There’s a lot to be said for quirkiness if what is meant by this is orginality in thought and behavior. There’s also something to be said for disdain if, as Aristotle taught, it is directed at the right persons for the right reasons. As for respect, those who earn it should get it, but it should not be dealt out too liberally or else it loses all meaning. Courtesy and decency are the true coin of the realm and should be the baseline of our conduct toward every person of every condition, station in life, race, belief, or character. We are all poor creatures crawling between heaven and earth. Indifference in anything is, however, to be scorned: We have been told on good authority to spit out the luke-warm.
Take these few precepts to heart and add one more:
This above all; to thine ownself be true,
And it must follow, as the night the day,
Thou canst not then be false to any man.