History Main / PolitenessJudo

Someone who is SilkHidingSteel will likely be skilled in this.

See also: DuckSeasonRabbitSeason; PassiveAggressiveKombat, MinnesotaNice, JapanesePoliteness, and ComplimentFishing. Not to be confused with VerbalJudo or OuthumblingEachOther. Also not to be confused with [[SugaryMalice Politeness Jiu-Jitsu]].

* A minor example, but in games with two-sided playing fields like Capture the Flag where being on your opponents field puts you at risk of being 'out', a valid tactic is to just casually stroll across the line, and calmly make your way towards the objective. Your opponents tend to assume that since you're not running with the rest of your team, you have some valid, non-game related reason to be on their side, and will usually let you get a fair way in before they realise somethings wrong. Of course, this only works once or twice before they start catching on, but if you're a fast enough runner to back it up once they notice you the first time...
* A surprising amount of traffic laws are meant to counter the politeness of most people. In fact traffic laws were ''created'' in part because the first traffic jams were created because people would always stop at an intersection and try and let the other person go first. One of the first things they teach you in driving school is that if you have the right of way in a situation, you are expected and should exercise that right.

** In the first book, ''Literature/StormFront'', Susan gets Harry to agree to a date by playing her "reporter for trashy tabloid" role and asking him a series of easy questions, slipping the date one in near the end. Harry doesn't get what hit him, but the barman does (and as usual, wisely says nothing).

* In ''VisualNovel/PhoenixWrightAceAttorneyTrialsTribulations'':

* ''VideoGame/{{Touhou}}: Subterranean Animism'' has this exchange.

In comedy series and family sitcoms it's not uncommon for a parent, friend, or [[LoveInterests love interest]] to vehemently object to helping the protagonist with something she wants to know or do. The StraightMan is usually being contrary because he's looking out for his own interests; though he might rationalize it as him "knowing better" or to help the protagonist, it's only rarely because what's asked is a [[FawltyTowersPlot truly bad idea]]. He'll rail and boast that ''nothing'' will change his mind, and there's ''no way'' that the protagonist will get his permission, help, or the information she wants out of him.

-->'''Seagoon:''' 'Allo, Israeli Embassy Golders Green 'ere. \\

* In ''VisualNovel/PhoenixWrightAceAttorney: Trials & Tribulations'':
-->'''Godot:''' You did it, didn't you?
-->'''Ron [=DeLite=]:''' Yes.
-->'''Phoenix:''' ...What?
-->'''Ron [=DeLite=]:''' Er...I mean no! No no no no no! I didn't do it!
-->'''Judge:''' For a second, I thought we had set the record for the shortest trial ever.

-->'''Marisa:''' That's it, now just tell me your weak point, please.
-->'''Yuugi:''' I'm one of the four Devas of the Mountain, Yuugi the Strong. My weak point is fried beans, of course[[note]]this is actually a roundabout BadassBoast, since the youkai that are weak to fried beans are oni, some of the most powerful youkai in existence. If Patchouli is Marisa's partner in this scene, she has a quiet freakout after this line[[/note]].
-->'''Marisa:''' [[LampshadeHanging Huh, I wish they'd all been this cooperative.]] Too bad I don't have any fried beans on me.

--> '''Aloth:''' You ''can't'' be serious.

-->'''Grif:''' How did you get the flag?
-->'''Donut:''' I don't know; I just asked for it.
-->'''Grif:''' Wait, that worked?
-->'''Donut:''' I guess. Is it not suppose to?
-->'''Grif:''' I don't know. We've never even thought to try that.

-->'''Moloch:''' I'm nobody's 'Happy Little Helper', got it?!
-->'''Agatha:''' Got it.
-->'''Moloch:''' Good!
-->'''Agatha:''' So -- ''I'' should get started. Can you help me carry these tools?
-->'''Moloch:''' Oh, yeah. Sure.

--> '''Priest:''' Peace be with you.
--> '''Gav:''' ''(automatically)'' And also with you. ''(Step, step, pause, facepalm)''.
--> '''Priest:''' ''(grinning)'' This isn't your first time in a Catholic church, is it?
--> '''Gav:''' Damn you people and your repetitive conditioning!

-->'''Zim:''' You can't escape by teleporter little Gaz, I've cut the power. Your pitiful attempt to escape is nothing but a PITIFUL FAILURE! Stupid, stinking humans!
-->'''Gaz:''' Doesn't this spaceship have any escape pods?
-->'''Zim:''' Of course; they're right over there. Stupid, stinking humans...wait!

--->'''Dib:''' Hey! The only way out is through my head! Anything happens to me and you're stuck here forever!
--->'''Zim:''' Bah, CURSE YOOUUUU- Wait. I can still do stuff to your legs, right?
--->'''Dib:''' I guess, but- wait! No!
--->'''Zim:''' Bah, CURSE YOOUUUUUUUU!

--->'''Zim:''' Watch, Dib! Watch as I bring a royal audience to the downfall of the human race!
--->'''Dib:''' ...I don't wanna watch that!
--->'''Zim:''' Oh, okay. ''[DoubleTake]'' [[LargeHam WAIT! THAT'S TOO BAD!]]

-->'''Nigel''': Very well then. If you refuse to go peaceably, I'm afraid we'll have to use our superior linguistic skills to ''convince'' you to leave.
-->'''Peter''': Oh, yeah? Just try it!
-->'''Cut to the guys politely leaving the bar'''
-->'''Quagimire''': Gosh, I never saw it that way...wait a minute, how the Hell did they do that!?

** In ''Literature/{{Changes}}'', Harry and some enemies accidentally fall into the hall of the Erlking who (sarcastically) refers to them as "guests". Harry quickly thanks him for his hospitality, binding them into a [[SacredHospitality contract]] and obliging the Erlking to help him out. Being the Erlking, he is not so much annoyed by this as he is impressed, equating Harry to a wily fox. Also being the [[MagnificentBastard Erlking]], he still almost manages to kill Harry without raising a finger. The only problem with this is how the hospitality extends to the enemies who landed with him, and they claim Harry sought to bring them here for the Erlking to attack. Harry ends up having to prove him claim is true by combat.

->'''Homer''': I know! I'll throw ''my own'' barbecue! It'll be the best barbecue anyone ever had, and I'll only invite who I want! That'll show you!\\
'''Ned''': Can I come?\\
'''Homer''': Sure -- D'oh!
--> -- ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'', "Lisa the Vegetarian"

* In ''Series/{{Community}}'' Annie convinces Jeff to help Pierce reconnect with his ex-step daughter via this trope.

--->'''Sherlock:''' Are you all right?
--->'''John:''' Yes, of course I'm all right.
--->'''Sherlock:''' Well, you ''have'' just killed a man.
--->'''John:''' Yes, well... ''(Realizes what he's just said)'' That's true, isn't it? But, he wasn't a very nice man.

* Done in an episode of ''Series/OnlyFoolsAndHorses'' in a similar way to the Zen master below. In order to get a cheaper round Del bets Mike the barman he can make him turn his hands over without touching them;
---> Mike puts his hand out
--->'''Del:''' No the other way
---> Mike turns them over
---> Del puts a note in this hand and walks away with the drinks.

[[folder:Film]]

** ... with one exception: If you are an on a main road in heavy traffic, it's important to let in people from the side roads once you slow to a stop. If the give-way rules were strictly followed, in many places people would have to wait close to an hour before being let onto the main road.

* This is the Polite Spy's power in the ''VideoGame/TeamFortress2'' Machinima ''[[http://tf2freakshow.wikia.com/wiki/Polite_Spy_Saga The Polite Spy Saga]]''. He's so polite that most other freaks don't harm him, and even the AxCrazy [[ImAHumanitarian cannaballistic]] Machinima/PainisCupcake finds him too nice to eat.
* In one of the first episodes of Machinima/RedVsBlue, Donut being sent on a wild goose chase ends with him [[CaptureTheFlag sucessfully taking the Blue Team's flag]] from [[TheDitz Caboose.]]

* ''WesternAnimation/ThePowerPuffGirls''

* On a less funny note, this tends to be how most creepy guys get away with harassing women. They'll approach a woman somewhere where there is no immediate exit (often on public transit, or waiting at a stop), and talk to her. Most women will respond with giving off as many "I don't care, leave me alone" social cues as possible, which the guy will ignore. Social nicety means there's no polite exit, as he isn't technically doing any harm (apart from seriously annoying her and feeling entitled to her time and attention), so openly telling him to fuck off seems unreasonably hostile, and there's no way to give an excuse and leave the area. When told to go away, the creepy guys will get defensive, repeatedly bringing up how they were just talking and he wasn't doing any harm (ignoring the fact that she has no obligation to talk with a complete stranger), giving him the social high ground.
** Ironically, the best defense against this is to turn it around on him, and instead get as loudly and obviously upset as possible, usually by bursting into tears and loudly begging him to leave her alone. This puts the girl in the social right, as he is obviously causing her a great deal of distress, and she is being loud enough that everyone in the vicinity is now very much aware. This leaves the creepy guy with the option to either retreat immediately, or continue to attempt to interact with someone who is loudly sobbing and begging him to leave her alone. The second option will last for maybe thirty seconds before somebody intervenes and forces him to back off. Either way, problem solved.

See also: DuckSeasonRabbitSeason; PassiveAggressiveKombat, MinnesotaNice, JapanesePoliteness, and ComplimentFishing. Not to be confused with VerbalJudo. Also not to be confused with [[SugaryMalice Politeness Jiu-Jitsu]].