star wars - How are the Jedi Perceived by Citizens of the Republic?

I've seen, in the movies and The Clone Wars, some reactions from "normal" citizens to the Jedi, but I'm wondering how they were seen overall by most people in the Republic (or New Republic, as well).

Do people see them as some kind of legendary beings, as rescuers, or are they like the police, where some respect them and others see them as "The Man," and resent their interference?

Or are they so far removed from most people that they know more about them from rumors and speculation?

Is there anything in the Extended Universe about how any different groups or populations perceive the Jedi or anything showing a "prevailing" view that seems to pervade larger groups?

I know there's one a "one size fits all" answer, but it seems to me so much of Star Wars is shown to us through the eyes of the Jedi, that I'm wondering what the SW universe and what the Jedi seem like to those outside that group, even if it's just the view of a few other groups.

Answer

Going purely by the three prequels, there appear to be two basic reactions:

1. 
   

   The same reaction we would have toward a plain-clothes police inspector. In the better neighborhoods of planets like Coruscant, Jedi would walk into bars and order drinks with hardly anybody paying any attention to them (even though their robes were readily identifiable). During street chases, pedestrians would simply get out of the way, stare for a while and then go about their business. Although in places like the Coruscant undercity, I suppose certain characters would start running at the sight of Jedi.

   
   
   


2. 
   

   In the outer planets, where Jedi are rarely seen, they seem to be part of the local lore. Young Anakin is fascinated by them while Watto asks Qui-Gon 'Who do you think you are, some sort of Jedi?' The Trade Federation knows of Jedi powers, but ends up seriously underestimating them. They're seen as formidable--either in a positive or negative light--but rarely as a defender of justice or some such. Shmi herself was not all that impressed to meet a Jedi.

   
   

In summary, it seems that they're almost universally seen as powerful; and in parts where they frequent, as law enforcers. But that the Jedi are the honorable guardians of peace and justice--true that it may be--appears to be largely a self-perception of the Jedi themselves.