What Are You Passionate About?

[BrianSoddingBoru4]

See, that's precisely the sort of thing that gives me hope - it bothers you that you might inadvertently have been rude.  Even more, you're upset that someone might have noticed you being rude (even though, in all probability, you weren't).

It's that sort of foundationless guilt that may save us all. 

Boru

I take it you're the same then?

I guess I just see focus on politeness and manners as a British trait or stereotype, or at least a British ideal. (Not saying other places don't value it as well, just saying that since I'm British I recognise it my culture) So I wouldn't say I think it's foundationless; ie manners and politeness are taught, so they prosper wherever they are valued enough to be so taught, and don't where they are not. And guilt goes hand in hand with those rules being taught. I can't say I see much rudeness around where I live; people hold the door open for me just as much as I do for them etc. But I agree it's not universal, and there will always be people that don't care about it, but I personally don't see much cause for concern, at least around my area.

Very much the same, yes. I have this perpetual uneasiness of being impolite, even unintentionally.

It may indeed be a Britishism.  I was legally British (grew up in Northern Ireland), but we thought of ourselves as Irish, not British. My parents impressed on us - not in so many words, more by example - that if you don't behave well towards other people, you can hardly expect them to behave well towards you.  My father was a terrific proponent of treating people decently, politely and fairly. He also stressed than this can be done without having it seen as an invitation for other people to walk all over you.

Boru