10 Signs Of Lack Of Respect In A Relationship

Respect is an essential component of a healthy relationship. If there are signs of a lack of respect in a relationship, it becomes toxic, and it will fail.

No relationship is perfect. Period. Sometimes people we love do things that upset or hurt us, but there is a line that must not be crossed. When these signs of a lack of respect in a relationship pop up, reassess if daily interactions are still grounded in mutual respect.

# Verbal abuse

Most romantic relationships involve a certain degree of teasing and friendly banter especially if a couple is close or has a long-established relationship before they got together. But if left unchecked, innocent jabs can devolve into verbal abuse. Verbal abuse is not only hurtful, but disrespectful.

Teasing becomes verbal abuse when one partner resorts to personal attacks and makes use of their partner’s personal insecurities against them. If this happens frequently enough, respect will totally fly out of the window.

# Invading your partner’s privacy

Even if two people are in a romantic relationship, respect your partner’s right to privacy. Privacy is a human right that’s even protected by laws in many countries.

Being romantically involved with a person doesn’t give anyone the right to check their phones, emails, social media accounts, or written correspondence without asking for their partner’s consent.

# Embarrassing your partner in public

What’s worse than subjecting your partner to verbal abuse? Doing it in public where they are most vulnerable. Most people have that cringe-worthy experience of witnessing someone screaming at their partner. If you felt discomfort or shame for the person receiving the abuse, imagine how bad the person must have felt in that situation.

As the saying goes, never hang your dirty laundry in public. If you argue, do it in the privacy of your own space for both your sakes. Public shaming digresses way beyond the realms of disrespect. It can be considered a form of emotional abuse and one of the clear signs of a lack of respect in a relationship.

# Invading your partner’s personal time

Surprising your partner with flowers or a home-cooked meal at work is considered sweet when done occasionally, but invading their personal time with friends, family, or work time when they’re busy is downright disrespectful.

# Talking over your partner when they’re trying to say something

Talking over your partner when they’re trying to say something shows that you’re not keen on listening. And when you don’t listen enough, it shows that you don’t care for what they think, feel, or whatever they want to convey to you.

Remember, proper communication is one of the key foundations of a lasting relationship. When one partner fails to listen, it damages the relationship. There’s a reason why you allow a person to finish speaking before you say your piece. Whether it’s your boss at work, your parents, friends, or your partner, not interrupting their speech is a form of respect.

# Always late for dates or appointments

There are times that we brush off our partner being late once or twice. After all, extend a little patience. Don’t ruin your day by getting all angry because they’re a little late.

But if your partner is consistently late to everything, it only shows that they don’t value your time and effort. If you wouldn’t dare to be late to a meeting for work, then show up on time when seeing your significant other.

# Frequently flaking on your partner

On the topic of time, frequently flaking on your dates is another grave form of disrespect and one of the clear signs of a lack of respect in a relationship that shouldn’t be ignored. A person who suddenly and frequently cancels on a pre-agreed appointment shows that they don’t value the time that they allot for you.

# Your partner only meets you when it’s convenient for them

A relationship follows a form of a social contract in order for it to work. To a certain degree, both partners must participate in the activities of the other. And mutual effort should be exerted by both partners. Once you disrupt this balance and one person does not extend the same effort as the other, it shows disrespect towards the other.

A healthy, respectful relationship has both partners extending balanced effort and patience to spend time together. After all, true love is motivated and no matter how far, how tight the schedule, and how bad the weather is, a healthy relationship will have both partners find a way.

# Belittling achievements

It can be common for one partner to be more successful than the other. After all, people are not equal in abilities or their drive for success. Healthy relationships are partners supporting each other… even if their achievements don’t necessarily match.

# Breaking promises

A promise to your significant other, no matter how simple, carries a great weight and responsibility. Breaking a promise damages trust and respect within the relationship. Breaking your promises devalues your word and reliability. It might even put your ability to commit in question.