For one thing that is how my parents raised me and my sisters. People comment on how nice our family is.
But about ten years ago I went through a "being an ashole" phase because I thought that was the way to get respect. I was rude to service people and threatening. But one day I was at the grocery store during this phase and when the cashier was ringing up my items I was staring at her and giving her a dirty look. And on my way out she looked at me like I was just any ashole out there and she dismissed me as just a typical jerk.
And that sobered me and it was an epiphany. I had to ask myself, “Did I really want to be this way for the rest of my life’? Did I really want the response I got from that cashier?. Did that really make me happy being that way?” The answer I gave myself was a resounding “no” on all counts. So now I chat with cashiers and the people around me and it feels better.
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I rarely go outside.
no need for courtliness when I’m not around people much. 
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Maybe I seem to be rude because I’m too shy. I don’t talk to cashiers yet, but I know they are doing a great work.
I smile to them and say Good Morning.
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I’m polite to a fault. Actually over the top sometimes because I’m overly nice and that puts people off sometimes, but usually the other nice people are nice too…
Since I’ve gotten older, though, I’ve started sticking up for myself in situations and speaking up more. I’m never rude but I speak up if someone else is. Trying to find a balance so that I don’t feel stepped on anymore.
I do think being polite makes the world a nicer place.
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Well, that’s half the battle. That’s a good start, that can be enough. Maybe you can try adding a friendly comment or an interesting observation about something. Its not a law that you have to talk but those people are friendly and open to be talked too. They even appreiciate someone who just make an effort to be friendly.
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Good manners are the grease that makes society run smoothly.
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i am overly polite. i also say sorry alot much to every one’s annoyance.
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I’m trying to work on that myself, @cbbrown. Just yesterday in Walmart I came around a corner and these two women were walking toward me and we all moved aside a bit for each other, but I moved more and said "sorry " to them. They didn’t say anything and I thought to myself why did I say sorry? And I shook my head and rolled my eyes. A man who was then walking toward me saw me and smiled, which was nice.
But I say sorry too much. I’m changing that.
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