The word politeness derives from the Latin word “politus”, which means polished. My sister put forward a theory that we may have got our politeness from the mixing of the classes, when the Upstairs and Downstairs had to start polishing up their communication skills in order to socialize together and no-one knew how the hell to do it.
The English, in particular, admire politeness, reserve and restraint, although some might say we are merely stuck up, unfriendly and cold! Not so much of the Rule Britannia, but more of the Rude Britannia? Apparently, according to some research ...
If you want to read the rest of this blog, please go to The Kindness Project, as I'm blogging there today.
Where as Canadians are just nice all around, pfft, let's pretend at least huh?
ReplyDeleteCanadians are utter darlings ... if a bit mad, if you are anything to go by :)
DeleteI'd have to agree people are more polite in England.
ReplyDeleteThank you Alex - although not sure everyone agrees LOL
DeleteWhenever I read your posts I hear someone with a British accent...and I think British people are quite polished and polite. I don't you come off as cold, just well mannered.
ReplyDeleteAh thank you Prerna :) I actually think most Americans are really polite and VERY friendly. I love them.
DeleteHa! I am hugging you now, deal with it! I adore you. You always give me a much needed laugh. Okay, I'll let go now, but just by the way, we Americans can be extremely rude and it makes me crazy! but certainly not all of us!
ReplyDeleteAwww hugging you back, Bridget!! You are so sweet. I was making massive sweeping generalizations, of course! It is much more of a cultural thing than a rudeness thing.
DeleteAmericans used to be very polite. Not so much any more.
ReplyDeleteActually, it's the same in the UK. People seem to be 'too busy' a lot of the time. But I think it is really just a different way of being brought up and I normally like the free and easy way of Americans. Just occasionally I get jolted when something happens differently than I am used to. Driving, in particular, is one of the worst things!!
DeleteClaire, Claire, Claire,
ReplyDeleteI can't believe I missed your comment when I try so hard to respond and visit each blog writer. I'm a tad late. Sorry.
I once dropped a dt coke on the plane and sprayed soda over a woman in her nineties and her two daughters. They were from London. Much to my surprise they all laughed and one daughter asked, "so, is the second round on the house?"
Can't beat a brilliant sense of humor!
Ah excellent story! Always good to laugh. Thanks so much for your comment. Never too late in my book :)
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