All posts tagged: Polite

11 Polite Phrases People With Good Manners Say That Have Gone Out Of Style With Gen Z

11 Polite Phrases People With Good Manners Say That Have Gone Out Of Style With Gen Z

Published by Jenni Sidey

As a study from the University at Buffalo explains, shifting minds contributes to shifting behaviors amongst individuals. Especially as societal norms and expectations change with every new generation, the collective mindsets that influence things like “manners” change along with them. While young people have their own reasons for changing behaviors and pushing back on social norms, the polite phrases people with good manners say that have gone out of style with Gen Z are sorely missed. Especially as narcissism and entitlement continue to grow, they’re needed more than ever. Here are 11 polite phrases people with good manners say that have gone out of style with Gen Z 1. ‘Please’ Drazen Zigic | Shutterstock According to a study from Social Psychology Quarterly, saying “please” and “thank you” is becoming less common amongst young people, but also across all age groups. As we’re pushed into a more entitled culture, where comfort and convenience are more important than connection and respect, fewer people are taking the effort to offer this basic respect. While it might seem like a small shift, …

Japan Tops Canada As World’s Most Polite Nation

Japan Tops Canada As World’s Most Polite Nation

Published by Jenni Sidey

What makes a country “polite”—and which ones stand out globally? A new survey of over 4,600 respondents by Remitly reveals a clear frontrunner. Japan alone captured more than 35% of all votes, far ahead of every other country on the list. As Visual Capitalist’s Gabriel Cohen shows in the chart below, the ranking highlights how perceptions of politeness vary worldwide, while also revealing strong regional patterns across Europe and Asia. Perceptions of politeness can shape everything from tourism experiences to international business relationships. For travelers, these rankings often influence expectations around etiquette, hospitality, and day-to-day interactions abroad. Japan: The World’s Clear Favorite Japan stands far ahead of every other country, capturing 35.2% of all votes—nearly three times more than second-place Canada. No other country breaks even 15%, underscoring just how dominant Japan’s reputation is globally. Japanese culture is famous for its high emphasis on respect, etiquette, and social harmony. The country’s blend of tradition and recognizable cultural exports has helped it become well-regarded nearly everywhere. Certain traits associated with local culture no doubt contribute to the Japanese …

The Best Fisherman Sandals of 2026 Are the Polite Way to Show Feet

The Best Fisherman Sandals of 2026 Are the Polite Way to Show Feet

Published by Jenni Sidey

A few years ago, hunting down the best fisherman sandals money could buy felt like a tough, thankless task. The strappy leather silhouette, which originated on the Mediterranean coast, couldn’t compete with the chokehold of clogs, Birkenstock sandals, or slip-on loafers. But then, all of that changed. Fisherman sandals—defined by their closed-toe design and cage-like strap, originally built to drain sea water drain from those fishermen’s feet fast—started showing up in a litany of unexpected places: on runways, in lookbooks, on guys in big shirts loitering outside small bars. The fisherman sandal had officially crossed the rubicon into fashion territory, buoyed (sorry) by fresh riffs from old-school cobblers and upstart brands alike. Whether or not you care about capital-F fashion, this development remains great news! Because fisherman sandals aren’t just cool—they truly keep you cool, while sparing everyone around you from seeing your not-quite-summer-ready toes toes. Nowadays, sourcing the best of the style requires casting a wide net (sorry, again), so I did the hard work for you. Below, 13 pairs to keep your feet …

Canada’s Polite Pogrom – The Atlantic

Canada’s Polite Pogrom – The Atlantic

Published by José Betancourt

Ted Rosenberg quit teaching geriatric medicine after 30 years because his employer, the University of British Columbia, was too tolerant. In the days and weeks following the Hamas massacre of innocent Israelis on October 7, 2023, students and colleagues alike in his academic community posted fiery condemnations of and expressions of moral disgust toward … Israel. Rosenberg felt that some of these messages crossed the line into bigotry. One note accused Israel of harvesting the organs of murdered Palestinians. Another, from a medical-school resident, warned of a sinister, unnamed group of people “pulling the strings, who have orchestrated every war to ever happen, the ones who profit off of death and sickness.” “ The way I saw it,” he told me, “that level of demonization put the whole Jewish community at risk.” He did not resign because of the messages, though; he resigned because the university wouldn’t do anything about them. “ I tried to meet with the dean,” Rosenberg said, “and he said, ‘If you feel you’re being discriminated against, put it through the DEI program.’ …

11 Phrases People Use When They Were Raised With Good Manners

11 Phrases People Use When They Were Raised With Good Manners

Published by Jenni Sidey

Well-mannered people go above and beyond displaying simple acts of politeness. In conversations at work, with friends, or among family, they do more than just say “please” and “thank you.” Whether it’s admitting their mistakes or thanking someone for their patience, if someone was raised with good manners, they’ll make sure to use these phrases often, showing that they’re considerate on a deeper level and truly care about the people around them. People with good manners know that kindness is rooted in mutual respect and that they can’t expect to be treated with compassion if they don’t show it to others. They live by example and truly believe in the golden rule. As children, they were taught to be considerate of their peers and elders, and they continue to show respect in their daily adult interactions. Here are 11 phrases people use when they were raised with good manners:  1. ‘I appreciate you’ Chay_Tee | Shutterstock People who were raised with proper manners know the value of expressing gratitude. By letting other people know they …

11 Phrases People Often Think Are Polite That Actually Annoy High-Level Thinkers

11 Phrases People Often Think Are Polite That Actually Annoy High-Level Thinkers

Published by Jenni Sidey

People often hope to convey respect with their manner by saying the right things. But what they may not always realize is that the words they use can be irritating to some people who think on a higher level. While some social interactions call for being more formal than others, it’s typically a good idea to maintain proper etiquette in your conversations. Still, there are very specific phrases people often think are polite that actually annoy high-level thinkers. Sometimes, people may try to seem as though they’re being generous or proper in their manner of speaking, while really, they come off as self-righteous or condescending. In cases like that, their politeness becomes becomes downright bothersome. And it’s not because it’s polite, it’s because it’s extremely fake, snobby, and comes from a person who thinks they’re superior to others. Here are 11 phrases people often think are polite that actually annoy high-level thinkers 1. ‘With all due respect’ Aloha Hawaii | Shutterstock It’s common to hear this phrase uttered during tense conversations or heated debates, when …

People Who Almost Always Hold The Door For Strangers Usually Have These 11 Specific Personality Traits

People Who Almost Always Hold The Door For Strangers Usually Have These 11 Specific Personality Traits

Published by Jenni Sidey

Even if we regularly overlook them, small acts of kindness and goodness in the world are powerful. It’s these small acts of cooperation and kindness that truly boost personal well-being and general goodness in the world. There’s a ripple effect when we hold the door for strangers or speak the compliments we’re thinking inside to other people, which truly empowers people to do more good in their lives. Of course, most people with these small, kind habits aren’t thinking about the big picture — they’re simply driven by things like empathy or social awareness when they’re around others. And people who almost always hold the door for strangers usually have these specific personality traits. People who almost always hold the door for strangers usually have these 11 specific personality traits 1. They’re selfless Sanja Miljevic | Shutterstock When someone is selfless, rather than constantly wrapped up in their own needs and desires, it doesn’t just manifest in large ways like emotionally supporting people through hardship or donating time and money — it can also be …

Being Polite At Work Could Be Holding You Back

Being Polite At Work Could Be Holding You Back

Published by Jenni Sidey

Being nice at work is always a safe bet. After all, who doesn’t want to be seen as agreeable and easy to work with? Even though it may be well-intentioned, being too nice can be a bad thing. Lisa Wong, a workplace communications specialist, told Kickresume that, while being polite can be a strength, it may also keep you from speaking up for yourself. It could be quietly undermining your growth and preventing you from reaching your full potential. A career expert says that being too polite at work could be holding you back. While how you communicate at work can’t predict your career success on its own, it can contribute to the networking relationships you form and the opportunities you’re offered. Wong explains that being polite actually has both positive and negative connotations, and it’s important to understand them both. Stock 4you | Shutterstock Politeness could indicate a considerate co-worker, someone who others enjoy being around and working with. Maybe they’re always willing to lend a helping hand or take on extra responsibilities beyond …

Surprisingly Polite Response to Non-Materialist Book on the Mind

Surprisingly Polite Response to Non-Materialist Book on the Mind

Published by Jenni Sidey

Stony Brook University neurosurgeon Michael Egnor and I argue—from modern neuroscience evidence—that the human mind is not merely what the brain does; it is immaterial and immortal… We steadied ourselves for pushback from atheists, whether they were Oxford dons or bloggers. But that’s not what has happened. I was surprised by the polite reception that the book has received from unexpected quarters. For example, when Dr. Egnor discussed our approach with well-known skeptic Michael Shermer and leading neuroscientist Christof Koch on Shermer’s podcast in June, the conversation was notably polite and productive. And when he discussed it—again with Michael Shermer—on Piers Morgan’s show in July, many commenters were pleased at the polite normalcy of the discussion. It was a refreshing change from the all-too-common Punch-and-Judy show; there was no hint of mere ridicule from host or opponent. Twenty years ago, there was not nearly so much openness. As co-author of a book on a similar theme—The Spiritual Brain (Harper One 2007)—I can testify that neuroscientist Mario Beauregard and I did not encounter anything like the same willingness to listen back …