www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howa...es-internet-hit.html

I don't know many polite people these days now that I come to think of it.

I think it's more a case of being polite and subtle. I reckon I'm guilty of using phrases like the one in the article and if anything I do it because I get not joy from upsetting people and coming across as a dick.

I wouldn't be surprised if it was compiled by the Dutch. I love the Dutchies but they are incredibly direct and appear not to have heard of subtlety.

Yes, it's diplomacy isn't it, really, and I approve of that - 'cept when people don't seem deserving of it. Which is quite a lot of the time.

Gilly wrote:
Especially in the work place.

Politeness is an artform where I work

Isn't language mainly used to obtain things from other people.

Or is that just modern Britain.

Imagine if humans hadnt evolved to speak,no lying just judged by actions and no politicians.

LOL

humanspirit wrote:
In a capitalist society that teaches us we are all commodities it ends up that way.

hugorune wrote:
Where I work, there are a few nice-natured blokes, but most of the staff seem to be right bossy women. There's about 50 of us in my department, and we all think we're in charge of everything.

In previous jobs, especially when in management roles, I've been careful not to upset people or piss them off by barking orders, and demanding explanations from colleagues for their actions, but it's the norm here for everyone to act like that, so you've got to do likewise or you'd be downtrodden.

Gilly wrote:
In my management days I was told I was too nice to my 'subordinates' - their word, not mine - and needed to be more of a git.

Oddly, out of the 10 'teams' that were being managed mine had the lowest sick and lateness rate, the highest target achievement rate and the highest customer satisfaction rating. None of my team left their jobs before the contract finished whilst the others lost at least half of their staff over the 12 month period. Hmmmm

Gilly wrote:
*Mumbles something about that being what the Nazis used to say then shuffles off before Gilly gives him ear aggro*

@ Hugo - I still meet up about once a year with some of the folk who were my staff 30 years ago and we get drunk and silly, just like we did at work. But we beat every target & won every incentive going, so we could get away with debauchery.

@ the mumbler -