Polite language is used to create social distance and to avoid offending, or appearing rude towards, others. The level of polite language used is determined according to the Principle of Appropriateness; it depends on how much social distance exists between the interlocutors, the formality of the situation, how the power in the relationship is balanced, and, if a question is being asked, how imposing the request is to the person who is required to carry …
showed first 75 words of 1048 total

showed last 75 words of 1048 total
…informal situations. Politeness serves many purposes, including creating social distance, avoiding conflict and "saving face"; however, our ideas of what constitutes polite language are always changing. The level of polite language that we use is adjusted according to the situation and what we deem as appropriate. When using this language, however, one must be careful not to create too much social distance; this results in social friction and one may be thought of as cold.