I could probably go on and on with what I do but the argument I'm presenting is that the doctor may have earned his degree but that in no way translate to earning my respect. For the sake of argument, the doctor has spent countless years in school-- does society owe him a debt of gratitude or is that effort compensated by the high cost of his services/healthcare?
Here's where I'm coming from. Lets take away the office setting. You're at a bar having a couple of drinks with some of your buddies after work. You meet new people and introduce yourself. The other person responds by 'I'm a doctor' instead of their name. BAM! Instant respect? I doubt it. I'm at a bar drinking. I don't give a crap what you do other than what NFL team you're supporting on the big screen in front of us.
My point being-- respect as an individual is not contingent on your profession.