Courtesy vs. Respect — What's the Difference?
By Maham Liaqat & Fiza Rafique — Updated on March 15, 2024
Courtesy is polite behavior and manners, reflecting social norms and cultural expectations, while respect involves admiration or esteem for someone, often earned through their actions, qualities, or achievements.
Difference Between Courtesy and Respect
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Courtesy is the practice of exhibiting politeness in one's attitude and behavior towards others, adhering to societal norms and cultural etiquette. It is a basic level of kindness and consideration expected in social interactions, irrespective of personal feelings towards the other person. Respect, on the other hand, goes beyond surface-level politeness and involves a deeper sense of admiration, esteem, or recognition of someone's worth, qualities, abilities, or achievements.
While courtesy is about adhering to accepted social protocols to facilitate smooth and polite interactions, respect involves acknowledging and valuing the inherent qualities or accomplishments of others. Courtesy can be seen as a societal lubricant, essential for the day-to-day interactions that make social life more pleasant and orderly. In contrast, respect is more about personal or professional admiration and involves a deeper emotional or intellectual response.
Both courtesy and respect are vital for healthy social interactions but serve different purposes. Courtesy helps in maintaining a basic level of decency and politeness in society, making social interactions more harmonious and pleasant. Respect, however, is more selective and signifies a deeper recognition of someone's worth, influencing social hierarchy, authority, and personal relationships.
In essence, while everyone can (and should) practice courtesy towards others as a standard of social interaction, respect is something that is often earned and reflects a deeper level of appreciation or admiration for someone's qualities, actions, or achievements.
Comparison Chart
Definition
Polite behavior and manners based on social norms.
Admiration or esteem for someone, often earned.
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Basis
Social norms and cultural expectations.
Actions, qualities, achievements of an individual or entity.
Expression
Universal and can be shown to anyone.
Selective, based on individual qualities or achievements.
Nature
Superficial and obligatory.
Deep and earned.
Purpose
Facilitates smooth and polite social interactions.
Acknowledges and values someone’s worth or principles.
Examples
Saying "please" and "thank you," holding doors.
Esteeming someone for their honesty, integrity, or success.
Compare with Definitions
Courtesy
Adherence to polite social norms in interactions.
He showed great courtesy by patiently waiting his turn.
Respect
Deep admiration for someone's abilities, qualities, or achievements.
She earned the team's respect with her dedication.
Courtesy
Basic manners and politeness expected in society.
Her courtesy made a good impression on her colleagues.
Respect
Valuing someone’s rights, feelings, or wishes.
Showing respect for others' opinions fosters a healthy discussion.
Courtesy
Acts of kindness or consideration that follow societal etiquette.
Offering her seat to the elderly woman was an act of courtesy.
Respect
Esteem or consideration shown to someone.
Their respectful silence during the ceremony was appreciated.
Courtesy
The practice of being polite and respectful in a general sense.
Courtesy demands that we listen attentively when others speak.
Respect
Acknowledgment of someone’s worth or principles.
He showed respect for the cultural traditions of his hosts.
Courtesy
A way to ensure harmonious social interactions.
They appreciated his courtesy during the negotiations.
Respect
Earned through actions or character.
The teacher’s fair treatment of all students won her their respect.
Courtesy
Courtesy (from the word courteis, from the 12th century) is gentle politeness and courtly manners. In the Middle Ages in Europe, the behaviour expected of the nobility was compiled in courtesy books.
Respect
Respect, also called esteem, is a positive feeling or action shown towards someone or something considered important or held in high esteem or regard. It conveys a sense of admiration for good or valuable qualities.
Courtesy
The showing of politeness in one's attitude and behaviour towards others
He treated the players with courtesy and good humour
Respect
A feeling of appreciative, often deferential regard; esteem
I have great respect for your work.
Courtesy
A curtsy.
Respect
The state of being regarded with honor or esteem
A leader held in the greatest respect.
Courtesy
Polite behavior.
Respect
Consideration or appreciation
Can't you at least give me some respect?.
Courtesy
A polite gesture or remark.
Respect
Due regard for something considered important or authoritative
Respect for the law.
Courtesy
Consent or agreement in spite of fact; indulgence
They call this pond a lake by courtesy only.
Respect
A particular aspect, feature, or detail
In many respects this is an important decision.
Courtesy
Willingness or generosity in providing something needed
Free advertising through the courtesy of the local newspaper.
Respect
Usage Problem Relation; reference. See Usage Note at regard.
Courtesy
Given or done as a polite gesture
Paid a courtesy visit to the new neighbors.
Respect
To feel or show deferential regard for; esteem or admire
All the other scholars respect her.
Courtesy
Free of charge
Courtesy tickets for the reporters.
Respect
To avoid interfering with or intruding upon
Please respect my privacy.
Courtesy
(uncountable) Polite behavior.
Please extend them the courtesy of your presence.
He was always known for his grace, kindness, and courtesy to people of every rank.
Respect
To avoid violating
I respected the speed limit throughout the trip.
Courtesy
(countable) A polite gesture or remark, especially as opposed to an obligation or standard practice.
I offered them a ride simply as a courtesy.
Respect
To relate or refer to; concern
As respects the rights of land owners, this law says nothing.
Courtesy
(uncountable) Consent or agreement in spite of fact; indulgence.
They call this pond a lake by courtesy only.
Respect
(uncountable) an attitude of consideration or high regard
He is an intellectual giant, and I have great respect for him.
We do respect people for their dignity and worth.
Courtesy
(uncountable) Willingness or generosity in providing something needed.
They received free advertising through the courtesy of the local newspaper.
[on a label, caption, etc.] Courtesy the Smith Foundation: [e.g.] use of this image was allowed through the courtesy of the Smith Foundation.
Respect
(uncountable) good opinion, honor, or admiration
Courtesy
A curtsey.
Respect
(countable) a particular aspect, feature or detail of something
This year's model is superior to last year's in several respects.
Courtesy
(law) The life interest that the surviving husband has in the real or heritable estate of his wife.
Respect
Good will; favor
Courtesy
Alternative form of curtsey
Respect
To have respect for.
She is an intellectual giant, and I respect her greatly.
Courtesy
Given or done as a polite gesture.
We paid a courtesy visit to the new neighbors.
Respect
To have regard for something, to observe a custom, practice, rule or right.
I respect your right to hold that belief, although I think it is nonsense.
I respect your right to feel offended, even though most people, myself included, totally disagree and don’t find the comment offensive in the slightest.
Courtesy
Supplied free of charge.
The event planners offered courtesy tickets for the reporters.
Respect
To abide by an agreement.
They failed to respect the treaty they had signed, and invaded.
Courtesy
Politeness; civility; urbanity; courtliness.
And trust thy honest-offered courtesy,With oft is sooner found in lowly sheds,With smoky rafters, than in tapestry wallsAnd courts of princes, where it first was named,And yet is most pretended.
Pardon me, Messer Claudio, if once moreI use the ancient courtesies of speech.
Respect
To take notice of; to regard as worthy of special consideration; to heed.
Courtesy
An act of civility or respect; an act of kindness or favor performed with politeness.
My lord, for your many courtesies I thank you.
Respect
To relate to; to be concerned with.
Courtesy
Favor or indulgence, as distinguished from right; as, a title given one by courtesy.
Respect
(obsolete) To regard; to consider; to deem.
Courtesy
An act of civility, respect, or reverence, made by women, consisting of a slight depression or dropping of the body, with bending of the knees.
The lady drops a courtesy in token of obedience, and the ceremony proceeds as usual.
Respect
(obsolete) To look toward; to face.
Courtesy
To make a respectful salutation or movement of respect; esp. (with reference to women), to bow the body slightly, with bending of the knes.
Respect
(Jamaica) hello, hi
Courtesy
To treat with civility.
Respect
To consider worthy of esteem; to regard with honor.
Courtesy
A courteous or respectful or considerate act
Respect
To look toward; to front upon or toward.
Palladius adviseth the front of his house should so respect the uth.
Courtesy
A courteous or respectful or considerate remark
Respect
To have regard to; to have reference to; to relate to; as, the treaty particularly respects our commerce.
Courtesy
A courteous manner
Respect
The act of noticing with attention; the giving particular consideration to; hence, care; caution.
But he it well did ward with wise respect.
Respect
Esteem; regard; consideration; honor.
Seen without awe, and served without respect.
The same men treat the Lord's Day with as little respect.
Respect
An expression of respect of deference; regards; as, to send one's respects to another.
Respect
Reputation; repute.
Many of the best respect in Rome.
Respect
Particular; point regarded; point of view; as, in this respect; in any respect; in all respects.
Everything which is imperfect, as the world must be acknowledged in many respects.
In one respect I'll be thy assistant.
Respect
Relation; reference; regard.
They believed but one Supreme Deity, which, with respect to the various benefits men received from him, had several titles.
Respect
Consideration; motive; interest.
To the publik goodPrivate respects must yield.
Respect
(usually preceded by `in') a detail or point;
It differs in that respect
Respect
The condition of being honored (esteemed or respected or well regarded);
It is held in esteem
A man who has earned high regard
Respect
An attitude of admiration or esteem;
She lost all respect for him
Respect
A courteous expression (by word or deed) of esteem or regard;
His deference to her wishes was very flattering
Be sure to give my respects to the dean
Respect
Behavior intended to please your parents;
Their children were never very strong on obedience
He went to law school out of respect for his father's wishes
Respect
A feeling of friendship and esteem;
She mistook his manly regard for love
He inspires respect
Respect
Courteous regard for people's feelings;
In deference to your wishes
Out of respect for his privacy
Respect
Regard highly; think much of;
I respect his judgement
We prize his creativity
Respect
Show respect towards;
Honor your parents!
Common Curiosities
Why is courtesy important in society?
Courtesy is important for maintaining basic levels of kindness and consideration, ensuring smooth and pleasant social interactions.
How is respect earned?
Respect is often earned through one's actions, integrity, achievements, or how one treats others.
Can you have courtesy without respect?
Yes, you can show courtesy (politeness) to someone without necessarily having respect (deep admiration) for them.
Are there cultural differences in how courtesy and respect are shown?
Yes, cultural norms significantly influence expressions of courtesy and respect, with different societies having varied expectations and practices.
Is courtesy the same as respect?
No, courtesy is about polite behavior according to social norms, while respect is a deeper admiration for someone based on their qualities or achievements.
How can someone show respect?
By actively listening, valuing others' opinions, acknowledging their achievements, and treating them with fairness and integrity.
Can respect be lost?
Yes, respect can be lost if the behaviors or actions that earned it change or if the person acts in a way that undermines those admired qualities.
Is respect always positive?
Respect is generally positive, reflecting admiration or esteem, but it can also be accorded out of fear or in recognition of power, which may not always be positive.
Can courtesy lead to respect?
Courtesy can lay the foundation for positive interactions that may eventually lead to respect if accompanied by actions or qualities that earn admiration.
How do courtesy and respect affect relationships?
Courtesy can make interactions more pleasant and respectful, while genuine respect can deepen relationships by acknowledging and valuing the inherent worth or achievements of others.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
