(Here -ness is a predicate modifier that transforms the predicate polite, which applies to ordinary (usually human) individuals, into a predicate over quantities of the abstract stuff, politeness).
She ascribes "politeness" - the most contrived, "civilised" of human motivations - as the reason for writing her first book.
This paper argues that next-generation computing needs to include the essence of social intelligence – the ability to recognize human social signals and social behaviours like turn taking, politeness, and disagreement – in order to become more effective and more efficient.
But there are limits to my politeness when a few powerful people threaten the basic human right of health care.
It's not okay to support the flawed mentality that politeness is so necessary in any given exchange with another human that its absence justifies a weapon to the face.
"It's a very strange situation of politeness and silencing – the Russian government will say there's no human rights violations, but will then remove Peter Tatchell and his banner about gays in Chechnya from the Red Square".
And we Germans could do with a good deal more of the politeness, consideration and respect that people in Britain show to their fellow humans.
I'd rather hear a flight attendant relate to me as a human being "F you all!"-- than be on the receiving end of phony, passive aggressive politeness.
