Other than being a catch tune sung by Aretha Franklin, respect is a very important concept in many cultures.

Although it is received and displayed differently in each culture, it really has one meaning; a feeling of deep admiration or appreciation for someone or something, elicited by their abilities, qualities, or achievements. Respect can be both given and received, and in some places, it is thought of as a code of conduct in accord with a specific ethic of respect. Depending on each individual’s background, respect can be something that is earned or something you already hold inside you.

In fact, most cultures consider respect to be developed or built over time by continuous caring interactions, which are necessary to maintain or increase feelings or respect between people. Chivalry, however, is a whole separate subject, that is often thought of as an outward display of respect.

Often times, respect is earned by assisting others or playing an important role in society. In many cultures, individuals are deemed worthy of respect until it is proven otherwise. In Western culture, courtesies that show respect include phrases like “please” and “thank you”.  In the Eastern part of the United States, simple physical gestures like a slight bow, a smile, or direct eye contact are considered respectful.

In places a little further out, like China, Japan, or even the Indigenous parts of America, respect is a whole other concept.

In China, when speaking with someone you are not familiar with, it is respectful to use honorifics- words that convey respect when used to address a person. Other deeds that are considered respectful would be for example, using a weaker handshake, which is also done to show humility; while in America, it might be interpreted as a pansy-like quality. It is also common to see women cover their mouths when they laugh; traditionally, when a woman laughed too loudly she was considered uncouth or ill-bred.

However, the most commonly known ideology is respect for elders. Over yonder, in China, young ones are expected to be respectful towards those older than them by deferring to them, and giving them headway when they speak or sit. Basically, the older you are, the more respect you are to be treated with.

Respect is displayed a little differently in places a little closer to home, like Indigenous America, which consists of Inuit, Yupik, Aleut, Alaskan Natives, Native Americans, and the people of Central and South America. There, the perspective on respect differs slightly. It serves as an important and valued concept in their culture. The Spanish translation for respect is, a moral value that teaches people about their culture. Respect as a behavior is important in childhood and it serves as a basis of how a child must conduct themselves. To get a handle on this, a lot of children in Indigenous America engage in mature activities such as cooking, cleaning, caring for infant peers, and crop work, simply because respect is treated as a process that integrates you into society.

As many respectful gestures and actions there are, of course there had to be just as many rude and offensive ones. Americans are famous for offending citizens of other countries when traveling, so it’s no surprise that some of the most rude and obscene gestures in other countries’ eyes, come from America.

For example, in India and the Middle East, it is considered offensive and disgusting to use your left hand when eating, shaking hands, or holding something, because it is used for sanitation. Another offensive gesture in the Middle East is showing the sole of your foot, which is considered dirty. In a first hand experience, as told by Congressmen Bill Richardson, while in Iraq on a diplomatic mission, he was speaking with Saddam Hussein and crossed his leg, in turn showing the sole of his foot; Hussein was so offended, he had to leave the room.

In New Zealand and Australia, it is considered rude to sit in the back of a taxi, given there is room up front. Also in New Zealand and Australia, as well as the UK and Ireland, the “peace” sign is not so peaceful; it’s an offensive gesture similar to using your middle finger.

Some other popular and positive signs like the thumbs up, the a-ok, and high-five, are not so positive elsewhere. In places such as West Africa, South America, Iran, and Sardinia, when you show a thumbs up, your are silently telling whoever that they can go shove it where the sun don’t shine. The a-ok sign is just as obscene in Venezuela and Turkey as it is used to imply that someone is a homosexual. High fives, on the other hand, are no better. In Greece, because of the its origins in the Byzantine Empire, the high-five is used to say “I’m rubbing excrement in your face.”

In buddhist populated countries, such as China and Thailand, patting someone’s head is rude; buddhists believe that the head is where the spirit lives. As long as you’re being careful, if you’re ever in Singapore, avoid beckoning someone with your hand, unless your are sincerely trying to warn them that death is near, or if you’re in the Philippines, you have somehow mistaken them for a dog. That last one is punishable by prison time.

Since it’s a lot to remember, either keep a traveler’s guide in your pocket or simply forget any gestures you have ever used in the United States. That’ll keep you from offending people or getting arrested, as well as embarrassing yourself.
In our own school, respect has a similar theme. Written in our mission statement, Be Respectful, Be responsible, Be Safe. With the first one, you don’t really even need the others. Every good deed falls under respect. According to a survey done of the Northeastern Staff, respect means, “Treating people how you want to be treated.” Another person said, “Making people feel like they are equal and no one is better than another.” All in all, “It means treating others with kindness and not looking down on them for their differences.”