Courtesy vs Respect — Know the difference Two Guys Who Blog
Respect is one of the most overused words in the English language today. What most people really mean is to show courtesy NOT respect. There is a difference and it is important. Courtesy is something everyone deserves. Reserve respect only for those who have earned it.
Respect
The definition of respect, according to Meriam-Webster is:
to consider worthy of high regard
It means to look upon someone or something with reverence or admiration based on condition or behavior. This, by definition, should be applied to special events or people. It is the highest esteem we can hold for someone. Demanding respect is pointless. This is the reason I never ask for it. It can only be earned.
Courtesy
There is a small difference, but it is very important. Courtesy focuses on being polite. This is different than respect. You earn respect. Being polite is something that we should do for everyone, even those being rude to us. Yes, you read that right. Someone being rude to you still deserves courtesy. This is because as a person, we should always strive to be polite or courteous because we would want that extended to ourselves.
Why the Difference Matters
The difference is evident when you see someone you respect held in higher regard than the average. For example, we do not hold Babe Ruth and Juan Lagares in the same regard, nor should we. Even Juan would agree. Babe Ruth earned this by being considered (one of) the greatest baseball players of all time. Juan is a fair member of the Mets. Nothing more.
The comparison is stark, but I think it illustrates the point. Showing courtesy reflects on who we are. We should always be courteous to someone. Hold a door open for someone with their hands full. Say God bless you when someone sneezes. These are signs of courtesy. They are not signs of respect.
We hold respect only for those special people who earn it. The very best at a job or task. Someone who always holds to their values. These are things to respect. Now do not think you have to agree with everything a person has done to respect them for one aspect of their lives. We are all flawed. Some people who are held in high regard have very big character flaws in other areas. This should not hold you back from respecting them for their mastery in their one area.
I hope you have gotten something from this article. We would like to hear what you think. Please, leave a comment below.
Till next time
Vin
Originally published at https://twoguyswhoblog.com on May 10, 2019.
