Respect

Someone reminded of that word today. Respect. What does it really mean?
The meaning is " a feeling of deep admiration for someone or something elicited by their abilities, qualities, or achievements." So it started me thinking.

Being respected is something that we talk a lot about, and we always tote as a hallmark of a good relationship. What are we looking for? Respect as in admiration? Admiration for just being me? This feeling of respect comes from the persons abilities, qualities or achievements. Is it then possible to have respect for someone even if they can do something we dislike?
Do I respect the baseball player because he hit a record number of home runs, yet is a convicted of spousal abuse?

Respect for someone when entering into a relationship implies what?
You know the old adage when a guy is trying to have sex with a girl "will you respect me in the morning?" So if she does, will he still hold her to the same esteem as he supposedly does now? But is that true? I mean, if he would even entertain having sex with her when she is that concerned, is he showing respect?

Does love cause a different definition of respect?

You will hear someone say, "I respect you and therefore will not lie to you." How is that respect? Not to say that anyone should ever lie, but if the only reason I am not lying is that I respect you, does it make it okay to lie if you don't respect someone?

And what are the implications of respecting someone because of who they are or the office they hold? Does a wife owe respect to her husband because he is her husband? Or does a child owe respect to a parent simply because they are their parent? What about actions? Does that fit in anywhere?

And if we don't respect someone, can we learn to? Can they do something to gain our respect? Or something that will cause us to admire them? What if they do some things we admire and others we don't, do we still respect them?

It seems that all I have are questions, the answers may well lie deep inside. The feeling of respect is not something that can necessarily be seen outside of the relationship. The feeling of respect is something that we each feel on an individual level, and may differ from person to person.