What does it mean when respect is "demanded" from psychological, sociological, political, and the additional perspectives of conservatism and capitalism in general ?

It means the person making the demand does not understand what respect is.

If respect of a person is demanded - the person has no concept of it.

There are times you have to respect the position the person is in while still having no personal respect (command authority, for instance).

If there is still difficulty in respecting the position, it is time to find someplace else to be (whether temporary or permanent).

^^^^^^^^^^^ Good answer! ....... drill sgt.

When I hear something along those line, I think of a little fat kid wearing sunglasses shouting, "respect my authority!"

What if your DEI organization is "demanding" it in your company. What does that mean for any given employee, in particular to their relation with their employer, and the DEI organization itself as sponsored by your employer and the employees that are running it ? I don't know what to make of it, not a clue, but I'm not that bright to begin with if that makes any difference. Please fill me in, I know lots of you guys have dealt with this stuff at much higher levels in a myriad of environments. Any advice appreciated as well.

I already know by life experience that respect is earned and given voluntarily in the general sense, but I have no idea what that means from a DEI organization within a large employer. I just hired a great contractor, and found out later thru the grapevine that he was a Navy Seal (retired of course). Now I respect Navy Seals (a LOT) for WHO they are and WHAT they do, and I respect my father because he raised me, provided for me, and he's a solidly great human being. I also respect my employer because of the top shelf management that runs the Division I work in and consistent reasonableness, common sense, and honest dealing. But I haven't seen this DEI organization doing any SEAL type action nor doing any good Human being type stuff. So what the hell do I do with it ?

I think it's people confusing "commanding" respect with a word and definition they understand. People who command respect generally never have to demand anything - people will jump through hoops for them because they respect them. Whole different concept, which they might not understand, not having known anyone who ever commanded respect.

Like when people really "resignated" with something you said. No, you didn't. That's not a thing.

In the military, we were required to *show* respect, even if the person was a total dirtbag (and I knew more than a few). I had to be polite and show respect to a LOT of people who (IMO, of course) did NOT deserve or earn it. That's life.

Respect must be *earned,* though. This is a key difference many people miss.

I believe the 'demand respect' thing is a wokeism/millenial thing. They didn't earn the respect, yet they crave it. Therefore, they make childish demands, while stamping their feet and calling everybody racist/homophobic/etc trying to get their way. They want the perks but don't want to do their time or pay their dues. Everybody's special.

It depends on the context, of course. I believe anybody who demands respect probably doesn't deserve it in the first place. Now, everybody deserves to be treated with dignity. Even strangers should be shown respect.


I assume DEI is 'Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion?' In that case, it validates my point above. Today, the snowflakes (homo/trans or just plain entitled) demand that we not only tolerate them, but applaud and fawn over them. If we don't tell them how special they are and celebrate their mental illness enthusiastically enough, we are hateful bigots.

My signature line sums it up for me.

Demanding respect is just someone using a rank or title to assert authority after they pissed away any respect they may have had. And after you submit to that demand, you will be expected to submit to any other demand the person makes. One of my first COs in the Navy, when he was still the XO, proudly claimed 'what is power if you can't abuse it'. Hoo boy. He practiced that. A bloody tyrant. Department heads were nothing but yes men. And he was really good at moral suppression. Even with his policies killing the command, he still demanded respect.

If you "demand respect" you miss the point.

Respect is earned. Some people (with their life experience) get a head start, but no one is ENTITLED to respect.

If you want to be respected, be respectful. And most of all, be someone WORTHY or respect.

quote:

Originally posted by wrightd:
What does it mean when respect is "demanded" from psychological, sociological, political, and the additional perspectives of conservatism and capitalism in general ?

Forgive me. From who?!?

It means it hasn't been earned and now it will take much more to do so.

Respect is to be earned.

If you are demanding it, it means you have not earned it (and know so).

I will add that those who can comport themselves in a civilized manner generally deserve respect (as a default) unless and until they demonstrate that they are not worthy.

quote:

Originally posted by DaveL:
It means the person making the demand does not understand what respect is.

Yep, there's your answer.

Courtesy is given. Respect is earned.

Reciprocity is a hard concept; especially for the arrogant.

I respected a guy once. . . . By ignoring him.

All went well

You can demand respect for things like the law, tradition, freedom of choice, etc but respect for people is earned.

I think the idea that if you demand respect that you don’t understand it is flawed. I demand respect out of my guys. I demand them to respect the job, have a healthy respect for the public (you don’t have to like it) and I demand they respect themselves.

As to respecting me, I view respect as capital that I earn by being a leader. I try to lead from the front. I came up through the ranks, and I have done most of the jobs that they now do. I have very good work ethic to this day. I never ask them to do anything I can’t or won’t do. I have a lot of extremely fit guys. I can’t compete with them, but there is no doubt that I give it everything on runs. I keep lines of communication open and everything is transparent with the men. When I don’t know, I tell them I don’t know. When they do great work, I am their biggest cheerleader. When they screw up, I’m honest with them and work to problem solve. They chose at that point whether they want to respect my actions and leadership. And even me as a person.

And I’m good with it. But if I don’t demand they respect the job, the public, and themselves, how popular I am matters little.

It can only be given or it fails to meet the definition.