I Can't Get No...

The difference between demanding respect and commanding it are stark. When someone demands respect they are simply saying 

"show me respect. 

I demand it. 

I deserve it. 

Do it or else". 

One problem with demanding respect is the respect is a façade, superficial or fake. It's possible to respect someone as a person, whether we know him or her, but we may not give any credence to their values, what they do or what they represent. We're respectful out of courtesy or politeness. 

Many times, the danger of demanding respect means that as soon as the one who is insistent upon having it is out of earshot, the subsequent respect is gone as well.

However when one commands respect it comes from who the person is, what he or she represents, his or her accomplishments or skills. The one who commands it, rarely must ask for it as it is freely bestowed by others. 

The commander is spoken of with respect even when he or she is not around to hear it. 

If I feel I don't get the respect I deserve, then it is incumbent upon me to be the kind of person who is respected whether I ask for it or not. If somehow I feel disrespected, then either the people I'm around aren't my friends, from whom I can never expect anything more or I've not commanded their respect by being a person of  respect.

Anyway, most of the people I speak to about my endeavors are usually thinking about themselves.