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Historically people in America arrived from all over the world, from different cultures and traditions, so it has probably been safer to interact politely rathe
by p1esk 7y ago
Historically people in America arrived from all over the world, from different cultures and traditions, so it has probably been safer to interact politely rather than sincerely.
- squiggleblaz 7y agoSurely there's no contradiction between polite and sincere. How can someone be polite and not sincere? The American tendency towards excessive but superficial politeness strikes me, from another immigrant country, as being quite rude. I would rather you be honest. How else can I know what you mean? Indeed, this seems to be required of a person in a low context culture where everyone comes from somewhere else.
- mamon 7y ago>> How can someone be polite and not sincere? "Does this dress make me look fat?" "No, of course not, my dear"
- necovek 7y agoOne could argue that there's no insincerity there: "your body makes you look fat, not this dress" ;-) Though one could argue that withholding the truth is insincere as well. Anyway, I agree you can be polite and not sincere: on ocassion, it's required (especially if your opinion is not based on enough evidence).