The 18+ Club: What Constitutes Respectful Behavior?

Respect in General

Much behavior is neutral when it comes to the matter of respect, but some behaviors stand out as more respectful or less so.

Respectful Behavior:

• Using manners (e.g., "please", "thank you", "yes ma'am", "no ma'am")
• Giving the benefit of the doubt (e.g., "Maybe she didn't mean it that way", "Maybe I misunderstood", "Maybe it was a typo")
• Addressing people as they wish to be addressed (e.g. their first name, "Mr." last name, their nickname, etc.)

Disrespectful Behavior:

• Name calling (e.g., "poophead", "philistine", "loser")
• Put downs (e.g., "she's an idiot", "he's ugly", "what a sap", "she's so fat")
• Public defamation (i.e., non-evidenced character attacks)
• Villainizing (e.g., "he's a monster", "she's a horrible person", "he's pure evil")
• Addressing people by unwelcome names (e.g. disliked "pet" names, disliked abbreviations or alterations of their name such as "Will" or "Willie" for someone who goes by "William", character attack names--which is covered by name calling)