Language One definition of respect is a feeling of admiration for someone or something elicited by their abilities, qualities, and achievements. An
honorific is a word or expression (such as a title like "
Doctor" or a
pronoun form) that shows respect when used in addressing or referring to a person. Typically honorifics are used for second and third persons;
use for first person is less common. Some languages have anti-honorific first person forms (like "your most humble servant" or "this unworthy person") whose effect is to enhance the relative honor accorded a second or third person. For example, it is disrespectful not to use polite language and honorifics when speaking in Japanese with someone having a higher social status. The Japanese honorific "" can be used when English is spoken. In China, it is considered rude to call someone by their first name unless the person is known by the speaker for a long period of time. In work-related situations, people address each other by their titles. At home, people often refer to each other by nicknames or terms of kinship. In Chinese culture, individuals often address their friends as juniors and seniors even if they are just a few months younger or older. When the Chinese ask for someone's age, they often do so to know how to address the person. It is also important for Muslims to treat the
Quran with great care, as it's considered the word of God. Actions like placing it on the floor or handling it with unclean hands are forbidden and should be followed by a
prayer of forgiveness. In
India, it is customary that, out of respect, when a person's foot accidentally touches a book or any written material (considered to be a manifestations of
Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge) or another person's body, it will be followed by an apology in the form of a single hand gesture () with the right hand, where the offending person first touches the object with the finger tips and then the forehead and/or chest. This also counts for money, which is considered to be a manifestation of the goddess of wealth,
Lakshmi. Pranāma, or the touching of feet in Indian culture is a sign of respect. For instance, when a child greets their grandparents, they typically will touch their hands to their grandparents' feet. In Indian culture, it is believed that the feet are a source of love and power. In many African/West Indian descent communities and some non-African/West Indian descent communities, respect can be signified by the
touching of fists. Many gestures or physical acts that are common in the West can be considered disrespectful in Japan. For instance, one should not point directly at someone. When greeting someone or thanking them, it may be insulting if the person of lower status does not bow lower than the person with higher status. The duration and level of the bow depends on many factors such as age and status. Some signs of physical respect apply to women only. If a woman does not wear cosmetics or a brassiere, it is possible that she will be considered unprofessional or others may think she does not care about her situation. ==Respect as a virtue==