Has 'Politesse' Become That Atypical?

A vintage Laurence Fellows illustration, that has appeared here at Classic Style previously, fits well with the tone of today's post.

Said of Special Councel Robert S. Mueller III over at Politico.com:

He's well-mannered and disciplined, but can't quite fix his tie. . . Mueller attended boarding school with John Kerry, and later served four years in Vietnam with the Marine Corps, and both kinds of training come across in his physical presence. He’s quite polite, and typically makes direct eye contact with his questioners. He thanks staffers who bring him a glass of water.

Education, military service, and possible necktie issues aside, my question is this. Has basic politeness -- eye contact in conversation, please, thank you, and so forth -- really become so rare among the general populace that it warrants comment? A rhetorical question you understand. I know the answer already.

-- Heinz-Ulrich

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Mid-June Thursday Style. . .

A nother pretty typical variation on the theme for late spring, summer, and very early fall. I'm a huge fan of Madras and have several such shirts in the seasonal rotation. Lightweight, exceedingly comfortable, and even dressy when pressed and tucked in, which is the usual way of things here at Totleigh in the Wold. Now, if I had my druthers, I'd still rather be skiing the trails in the upper half of "The Mitten" (of Michigan), in the Upper Peninsula, or Ontario. But summers ain't so bad either, and I'd look pretty funny walking around in cross-country ski attire during June. -- Heinz-Ulrich

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