There's often a touch too much of the sort of cynicism and Weltmüdigkeit in many of us that age seems to evoke in all humming beans in our later years and I detect a dollop here, John. Politeness (or erstwhile 'normative interactive etiquette', if you will), despite your reservations over its applications, does often serve a useful purpose in verbal communication. For one thing, it frequently helps to prevent us from immediately drawing our sword and cutting the head off anyone we disagree with (or from punching the living pahootie out of him/her/it)...or at least defers an inherent tendency we humans have to unwisely react adversely to what may well be simple ignorance or naiveté in others. Hence, I wouldn't toss the figurative bath water out too prematurely, knowing that the proverbial baby may still be in it.

I am a believer in being polite to strangers, although once one knows an individual better, such constrained candor may be lessened somewhat and/or altogether dispensed with, since in most cases 'friendship' is a preconditional gentleman's agreement to not violently dispatch someone over a mere superficiality... It also helps relax a natural sense of tenseness, distrust and/or suspicion between strangers so that a colloquy of sorts may be established aimed at better understanding. All useful qualities when dealing with the semi-irrational nature of so many others we do not have any real sense of (yet).

Politeness is also inextricably associated with what we call 'civility', a crucial social quality that appears to be increasingly on the endangered species list in America today. You might find a paper I wrote on this subject of further interest. You may find it here https://kalikianokalei.medium.com/civility-why-we-need-to-cultivate-it-in-america-today-b32f53237d74 if you care to.

On the other hand, since there are far too many people crowded onto this increasingly congested planet, perhaps we need a good healthy dose of insincerity to spark a few more global cataclysmic conflicts to help cull the herd, eh? There little argument in favor of increasing population density (at least according to B.F. Skinner and other behaviorists), after all!

At any rate, John, thanks for sharing these thoughts with us poetically. It's definitely food for thought and provokes healthy reflection on the plight of us poor humming beans, after all!

It helps to recall those timelessly prescient and inspired words of Antonius Marcus Aurelius, who said (reputedly) "The overall objective of life is avoid joining the ranks of the insane."

Cheers, K2

This one left me thankful I left the "emptiness of politeness" of my 50 years in Hollywierd behind. Now I live in a community of artists and rednecks that make me happy for the opportunity to seek out some politeness that will be truthful when I need it...but not from the rednecks. They're watching Fox.

ROBOTIC 'POLITENESS' WITHOUT THE WARMTH OF TRUE 'FEELINGS'...CAN BE COLD, ICY COLD. THANKS FOR SHARING. LOVE, BLESSINGS AND FAITH...HIS+INSPIRATIONS

As it's been said, politeness is half good manners, and half good lying. Enjoyed your insight. rlc

Politeness has saved many a slow from having his/her head cut off by an uncaring despot. On the other hand, if it's just someone whose arrogance gets on your nerves, appropriate quips might shock him and her into better behavior. So choose carefully when you wish to leave polite behavior behind and tackle a serious problem head-on.

Ron

Your poem is impeccably written, and I agree, small talk is best with certain individuals, but what I thrive on the most is the one on one deep talks and sharing. Unfortunately we live in a world of superficial talk, does not serve intimacy well. Thank you for your heart felt
poem today, Have a great weekend.

It seems to be part of the human condition...
Some are forthright and direct no matter what...
Others tell polite lies so as not to offend...
Life can be a tight rope...and some want to get through
in the simplest, easiest and best way for themselves as possible...
An interesting observation...

Diana...