[stephc_int13]

As a rule of thumb, the apparent politeness of the language is inversely proportional to the potential violence of the culture it comes from.

[cainxinth]

Can you give some examples, because I’m not sure that’s true. Modern Japan is famously polite and their crime rates are quite low. Likewise, I grew up in a Quaker community that is exceptionally polite and nonviolent.

[Pomfers]

I think they'd agree with that example. If we take their quote and invert it:

> apparent politeness of the language is inversely proportional to the potential violence of the culture

=> apparent politeness of language directly proportional to the peacefulness of the culture

[dools]

Japan may not be the best example. Their history of politeness extends from the extreme violence of the samurai era.

[throwawaaarrgh]

Up through the age when they nearly took over the Pacific and their wartime tactics were known for brutality

[rational_indian]

Case in point: countries with high levels of gun violence. You never know when an unhinged person might unload into you.

[bruce343434]

Not really a concrete case but an abstract and plausible-sounding hypothetical