KristieJun 30

New piece of writing on how British politeness and 'manners' are the last surviving pillars of the Empire.

'Not all legacies of the British Empire are loud. Some are quiet, habitual, and dressed in good intentions. In the UK, tone still trumps truth, and politeness remains more culturally sacred than justice.'

https://kristiedegaris.substack.com/p/please-thank-you-and-other-forms-of-control

#Writing #WritingCommunity #Culture #Scotland

Please, Thank You, and Other Forms of Control

How politeness is the last surviving pillar of the British Empire. Not all legacies of the empire are loud. Some are quiet, habitual, and dressed in good intentions. In Britain, tone still trumps truth, and politeness remains more culturally sacred than justice.

Kristie De Garis
Show threadUckermark MacGyver 
@kristiedegaris wow, brilliantly put. Very much this!!!
Jun 30 at 8:08amWeb
Show threadKristieJun 30
@maxheadroom Thank you for reading!
Show threadUckermark MacGyver Jun 30

@kristiedegaris I feel like this kind of pattern has also creeped in in the corporate world. Speaking up is considered harmful. Disturbing the perceived team harmony. As you describe it.

On the other hand... speaking up unfiltered might also cause damage and not support your case.

I like your text very much as it's speaking up but not in a too disturbing way. I hate to say it, but it's also kind of "polite". You could have used much more drastic words and swear and curse etc. But the way you put it still provokes thoughts, makes a strong point without being offensive. Thats and art

Show threadKristieJun 30

@maxheadroom When I'm writing, my goal is to broaden people's thinking, not drive them away. But of course, there is a separate, personal part that's furious, exhausted, and also hurt by experiencing this culture.

My own experiences within professional settings very much mirror what you are saying.

Show threadUckermark MacGyver Jun 30
@kristiedegaris I can totally relate. And this can probably lead to a kind of politeness burnout. Similar to things like "autistic burnout" where people on the autism spectrum mask like "normal" people. But it costs them so much energy that they get an actual burnout from it.
I can totally imagine that this happens for a politeness burnout as well.