Politeness

Robert Heinlein famously said ....  

“An armed society is a polite society. Manners are good when one may have to back up his acts with his life.” 

  Politeness also smooths the flow of life.   One does not give up freedom if one voluntarily makes others more at ease.  For example:

If you carry a long gun ( rifle ) into a restaurant , a bar , a church.... it is polite to keep it in a gun bag.  Many people feel safer and it does not prevent you from whipping the rifle out and blasting the bad guys.  How often does one have to access a gun in less than 5 seconds anyway ?  What is the probability ?  A holstered pistol is going to be a better tool anyway ?  It would not be polite to clean your gun at the table for a school bake sale.  If you don't see why guns are better kept discretely visible or invisible .... I will lecture you no further.

If you go into a Catholic church,  it is polite to avoid wearing a shirt that says the Pope is a $#&%@.

As with any concept  .... politeness can be overdone   or be foolish

 

tags:   #OpenCarryPoliteness   #Politeness