legs. So long as we continue to bring laudatory praise for these things, we will continue to have problems in our ranks.

I believe and endorse TRUE equal opportunity....I will neither recognize your race, religion, or sex, nor throw out ridiculous slurs to describe you. If the time arises that I don't like a person, there are more reasons than simply the color of their skin.

As a military we need to focus purely on the character of the person and their individual accomplishments for the team. No Color; No Sex; No religion, etc, should EVER play a part in supporting out highers' guidance.

My guidance to who-so-ever wrote this question is to stop stirring the pot with racial undertones...it doesn't help the cause of our Soldiers and family members. It further does nothing for our core military than exacerbate the stereo-types already plaguing our ranks.

Response by CW2(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 1 at 2014 6:02 AM

2014-11-01T06:02:31-04:00

Exactly what COL Jason Smallfield stated!! With parents becoming younger every year, the word "discipline" fades away with the older generation of parents. Discipline doesn't have to be physical for children to learn respect. But the lack of discipline being exercised in society today inevitably rolls over into our military because of the parents who don't teach their children respect and that gives the soldiers we have now-a-day the "I deserve to have everything handed to me" attitude. You have to earn respect, whether it be proving yourself a hard worker and an asset to your squad or platoon, or just to your Army family in general.

Response by CPL(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 1 at 2014 8:23 AM

2014-11-01T08:23:20-04:00

I would like to think that respect is not lost only misplaced temporarily, if enough of us keep treating others with respect hopefully it will catch on again. Numerous times I personally "corrected" people both in & out of uniform. Admittedly it is easier in uniform, because when you say something to the person they start remembering it is part of the job. On rare occasions I have had to tactfully correct someone higher ranking than myself, maybe they listen to me because everyone in my unit respects me & where I've been & what I've done. Or it's just that I reminded them of something they already knew and had forgotten temporarily. Either way we all can change the present standards to a higher level than what it is. Remember this you may not respect the person but respect the rank, not just higher but lower as well. Together we can bring respect back to what it once was.

Response by CPT Ahmed Faried made Nov 1 at 2014 10:36 AM

2014-11-01T10:36:50-04:00

Respect is in deeds and words. I generally give everyone the benefit of the doubt and treat them as I would like them to treat me.

Response by MSG Brad Sand made Nov 1 at 2014 11:24 AM

2014-11-01T11:24:24-04:00

I think our society and culture have lost it respect, but every time I start to think this I recall talking with a my fellow NCOs at ANCOC (SLC) and basically talking about this same question. How the kids today...then...longer had respect, patriotism, ETC and I recalled the same thing...basically...being said be Socrates nearly 2500 years ago? We seemed to have been able to just barely hold on since then?

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 1 at 2014 1:26 PM

2014-11-01T13:26:01-04:00

I do see this a lot with the new generation of civilians aka my kids. However, I also see this lack of respect out in town, when you say Hello to someone, they won't even give you the time of day. I am about one second away from standing in front of them until they

Response by SSG Jason Cherry made Nov 1 at 2014 2:46 PM

2014-11-01T14:46:22-04:00

I don't feel like respect has lost its meaning. I feel like respect has lost its importance, expectation, and enforcement in both the military and civilian worlds.

The world is becoming more and more filled with young (and always growing older) people who have no respect for their parents, authority figures such as teachers or law enforcement, and live the life of expectation themselves. They expect someone will do things for them, give them opportunities, and will have life handed to them at their will. I realize there are exceptions to the rule, but it is a growing trend that cannot be ignored.

The flip side is that there are not enough people demanding or commanding respect, and just complain they aren't getting it.

It takes a village to raise a child.

Response by SFC Dr. Joseph Finck, BS, MA, DSS made Nov 2 at 2014 3:30 PM

2014-11-02T15:30:50-05:00

Military bearing as discussed by SPC Brandon "Wheelz" Wheeldon is something I have brought with me to my work force as well. We have a few veterans in my office and two other military retirees (both USAF). We discuss often how bearing, respect, selfless service, and duty are overlooked in many ways by our counterparts. Not to say they are bad people or bad workers, but the camaraderie we share as service members is missing. The esprit de corps, unit integrity, and team spirit is somehow missing as well.

I have also seen subordinates be disrespectful to seniors in open forums such as meetings. I find this impossible to understand and accept. I always speak to the person who was disrespectful and try to share the importance of maintaining bearing and displaying respect for the position. I also explain the way to disagree is respectful and often privately with a senior as opposed to publically where it appears a challenge to their authority.

This is / has been met with mixed results. My internal motto is always to be professional above all else.

Response by PO1 Steven Kuhn made Nov 2 at 2014 7:11 PM

2014-11-02T19:11:12-05:00

If there was a place I expected to find mutual respect regardless of opinions it would be here amongst people who can say that we share they bond of service to our country. Each one of us is different and brings a unique quality to the mix regardless of conversation. Sometimes, we forget that we live in a land where difference of opinion and freedom of speech (respectfully) are things that allow us to think outside the box and make us stronger. Unfortunately I have seen posts of malice and ridicule just because someone might not agree with what I may perceive to be as valid. While I hold no malice for those who do not agree with me, and actually enjoy different points of view, if it does not begin here with fellow service members how can we expect it anywhere else in our society?

r/

Steve

Response by SP5 Michael Rathbun made Nov 2 at 2014 11:40 PM

2014-11-02T23:40:42-05:00

When I am in an airport, I salute uniformed personnel regardless of rank (and HOW THE HECK do you figure out what somebody's rank is, from a distance, nowadays?).

If I am outdoors when any fire apparatus or law enforcement personnel drive by, I also render a salute. Even if a goodly number of them weren't veterans, the respect is deserved.

There is entirely too little respect going on nowadays.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 3 at 2014 4:11 PM

2014-11-03T16:11:09-05:00

I believe respect has lost it's meaning. People nowadays think that respect is required or just given. In my opinion, respect is earned. I don't care if you're a 4-Star General or a E-1 Private, if you are a good soldier with good values and you back up everything you say than I will show you respect. However, a lot these brand new butterbars and privates nowadays act like they're the cream of the crop and they know everything and won't take advice off of nobody but at the same time demand respect when they haven't earned it.

Response by SSG Dedrick Benson made Dec 27 at 2014 10:19 PM

2014-12-27T22:19:04-05:00

I feel that respect is important for day to day life. Our society has changed therefore people review respect differently. I spent that last 12 years as a civilian instructor teaching AIT soldiers, we often discussed respect one of the 7 core values, although there were different opinions about what respect is we all agreed that respect is essential. Finally in the military one must respect the chain of command and the chain of command must respect that soldier.

Response by PO3 Maria Flasher made Dec 28 at 2014 1:29 AM

2014-12-28T01:29:57-05:00

When I was active duty I found that there were different types of respect that you would give to those above you. As everyone well knows the saying typically goes that you "respect the rank even if you don't respect the person holding it". With that said I found giving respect much easier if I kept that in mind. Though I was loyal to their rank and would follow their orders when they were given didn't mean that I had to like the person. However I am typically a very kind and just person (or so I have been told) and I have found that those two traits have served me well in my past and also moving forward. When approached with the "why should I have to do..." question from my subordinates once I made a little bit of rank I always responded with "I too was once an E-1 and when I was I too was expected to do things that I didn't like... How can you ever expect to earn the respect of those around you if you have never walked in their shoes?" All of that brings me to this point... There will always be two kinds of leaders in the military, heck, anywhere you may find yourself. Those who are leaders because the responsibility was bestowed on them and those who have earned the title. It is up to each individual person to choose who they will follow and the key to this is to choose wisely.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 21 at 2015 1:12 PM

2015-01-21T13:12:03-05:00

Respect? You can't respect anyone anymore. At least, not unless they conform to EXACTLY what you believe. At least, that's what it seems like anymore...

I find it saddeningly funny that when I hold a door open for someone, or show them respect by a certain address (Sir, Ma'am, Doctor, etc...), I typically get a snide reaction w/ a look from on high down their nose at me.

Response by SSgt Jacob Lenfestey made Jan 30 at 2015 5:36 PM

2015-01-30T17:36:31-05:00

I feel as if respect has definitely diminished over the years and the word has lost a lot of its meaning within and outside of the military, too many people expect it outright without proving themselves in any way and treat people rude. Respect isn't something that comes with a title, it's something you earn that sticks to you personally.

Response by Maj Chris Nelson made Mar 20 at 2015 11:00 AM

2015-03-20T11:00:41-04:00

Respect....this is a tough one. It has many facets. Part of the problem is that with the newer generations and civil structure it has become less prevalent. With single parent homes, 2-3 jobs by each person, the advent of expanded TV (no longer the 3-4 channels we used to have), video games, drugs...more and more kids are growing up indoors, and having some type of electronic babysitter. Parents are also more detached from the kid's learning in school, and pushing the full educational responsibility to the teacher. Another problem is the immediate gratification and the entitlement expectations. Kids are loosing social skills. Part of social skills involves respecting people....either due to age, position, or other feature that should earn respect (or at least a respectful attitude). There are still lots of kids that have good upbringing and have learned respect and how to respect others, but many more that are lacking in some aspect of this social education.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Mar 20 at 2015 11:14 AM

2015-03-20T11:14:59-04:00

You made me look. I checked the dictionary and found that "respect" still has its meaning, the same one that I learned long ago.

The problem seems to be that people aren't teaching respect as it was once taught. It seems these days that respect must be earned. I was taught that it was presumed in the case of superiors and the elderly. Of course, it could be lost if they clearly demonstrated that they didn't deserve it.

Which way is better?

That's a matter of debate.

It's easy for old farts like me to simply fall back on the "tried and true" methods of my past, but where has that gotten me. I ended up "respecting" a lot of people who didn't deserve it and followed them into the Serbonian Bog and often didn't figure out that they didn't know what the hell they were doing (any more than me) until I was in deep do-do with them.

These days I limit the presumption of respect to superiors and the elderly (there aren't so many who are more elderly than me these days) to simple social gestures. I don't follow anyone until they earn my respect.

Response by PO3 Steven Sherrill made Mar 20 at 2015 2:03 PM

2015-03-20T14:03:59-04:00

Respect the uniform not the man.
Respect is earned not given.
If you want to be respected, then you must be respectful.

There are so many cliches about respect. Many of us were raised to respect our elders. When I was younger I thought it was just to keep us kids quiet. Respect is definitely something that is earned. What it takes to earn respect is entirely subjective. What is not subjective, is that it takes action. That action can be anything from a simple act of kindness all the way to a severe beating, and everything in between. A funny thing about respect is that it can take years to earn it, and one action to unravel it.

From a military perspective, those appointed over us are to be respected because they have earned their position. I grew up on Kwajalein Atoll, a small army base in the middle of the South Pacific. It was a mostly civilian population, and military discipline was non existent. Most of the military personnel were officers, and almost exclusively in administrative functions. The base colonel had to balance running a military base with dealing with a civilian population. When I was growing up there, we had a few colonels that were totally ineffective at this, and because of their ineffectiveness they were not respected. Looking back, I think that their job was a lot harder than commanding a regular military base because of the dynamic they were pushed into.

Response by GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad made Mar 20 at 2015 2:05 PM

2015-03-20T14:05:58-04:00

Response by COL Charles Williams made Mar 20 at 2015 4:48 PM

2015-03-20T16:48:09-04:00

No, absolutely not, if we are referring to the military. If we are referring to America at large, I would say yes. In my day, I don't think we had teach and train Army Values... nevertheless, of all the Army Values, Respect is my number one. I don't think (in the military) we have lost ground on this. I do think we focus more on it now. Respect can only fade away, if we let it. First and foremost we need to model it.

Response by MSgt Manuel Diaz made Mar 20 at 2015 4:53 PM

2015-03-20T16:53:44-04:00

In the not to distant past, when people practiced respect it was learned, you had elders and peers that pointed at you and said " Shame on you" and they watched you till you corrected your slightly queer (not gay behavior). Large numbers of today's kids and young people have accepted being a disrespectful asshole as an asset in lieu of being considered a Dudley do right or Susie two shoes. All just wannabe tuff guys, somewhat like a biker without a bike

Response by SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL made Mar 20 at 2015 5:56 PM

2015-03-20T17:56:15-04:00

Your going to win some battles and lose some, make friends, make enemies. But Duty Honor Country is the theme of the American Fighting Force!

One Team One Fight!! Retired but Still Serving! Duty Honor Country!

Response by PO1 Cleve Ikaika Waiwaiole made Mar 20 at 2015 6:20 PM

2015-03-20T18:20:53-04:00

It seems as it's lacking in the newer generation of "people". Inside and outside of the service. I think it has to do with How that person was raised. The way people are raised child to adult is a whole different story to what it was 20+ years ago.

I've heard some people say you have to give respect to get respect but I think it's far deeper than that.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 20 at 2015 8:24 PM

2015-03-20T20:24:52-04:00

Respect is the foundation for any successful human relationship. Unfortunately, today, society confuses respect with appeasement and fear.

Response by Cpl Brett Wagner made Mar 20 at 2015 11:05 PM

2015-03-20T23:05:45-04:00

LTC Hillary Luton - Gosh dang you're smart and I love what and the way you write. To the point, polite, and logical.

Response by SGT Frank Leonardo made Mar 21 at 2015 2:32 AM

2015-03-21T02:32:03-04:00

RESPECT is a common curiosity from one person to the next, salute for instance has been since the old days of chivalry of knights, if a officer past me being enlisted no matter what rank I would always salute the officer just called respect or chivalry,

Response by PO1 Donald Hammond made Apr 7 at 2015 8:02 PM

2015-04-07T20:02:06-04:00

You have to remember that there are 2 types of respect. 1 - respect for a person. 2 - respect for a position. Sort of like you can respect the Presidency but not respect the President. However, you must always show respect for the position. Has it gone away? Yes.

Response by SGT Hector Rojas, AIGA, SHA made Apr 25 at 2015 6:11 PM

2015-04-25T18:11:30-04:00

To me this is really simple.

No need for definitions, I just treat people like I would like to be treated in any given situation.

If someone asks me something, if I know the answer I'll give it. If it is a stupid question, I assume they are expecting an honest answer just the same. I've asked stupid questions before and I wanted an answer, not sarcasm or condescension.

If someone is rude, pretentious, arrogant, etc. around me, I'll remember the one time I cut someone in line when I was a kid and got slapped for it by my mother...and remember that those are usually insecure people and so, I will still be nice to them and try not to embarrass them.

Some people believe in the "respect is earned" thing, me on the other hand, I am of the opinion that respect is intrinsically attached to every person, thus, to me, respect is lost if you do something untoward.

Just be good people.

As for the "respect the rank" thing, they are separate to me, and I don't confuse them.

I've had leaders that were horrible people, yet you would never know it by the way I addressed them when on the job. You CAN respect the rank and have a profound dislike and disrespect for the person.