Although I don't usually like the term "tolerance" either, I agree with your definition of it. From what I've found, people are more receptive to my views if I'm politely receptive to theirs. Behind every opinion is a person, and that person has reasons for why believing something. Trying to understand those reasons definitely forces me to appreciate people better and to keep from turning individuals with a myriad of differing views into "those other people who believe those other things." Besides, wouldn't the world be boring if everyone believed the same thing?