Aretha Franklin has been singing about respect for decades, but nevertheless, it still remains in short supply in life, and especially in relationships. If you’re a woman who dates men, you’ll want one who shows you basically courtesy and consideration and doesn’t cross your boundaries. How can you tell if that’s the kind of guy he is before you even go there? Look for how he acts in public — a respectful man would never do these things, especially not in full view of other people.
1. Disrespect women
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A respectful man understands the importance of treating women with respect and dignity. He never makes derogatory comments, objectifies them, or harasses them with catcalls or unwanted advances. He recognizes that women deserve to be valued for more than just their physical appearance and he would never reduce them to mere objects.
2. Get into fist fights
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Resorting to physical violence or aggression is never an acceptable way to handle conflicts in public. A respectful man tries to iron out disagreements peacefully and keep things chill. Sure, getting in a fist fight might seem like the most tempting way to solve a heated argument, but what does it actually accomplish? Nothing.
3. Make racist or homophobic remarks
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A respectful man understands the importance of inclusivity and diversity. He knows that we all have inherent biases, but he’s aware of his and makes strides to overcome them. He would never judge people based on race, sexuality, or even how much money they have or what they do for a living. He respects all people, regardless of who they are and where they come from.
4. Ignore consent
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Boundaries exist for a reason – they’re hard lines that let you know what behavior is unacceptable to a person, and they’re not meant to be crossed. A respectful man always makes sure he has consent and would never pressure anyone to do anything they’re uncomfortable with. It’s a relief, honestly.
5. Violate personal space
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This is similar to but slightly different from the above item about consent. Invading someone’s personal space without permission isn’t just disrespectful, it’s gross. No one wants people all up in their faces all the time, and a respectful gets that. He makes sure everyone he’s with feels comfortable and safe, and he never forces himself somewhere he’s never wanted.
6. Catcall or whistle at strangers
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Objectifying strangers, especially women, by catcalling or whistling is demeaning and disrespectful. It’s also just kinda lame — who does that in 2024?! A respectful man treats people with dignity and wouldn’t even think about engaging in behavior like that. He understands that catcalling and the like just contribute to a culture of harassment and objectification, making women feel unsafe and devalued.
7. Use offensive language
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We all love to curse sometimes, but a respectful man minds his manners. He understands that his words have an impact and tries to use language that promotes kindness and respect, at least when he’s in mixed company. He gets that most people, even if they’re not scandalized by hearing a few choice four-letter words, don’t want to hear nonstop profanity, so he keeps his potty mouth for when he’s with his closest friends.
8. Publicly humiliate people
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Shaming people or putting them down at any time is hurtful and disrespectful, but it’s especially bad in public when other people are around to see and hear. A respectful man encourages and supports people rather than tearing them down. He’s not here to tear down people’s self-esteem — he’d rather build it.
9. Discriminate based on religion
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Whether or not he considers himself to be religious or spiritual, a respectful man doesn’t judge anyone else based on their faith (or lack thereof). He gets that everyone has the right to believe whatever feels right to them, and it has no bearing on the type of person they are in most cases. As long as other people’s faith don’t infringe on his life or the lives of the people he loves, he’s cool with it.
10. Bully or intimidate people
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Bullying or intimidating behavior is never acceptable, and a respectful man treats people with kindness, empathy, and compassion. He understands that everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect, regardless of their age, appearance, or any other characteristic. He doesn’t need to make other people feel small to feel big himself.
11. Spit or litter
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It’s just basic manners to treat your environment with respect. This guy doesn’t spit or throw his litter on the ground because he wants to keep his surroundings clean and safe for the people around him. He understands that his actions have consequences and strives to be environmentally conscious.
12. Talk loudly on the phone
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Is there anything worse than people who take long calls on speakerphone with their phone’s volume on full blast? A respectful man, thank god, would never do this. Not only does he keep his conversations to text when he’s in public, if he does have to pick up a call, he keeps his voice low and only talks for as long as is necessary.
13. Lose it with road rage
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Road rage is a clear sign of disrespect and aggression. A respectful man stays as calm as possible while driving, which is sometimes admittedly pretty tough. However, he gets that losing it while on the road puts himself and other people in danger and just makes the whole situation worse.
14. Spread false information
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A respectful man values honesty and integrity. He doesn’t gossip or spread rumors about other people since not only is that incredibly immature, it’s also potentially really damaging for the person he’s talking about. He would never want to be responsible for hurting other people in that way or contributing to a toxic environment, so he doesn’t do it. He has zero tolerance for drama, and that’s a good thing.
15. Refuse to listen to people
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Listening is an essential aspect of respect. He doesn’t just listen to people, he actually hears what they’re saying and values their perspectives, which is refreshing to everyone he speaks to. He understands that everyone has unique experiences and insights to offer, and by listening, he can learn a whole lot about the other person and the world at large.
