Whining is okay on this site! (But we don't let you get away with it for TOO long lol)

I was thinking about this further... some of the things I do that "command" respect, well, I learned from the military and being in command...

I carry myself with respect... Hold my head up, look at people when they talk to me, give them plenty of time to talk before responding, and I don't respond the way they might wish if they are speaking ill of someone or something, but counter it softly (yep, I do) with an idea that other factors might be involved. Not making frivolous requests help to have your important ones acknowledged.

Not engaging in gossip and certainly not beginning it helps others respect you too. If you have strong beliefs about God or general morality, then be strong in speaking your unappreciation when someone uses His name in vain, or perhaps uses a curseword you don't appreciate. (I would rather you didn't use that word...) People with convictions are appreciated for having them even if others hold different ones.

Now, there will be those who won't respect you no matter what, and you have to decide that they are people whose respect probably doesn't mean much anyway. sigh.