In the complex and often mystifying world of romantic relationships, respect stands as the unsung hero. It’s the bedrock on which true love blossoms.
If a man truly respects you, he does more than just opening doors or offering you his coat.
It’s in his words, his actions, and his subtle gestures that reveal his character. Unraveling these signs can often be an exciting quest and one that’s very difficult if you don’t know what you’re looking for.
So join me as we solve the enigma that is the man.
1) He pays attention to what you say
A man that pays attention to his partner’s words? Does a man like that even exist?
Believe it or not, there are some men that pay attention to what you say, value your opinions, and engage in meaningful conversations.
They genuinely listen without interrupting and make an effort to understand your perspective. That means not just waiting for his turn to talk while nodding his head.
Admittedly, the bar is set so low that a man that actually listens, understands, and responds is put on a pedestal even though that’s the bare minimum, honestly.
If your man genuinely pays attention to what you say, he really respects you.
2) He respects your values, beliefs, and opinions
Continuing in a similar tone. If a man respects your values, thoughts, and beliefs, even when they differ from his own, it’s a sign of real respect.
He doesn’t dismiss or invalidate your perspectives but instead engages in thoughtful discussions to gain insight into your point of view.
A respectful man understands that everyone has their own unique experiences and perspectives that shape their beliefs, and he respects your right to hold your own values without imposing his own judgments.
What’s your experience with this?
3) He trusts you and is honest with you
Another important aspect of any healthy relationship is the level of trust you have in each other.
If a man completely trusts you and is honest at all times with you, you know he’s a good and loyal person.
It has to go both ways, of course. If I, for example, completely trusted my wife (which I do), and she didn’t trust me (she does), our marriage would be in real danger.
Not only because I would be really annoyed by her distrust in me but because she wouldn’t be at ease each time I went somewhere without her. That’s no way to live life, yet many couples function that way.
In more conservative communities, women have very little autonomy, which in 2023 boggles the mind, doesn’t it?
4) He is there for you
Availability is something we take for granted these days. We all have our phones constantly with us and can check our texts, emails, and notifications at any time, day or night.
Emotional support and availability are completely different animals. Yes, I can read a message from my wife anytime, but do I really get the message?
If I don’t offer my emotional support, listen to her concerns, and empathize with her feelings, what am I doing then? I’m just a warm body next to her, in that case.
Being there for you is also closely related to the following sign of respect.
5) He celebrates your achievements
A man who truly respects you won’t only recognize but also celebrate your achievements, no matter how big or small they are.
He understands that your successes are not a threat but a cause for celebration and will take pride in your actions, victories, and accomplishments and encourage you to reach your full potential.
These celebrations don’t have to be some grand parties or gestures, especially if the achievement isn’t that “big.” They have to be proportional.
Celebrating your achievements can take many forms, and it largely depends on your personality and preferences. If you don’t like or don’t want praise, so be it. Better not to push it.
This is the perfect gateway for my next point.
6) He takes your needs and wants into consideration
We all have our needs, wants, and desires. They don’t disappear just because we’re in a marriage or in a relationship.
It’s such an important aspect of a relationship to respect each other’s needs that I can’t stress this enough. If they are buried deep down, or we can’t even discuss them, our happiness levels will drop off a cliff.
If your partner genuinely respects you, they will take your needs and wants into consideration when making decisions or plans.
He’ll also show willingness to compromise and find solutions that work for both of you, as your happiness and well-being matter to him.
7) He’s not too proud to apologize
Admitting that they’re wrong is extremely difficult for some men. Their ego is so huge that it doesn’t let them apologize for almost anything.
Living with such a person is ungrateful and can cause big tensions in the relationship.
On the other side, if your man isn’t too proud to apologize when he’s wrong, he obviously cherishes you and values the relationship more than his ego.
If his ego is generally massive, I can’t stress enough how difficult it must be for him to admit he was wrong, even to you. Men are weird, aren’t we?
There are also situations when men apologize too much. It’s another unhealthy extreme that’s often a sign of low self-esteem.
Let’s see what else is there.
8) He defends and supports you when necessary
Does your man defend and support you when necessary? I’d hope so.
If someone disrespects or mistreats you, he shouldn’t stay silent but instead stand up for you and address the situation in a respectful and assertive manner. Even if it’s coming from his mother, or especially then.
There’s really no need for him to bow his head to anyone that’s disrespecting you.
9) He shows patience with you
Patience is an essential quality in any relationship. I could list a hundred different ways that it’s important.
Here’s one example that happens probably more often than it should. You’ve had a rough day at work and come home feeling upset and frustrated.
Your partner senses your mood and patiently gives you the time and space to process your emotions.
He doesn’t press you for details or demand immediate explanations but offers a listening ear and support when you’re ready to share.
Or, for instance, when you express your desire to explore a new career path or pursue further education.
Instead of pressuring you to make quick decisions or doubting your choices, he shows patience and support.
It’s because he understands that personal growth takes time and encourages you to take the necessary steps at your own pace.
10) He’s tolerant of your flaws and mistakes
We all have our flaws and imperfections. I, for one, am stubborn and too inert at times, while my wife is sometimes clumsy.
We make mistakes left and right, but these blunders are no bigger than fruit flies in the grand scheme of things.
I try to be as tolerant of her shortcomings as she is of mine. If you let them get to you, there’s no way to run anyway. We might as well accept each other for what we are.
This brings me to the last point.
11) He treats you as an equal partner
With all that I mentioned above, it’s clear that a respectful relationship has many elements. But they all come down to treating each other as equal partners in everyday life.
A man who genuinely respects you will value your opinions and involve you in decision-making.
He will recognize and respect your autonomy, and you will make important choices together as a team.
Some people take this to the extreme where even the type of yogurt has to be agreed upon, but most of us find a healthy balance.
The alternative to that is a one-sided relationship which is something we shouldn’t strive for.
Final thoughts
Have you recognized your partner in many of the things we just went through? Does he respect you and support your aspirations?
Maybe it’s because you’re a strong woman that simply commands respect in a relationship.
On the other hand, if you don’t get as much respect from your partner as you think, you should see whether there are signs of disrespect in the relationship you shouldn’t ignore.
With respect, partners both feel safe, seen, and appreciated rather than mad, anxious, or dissatisfied.