Must admit, I don't always make it 100% of the time, to my shame.

It’s not so much that I’m not polite, it’s just that I’m blunt and up front. Which people mistake for rudeness. But, if I like you and have known you for a while, I’m more likely to sugarcoat things a bit more.

It's really important to me to be polite to everyone.

I taught my kids the same as well

I am polite until you are not! You get what you earn!

Doesn't cost a thing, feels good for both you and the other guy. It's a two way street though. If the other guy is a dick, I change my strategy a bit.

I agree with you 100%.

Not only do I try to be polite with everyone, but I also put on a smile; regardless of whatever kind of day I'm having. There's no point in compounding my or anyone else's 'issues' by being grumpy or negative.
Oh, and were applicable (like at my morning drive-through), I also remove my sunglasses when talking with anyone (like the servers).

I think it is good to be polite. However, I do not think disrespectful actions should be indulged with a polite response. I would not make a good public servant. I teach kids the same thing, if an adult disrespects you without cause, feel free to disregard their commands, authority or opinions. If you need another adult to get in their face about it, come find me.

I don't think not saying thank you or whatever when you are getting on or off the bus is too big a deal. You're taking them to where they don't want to go and possibly where they get bullied every day. Also, they could just be in a bad mood, so I don't think its too big of an issue. I always say please and thank you and greet whoever serves me, but if someone doesn't respond or whatever I just assume they're in a bad mood and don't really feel like talking. Which I totally get.

I'm polite until someone gives me reason not to be.

My real exception is when someone is unkind or rude to me or someone else. I don't hesitate to say something like, "Civliity is not your strong suit, is it?"

Property laws go a lot farther than politeness.

I'm always polite to people in modest jobs (baristas, postmen, traffic wardens etc.) because most of them work hard for very little appreciation. Rich assholes, not so much.

Quote from my mother: "Just be nice to people."

I work in a field where it is acceptable to treat service staff like shit so I go out of my way to be nice to people

I am so glad that my Mama raised me to have good manners. "Manners maketh man."

When I was a shaven headed, goatee'd metalhead dressed head to toe in black I went out of my way to be polite. Never lost the habit.

You didn't list 'Polite to almost everyone' . I am a tall, large, weightlifting, bald man who can look intimidating so I try to put out a friendly and polite vibe. Come to think of that's the kind of person I usually am anyway.

I be polite to everyone, until if and when they give me personal reason to do otherwise.

Unless they act like idiots then I can be quite abrupt

I think I’m polite,but I’m sure I have my moments...

At least intend to be. This poll doesn't capture good intentions gone wrong

I believe that having good manners is an indication of character. I don't remember the actual quote so I'm probably going to mangle it, but someone once said that you can tell a lot about the basic character of an individual by looking at how they treat people they don't HAVE to be nice to.

I try to avoid people. It lessens the chances of me being impolite.