I've been thinking about this, and I realized that we don't always mean the same thing when we talk about respect.

Some people believe respect is earned through a person's character, actions, and the way they treat others. In other words, you earn their respect by showing them why you deserve it.

Others believe respect is owed. This means everyone deserves a basic level of respect simply because they're human, regardless of their status, achievements, or background.

But here's where it gets interesting.

If respect is earned, does that mean someone who hasn't earned yours deserves to be disrespected?

And if respect is owed, does that mean we should tolerate disrespectful behaviour just because we owe someone respect?

I'm curious to know what you think. Is respect earned, owed, or a combination of both?