Do you think being polite is important?

[elbow]

Do you guys think that it is important to be polite on the internet and in real life?
Is politeness more important on the internet or in real life?
Do you think there is any correlation between politeness and respect, or are words like "please" "excuse me" and "thank you" just social constraints that mean nothing? Is being polite phony if you feel rude and angry on the inside?

I'm curious to know what people on this forum think about being polite.

Myself, I find politeness to be an easy form of courtesy which I extend to all people initially out of respect, but I think this attitude is on the decline.
I try to be equally polite in real life and on the internet because I think that how you conduct yourself in society is how people will initially judge you.

[daeron]

on one side i was raised to be as polite as the situation demands, and i will always treat a girl as a queen even if shes a skunk. but thats communication skills-being polite gets you places, be it a physical, metaphorical place or a reproductive organ.

respect is an another thing-it is earned, and not easily given away. there are them an' us, if you ask who them is than you are them!

on the other hand i come from a culture that has made art form swearing, and for that i find eng lang rather redundant. i think that a common english speakin person would be rather shocked to hear a casual conversation w my mum, for example where a lot of male and female organs, as well as their proper and improper use are employed.

on the net i act as i do in the real life(no fuck you im not a real life psycho so dont even start dat shit), only minus some of the social skills that i use to get where i want to be, or to show respect.

plus its much harder to respect somwun on the net, innit?

[Mona Lisa]

I think manners are still very important and are a sign of how well one has been brought up. It helps to know the right form, but it's even more important to follow the Golden Rule.

[klaatu]

Being polite is a Good Thing. Always.

Bear in mind that we communicate on the forums here purely using little written notes. And, like e-mail, it's very easy to inadvertantly appear abrupt/rude. On-line communications lack all the non-verbal clues which tell people what you really mean. So if a message on here appears to lack politeness it may simply be down to the medium, not the messenger.

Klaatu

[Pinkavvy]

Being polite to others will make your life much easier.

[Phungushead]

Do you guys think that it is important to be polite on the internet and in
real life?

Yes! Pinkavvy has a good point on this one. I get pretty mad when I hear
totally unnecessary rude comments.

Is politeness more important on the internet or in real life?

It's important in both situations, as even on the internet you are still
talking to a real person.

Do you think there is any correlation between politeness and respect, or
are words like "please" "excuse me" and "thank you" just social constraints
that mean nothing?

To me, yes. But that was just how I was raised and I carry that belief
today. To someone else, those phrases could be meaningless.

Is being polite phony if you feel rude and angry on the inside?

IMHO, yes it is phony. But in most circumstances, it is necessary.

[Nagognog2]

I adore the polite spam emails I get that politely inform me that my penis is too tiny to satisfy any woman and that I would be rude to the female gender if I didn't purchase pills that are guaranteed to give me a great big dong. They are so very thoughtful. I would simply love to meet the people who send these to me. So I could properly express my deep gratitude for their thoughtfulness - with a hunk of lead pipe.

[StigmataLectron]

I don't mind being polite. I never say "excuse me", but I say "thanks" and the rest. It's just rather effortless to me, and it seems a lot better than to be an asshole or a non-polite dude.

[The Doors]

I think being polite is necessary, even though the other person might not to do. But being polite can be interpreted in different ways, mainly by the tone the person is using, because others don't necessarely have an elaborated vocabulary or way of talking. In my opinion, being polite is showing respect, and respect is the most important thing... Too bad this world doesn't seem to realize that.

[pharmapsyche]

I think being polite is a all around, good common gesture. I think, you should ofcourse normally act as you feel, but sometimes being polite goes beyond that. It's all about the person, i think. I think some people grow up to just commonly and unself-aware become more polite than other, depending on how you grow up and experiences you come across.

[elbow]

Thanks for your replies everyone. I feel better now that I see other people around here think that being polite is worthwhile.

I was considering giving it up....

[bonghed]

Well i'm starting to realise how important it is to other people, and making a effort, as what i actually mean and how i mean it usually comes out wrong in real life and net, i realise this now and will make a effort to think more. Yeah i think it's important if you mean it or to go places and shit.

And elbow i've been "unpolite" most of the time without meaning to be and from my experience i'd say being polite (honestly if possible) is better than the opposite in every sense.

[FrankenChrist]

Fuck yeah, shithead!

Or, in other words, yes it does matter. In some cultures more than others. Like in England. Holding doors, after you, cheers.
Anyway, that is what stood out to me when I was there.

[Woodman]

Being polite (in conversation) requires that you consider your words carefully, and when you do this it expands your vocabulary.

Impolite people, as a general rule, tend to have a limited vocabulary.

[IHrtHalucingens]

Im polite and nice to everyone, until they treat me with disrespect or in an impolite manner, then all bets are off and i can be a dick, and am proud of it.

[Forthesevenlakes]

I'd have to agree with the last post. While respect is something that must be earned, politeness is something that should be extended to everyone unless they do something drastic to violate that offering. Politeness can not only be rewarding in terms of expanding social connections (and as Woodman points out, vocabulary), but it can also keep you safe, when you consider that in many cities, at least in the US, the majority of murders are committed in avenging some perceived blow to someone's honor, like a trivial insult, jostling, etc.

[LuLu]

I think being polite is very important. It's one of the things that helps society function. If you try to be polite in life, you will be polite on the internet. As for as a correlation between politeness and respect, I feel that politeness is a form of respect for your self and other human beings. If you have to be rude all the time, something is wrong with you. Which in mho usually is selfisheness, a "I want what I want and I want it now" attitude, which is immaturity and a lack of self-discipline. Being polite when you feel rude and angry is phony, but that's one of the reasons for politeness, to learn restraint so we don't kill each other. Which sadly is going away in society.