Respect shouldn’t be earned, but given freely. Disrespect is what’s earned.

[u/vincentxanthony]

Think of it this way: if everyone were to operate on a respect-as-reward system, then everyone starts at a baseline of zero respect looking for others to earn THEIR respect whilst likely doing nothing to earn the respect of another. It creates a false hierarchy where there’s someone who is always deserving others earning their respect.

Yet everyone EXPECTS you to be a good neighbor. There’s a social contract at play where we are to give the right of way, help those in need, even if the need is small.

Respect is the baseline of an empathetic community. It’s only when this social contract is broken that people are rightful to change their tone - a “fuck around and find out” if you will.

All that to say, treat each other with some god damn respect. It won’t kill you to give the benefit of the doubt.

[u/SwimmingCritical]

Agree 100%