So doing nothing will keep the respect. While doing something could potentially lose respect. There's something wrong with that.

I think I like this. I tend to see the potential in people and then feel let down when they don't reach my high expectations.

Treating someone respectfully is different than having respect for them.

I agree. How can you have high trust societies if your default is not to respect someone upon first interaction?

Respect is provisionally granted. Reverence is earned.

Based on behaviour only?

People lose respect so fast.

Dude, look at the work itself. Respect means to look back upon with reverence. You cannot look back upon something that has not happened, therefore you cannot respect someone you haven’t met. However, you can treat people with courtesy, regardless. But courtesy and respect are not the same thing.

Well, there's respect and respect