Fear vs respect Certainly we all agree that respect is better than fear like you have to respect your parents rather than fearing them, However when it comes to treating people fear is the answer. Being so friendly with people make you so easy to get in troubles like they won't care if they hurt you but if they fear you they will never ever try to do something harmful to you they are going to avoid you. I have the two examples at work and at my shared apartment, believe me that f****** life is like that.