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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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