Respect.

[Floppertje]

2. You could perhaps go as far as to say that the person who has been given the responsibility to command of the most powerful nation on Earth by said nation's citizens or someone who has kicked the ass of an interdimensional empire may have earned a shred of respect.

oh really? I can think of some prominent political figures who I don't respect in the slightest... your theory would fly only if elections weren't a massive popularity contest and the voters weren't idiots.
My approach is that when I meet someone I'm supposed to respect (the president, old people, etc.) I give them the benefit of the doubt and will respect them initially (i.e. be polite) but that can easily turn around. I absolutely hate it when people demand respect from me with no reason, especially when it's old people. sorry, but I don't think being old is proof of any kind of accomplishment (except being lucky enough to not have died in a car accident yet)

 

[Iwana Humpalot]

If he does something awesome for me or if the person has alot of power but doesn't abuse it.

 

[Lucifron]

2. You could perhaps go as far as to say that the person who has been given the responsibility to command of the most powerful nation on Earth by said nation's citizens or someone who has kicked the ass of an interdimensional empire may have earned a shred of respect.

oh really? I can think of some prominent political figures who I don't respect in the slightest... your theory would fly only if elections weren't a massive popularity contest and the voters weren't idiots.
My approach is that when I meet someone I'm supposed to respect (the president, old people, etc.) I give them the benefit of the doubt and will respect them initially (i.e. be polite) but that can easily turn around. I absolutely hate it when people demand respect from me with no reason, especially when it's old people. sorry, but I don't think being old is proof of any kind of accomplishment (except being lucky enough to not have died in a car accident yet)

I definitely agree with what you say about old people. I tend to be more polite and more eager to listen to old people than... other, less old people, but I can't say that I believe staying alive long enough for your skin to have wrinkled is enough cause for respect on its own.

Receiving the trust of the better part of 300 million people and commanding the most powerful nation known in the history of our species on the other hand, does count for something in my book. Call me a traditionalist, I guess.

 

[bdcjacko]

I agree with the OP, if you haven't personally done something for me, I will not respect you, ever. Upon meeting me, you must go through a series of test before I begrudgingly give you respect (/sarcasm)

No, I give everyone respect until they have done something to lose it.

 

[Sexual Harassment Panda]

Respect is automatic until something has been done to change that.

Anyone who thinks they matter immediately goes down in my estimation, if you can't look beyond yourself...we probably won't get along.

 

[Riff Moonraker]

What makes you respect someone? That's the question. Simple as that.

Personally, they need to earn it. I don't give respect to people due to their class or their position. They need to earn it.

Well, you've pretty much answered the question. I feel the same as you about it. How they earn it can obviously vary, but the bottom line is respect is earned. Period.