Is this respect or fear?

Hi Chaitra, ‘Fear’ the word is correct in school I think. Kids are kept quite due to fear rather than respect, isn’t it? In work place we have to do our works perfectly which needs discipline. I don’t think there any need to ‘fear’ in office as we are perfect in our duties. My boss is not around always then also I am not talking much instead I will concentrate on my works. If anybody talks on phone in a loud voice I don’t mind to ask them to reduce the voice (I may tell, I think you don’t need the phone as your voice is loud enough to reach the person directly, that is enough to understand the person who speaks loudly).

Hi chaitra.... Just consider it as your duty where lots of respects are added, not the fear. If are obeying them blindly and stopping your mouth, then it's fear. Have a nice day.

Hi Chaitra, I never had a problem with talking to those in higher positions where I worked. I respected them as I did all those in lower positions as well. Still they are just people. I don't think it is a lack of respect to talk to them.

To me, it's definitely not fear. May be you can call it's respect. But, more perfectly I can say, you are just playing your role. Just ignore what others say.

I was taught to speak up since I was very little and my ideas were heard with respect by my parents. I was just aked to think before talking and say something only if I had a foundation for my thoughts. I have been doing that all my life and asking other people, no matter how young to do that. It is not unrespectful to give your ideas. It is absurd to say anything and when asked why do you say that have only an answer of "just because...". I do not accept that in 3 year olds and they grow up thinking.

Nice topic to discuss on, I think it is combination of fear and respect, same like you, I only talk at the time when it is needed, and talking without need is really not accepted, as one of member said, you are exposing yourself to the authoritities and for future you are putting yourself in deep water. Actually it is taught to us from our very beginning to respect your elders and seniors, and if you are not giving them respect then it can hurt them, so there is a sort of fear also, that my words may not hurt my senior or authority and in response they can do any thing to me, because, it is universal that BOSS IS ALWAYS RIGHT, if you disagree with boss you ll never say to him any thing....it is due to fear...

Dear friend, I feel it might be part of fear, may not to get any unpleasant or negative feeling of oneself. Moreover what they would respond back is unknown. I hope we respect mostly to get a pleasant result, moreover never want others to hurt also ourself to keep safe. If we respect others without fear I hope we would be much free what to say to them. But fear makes one to be talk freely to others. May be this is just my own experience.

well it should be that way because it is a sign of respect. they are superior therefore they should be shown respect :)

It can be both. Sometimes, it is no point getting involved with your superiors. An arm's length approach will work most time. Just do the work and leave the office when it is time. Do not fraternize if you do not like it. The flip side of the coin is to be buddy-buddy with everyone including your superiors. Play office politics well and you can get promotion quite easily. the best way is to play golf with your bosses and let them win!

I guess it could be considered to be a little of both. You should have respect for those above you. Fear can creep in where you least expect it. We shouldn't be afraid of those in higher authority. Perhaps we are just afraid to be rejected by them.

hello chaitra001! As a subordinate myself, but with also many subordinates under my supervision, i do prefer to work quietly and doesn't talk much at work. Don't get me wrong but doing so stem from the fact that i am partly in awe or in fear of them and partly in great respect for higher authorities, that's why. Oh, i also voice my opinion when the situation demands but otherwise, i prefer to keep quiet and work without much fuss. this awe or fear stems also from the fact, that being in higher authorities i might say the wrong things and earn their wrath unnecessarily. I also don't want to be labeled as very talkative. But when something comes up which needs that i speak out and voice my opinions, i don't hesitate to do so.

for me,I really don't talk or chat with my officers in work,even if it's out of work. I just don't feel like talking to them specially if it doesn't concern work.

I think at first, both reasons apply. When we see higher authorities especially for the first time, we tend to be silent and more reserved because we are scared that we might say or do something annoying or unpleasant in their eyes and we want to put up a good impression to them. Moreover, we also don't talk much because we want to pay them respect, not cause a scene or seek attention that they suppose to get and let them know that we are attentively listening to them. I think our fear to our superiors may lessen as we work with them longer especially with those who are more approachable or friendly and know how to relate well with their subordinates. There are authorities who doesn't make others feel intimidated or inferior. Our respect for authorities for me will remain especially when they serve as an inspiration for us to work better and succeed like them. =)

I feel the same that we tend to keep quiet because of the respect that we have towards the higher authorities. But it would also depend on the person as well. If a person is shy or afraid, even that would keep him silent in almost all cases. So, its the mentality of the person which decides the matter ultimately. We need to show restraint and respect whenever necessary but not by letting our self respect.

Dear Chaitra I would say this is the result of combination of fear and respect. Together with this I think it is the manners and etiquettes incorporated in us by our teachers and parents which makes us to act so. Apart from that, one needs to maintain the protocol and decorum of the Office also. Personally I feel and I have experienced by looking at others , by talking more with your seniors or bosses you are exposing about your self to them. We are ending up by giving them several weak points of ours without self realisation. I have seen many a people who talk senseless talks and find themselves caught in tight waters later on ! They loose their impression and they have created their own image and personality in front of the Boss which makes him easy to manipulate him or her accordingly at the time of need. I firmly believe in the proverb, Silence is Gold! I talk to the point and if time demands I get into the healthy argument in a sober way to express my views about a particular point with my Boss as need to do so as I am directly answerable to him and I am a Key position holder n my firm. I normally encourage my juniors to open up with me so that I can judge their calibre and capability, which often works out for me! Remember a worker who remains silent and accomplished the job in time is always considered to be a better than rest of the lot and he/she is always in good books of Boss. This may not be true with technical people where it is the actual work it counts and not the ability of one's verboseness! Thanks for the topic of discussion, I liked participating in it!

For me, I think its more of a fear knowing that they are in higher positions. But when it comes to things that you are at the same level,that is the time that you can consider it as a respect, maybe because they are older??right?? ^_^