[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