Respect
"Respect must be earned" is a phrase most of us have heard before, and something that should be put into practice as we go about our daily lives. It's basic manners and common sense. Yet some people, specifically adults, don't seem to realize its importance.
When I'm around adults I respect them by default, because I was raised to be a decent human being. However, this respect is not permanent; it exists only until the other person makes me think otherwise. And once that respect is lost, it takes a lot to earn it back. I don't hold grudges, but I'm not a child, and if you want my respect you must treat me accordingly.
In my opinion, adults are basically teenagers trapped in an older person's body, with responsibilities, assets, and a bit of experience. Age to me is nothing but a number. Some adults have a lot more growing up to do, and even those that don't still have a lot to learn and experience. They're no better or smarter than I—they are just a couple of years older.
So naturally, it irritates the hell out of me when they demand my respect without earning it. It irritates me even more when they're rude, immature, or just plain assholes and still demand my respect, almost as if it's expected just because they're older.
I'm sorry, but if that's the kind of game they're into, the kind where they can act however they want and hide behind their "adult status," then I refuse to play. And that goes for adults and people my age. There shouldn't be a difference, and to me, there isn't. We should all respect eachother regardless of age or status, and if you're not ready to join in this little game I like to call Manners And Common Decency, you'll have to step aside and let the grown ups through.