Pearl Nash
Everyone wants to be respected, but respect needs to be earned.
It shows that people trust and value you, because of the way you treat them and navigate situations.
But how do you know if you’re truly respected and liked?
Sometimes, especially in the hustle and bustle of daily life, it can be easy to miss the cues that tell us we’ve earned the respect of others.
The good news? There are specific phrases people use that hint at a deeper appreciation for you than you might realize.
Today we will identify 5 of these phrases.
1) “I appreciate you.”
This may seem like a no-brainer, but it’s one of the surest ways to confirm that someone has respect for you.
It tells you that they sincerely appreciate your presence and the effort and time that you spent helping them out with something.
When I started my first job, I didn’t have a benchmark on how I was doing. I met my deadlines but there was no indication of how I was performing in the eyes of my supervisor and my colleagues – which made me very unsure of myself.
So when my colleague pulled me aside one day to thank me for all the help I had given her and the team in support of a project we were assigned to do, it really showed me that I was respected and valued.
All this while I had no clue on how I was doing until I received feedback from my colleagues and it really meant the world to me.
While we shouldn’t base our identity on the approval of others, sometimes, it’s a good reflection of how people see us.
It shows that you’re appreciated wherever you’re at, which does motivate you to do better.
2) “What do you think?”
When someone values your opinion, they will make it a point to seek your input to guide their decision-making.
They recognize your ability to give valuable input that will help put them on the right path.
Do you notice people asking for your opinion frequently? They may share their struggles – both small and big, because they trust your judgment.
I know this because there are people in my life that I will turn to before I make decisions, or when I just need a listening ear.
They often know what to say and while they may not have the answer to all my problems, I know that they will steer me in the right direction.
These are people who usually have experience, are open-minded and most importantly, whose opinions I trust and value.
Therefore, if you find that people regularly and genuinely ask for your opinion, it’s a clear sign that they respect and like you more than you think.
3) “Tell me more about this.”
Another clear sign that you’re respected and liked more than you realize, is when people want to hear your perspective on things.
Perhaps they know that you’re a subject matter expert on a particular topic, or that you simply have consistently good insights to give.
Whatever the case, people enjoy wanting to hear what makes your mind tick.
If you find that people often ask for your perspective on things ranging from politics, pop culture, philosophy, or just generic questions about life – it shows that they’re genuinely interested in your opinions.
I love starting conversations with intelligent people, or those who are able to give objective and insightful views on things.
When I hear them talk, they share perspectives I haven’t considered, which really enriches my worldview. It helps me better appreciate and understand the topic at hand, which is what makes their presence so much more valuable.
4) “I knew I could count on you.”
When someone tells you this it shows that they already know you’re someone dependable, who can get the job done. Perhaps you have a track record of helping others and getting things done, which is why people often ask you for help.
You may overlook the assistance you gave to the people around you, maybe because it doesn’t really take much of your time or effort, but it’s the willingness to go out of your way to lend a helping hand.
And people remember these things.
Sometimes, there’ll be people who will tell you this in front of a group – as a form of public recognition of your efforts.
These are usually the clearest signs of respect as it shows how much they value your input and the impact you have on them.
If you don’t know how much you’re appreciated, hopefully, you’ll get a better idea after hearing this phrase from the people around you.
5) “I enjoy spending time with you.”
It’s not often that we meet people who we can vibe with, let alone, want to hang out and spend time with.
So when we find people we can click with, we tend to stick close to them.
If you have friends who often tell you this after spending time with them, it’s a clear indication that they genuinely like and enjoy your presence.
When I first moved into my current place, a neighbor reached out to me just to help me settle in. We clicked immediately after realizing that we had similar interests in food and music. Not only did she help me feel more settled into the neighborhood, but it felt great to have a friend.
I’d tell her that I enjoy our conversations and the time we spend together as I wanted her to feel appreciated.
So, if you have people who text or tell you this, you may be more respected and liked than you realize.
Concluding thoughts
Now that you’ve reached the end of the article, do any of these phrases seem familiar to you? If they do, and you’ve heard people tell you these, you may be more well-liked than you know.
The next time someone uses these phrases, don’t brush it off. Acknowledge them and strive to be consistent in your behavior. These phrases serve as good reminders and encouragements to show that you’re on the right track toward forging positive and strong relationships with the people around you.
