When I see someone for the first time in a while, and they ask, 'How have you been?' or 'What have you been up to?', it's politeness but a bit of a conversation stopper.
Ceremonies are different in every country, but true politeness is everywhere the same.
One of the things that hold together a human society is the existence of basic politeness among its members.
Politeness makes one appear outwardly as they should be within.
Politeness is only one half good manners and the other half good lying.
Never speak to an invalid from behind, nor from the door, nor from any distance from him, nor when he is doing anything. The official politeness of servants in these things is so grateful to invalids, that many prefer, without knowing why, having none but servants about them.
Kindness and politeness are not overrated at all. They're underused.
