the.com/politeness
the social lubricant that lets us hate each other smoothly and on schedule
means The practice of behaving courteously and considerately toward others, especially through small acts of tact, deference, and good manners.
from From French 'politesse,' itself from Italian 'pulitezza' meaning cleanliness or polish — both tracing back to Latin 'politus,' the past participle of 'polire,' 'to polish' or 'make smooth.' So a polite person is, quite literally, a polished one: the rough social edges buffed away until you gleam. The same Latin root gives us 'polish' the verb, making courtesy and a shined shoe etymological siblings.
costly signalManners prove you can afford to slow down
japanese layersKeigo has multiple grammar tiers just for respect
please powerMagic words measurably increase compliance with requests
face-savingPoliteness theory frames talk as protecting everyone's dignity
survival hedgeExcessive courtesy often masks fear, not warmth