10 Ways to Build a Respectful Relationship

Relationships are built on love, honor, trust, and RESPECT.

You can't love someone that you don't respect. The words go together. Love and disrespect are complete contradictions. Little displays of respect will go a long way in building a relationship.

1] Talk as if they are always around.No matter where you are or who you are around, carry on a conversation as if your partner is right there listening. Anything that would not be said directly in front of them, should not be said to anyone else while they are not around. Practice saying only positive things about your partner, even when… well, especially when they are not around to defend themselves.
2] Stick up for them.Never let someone else say anything bad about your partner, either. If the situation arises, be ready to stand up for them. By agreeing with negative comments, you are definitely disrespecting your partner.
3] Pick one personality and stick with it.I, personally, couldn't care less if my man is macho around his friends… as long as he is macho with ME. It isn't right to be one way in front of your partner and another way around everyone else. One of them has to be the real you… figure out which one it is and stick with it.
4] Appreciate their actions.You can't expect your partner to do more things for you if you don't appreciate what they already do. Even if it's something terribly small, thank them every chance you get.I spent weeks receiving Almond Joy candy bars from my fiancé. I would thank him with a big hug and even bigger smile. I still have the candy bars, though. I hate coconut AND almonds :/ I didn't have the heart to tell him… I've always focused more on encouraging behavior like this and didn't want him to think I wasn't appreciating him.I eventually told him the truth and now I get Now-n-Laters =]] Which brings me to my next rule...
5] Always be honest.No one respects a liar. Lying becomes a way of life once you get caught up in it. Don't ever start lying to your partner.
6] Be humble.In my opinion, the best way to gain my respect is to show me that we are on the same level. The minute anyone, especially someone of the opposite sex, acts like they are better than me, I lose all respect. Not to say that I'm better than anyone, I'm not. I just don't see how people think they will gain fans by putting others beneath themselves.
7] Listen, Listen, Listen!More than likely, your partner has already told you what they expect from you. What better way to show them that you respect them than to actually do it? Now, people don't usually come out and tell you "I want you to do this." But if you listen to them close enough (or even watch their actions,) you can figure out what they expect of you.Most partners treat their partner the way they would like to be treated. Watch what they do and return the favors ;)
8] Expect nothing more than what you give.I will never undertand relationships where one person caters completely to the other while receiving no respect for their actions. I cater to my man, no doubt, but only because he's been working for 9 long, hot hours just for me. There's no way I can make up for that! It's my way of repaying him for his hard work.But I would feel very disrespected if my partner and I had the same jobs, then I had to come home a cater to someone who did nothing more for me. You're called partners for a reason… not boss and employee. 
9] Hold on to the benefit of the doubt.Never go looking for trouble. It is always there to find, trust me. If trouble makes its way into your day, never assume it's your partner's fault before knowing the details…  in fact, review EVERY OTHER aspect of the problem before even bringing your partner into it.
10] Never break a promise.Your word is all you have. If you break petty, little promises, how in the world is your partner going to believe that you will keep the big promises, such as vows? You build your way up to those. The small promises are very important to keep, not only to gain respect, but to gain trust.