Politeness. Good or evil?

[YevBor]

Hello everyone. I am relatively new in Western society, and one thing makes me confused almost every time: politeness. For example, when an employer says "you make a big mistake" and at the same time says "you a good worker". Or when random people's constantly smiling to you, without any reason. In my opinion, based on the culture in which I was born and raised, it makes social communication more unclear and provides some misunderstanding. In my opinion, brutal honesty is better than politeness because it gives a clear message without double meanings. Did you agree with that?

[Ez-Bri-Z_v2]

I think politeness is a good thing. You can still be direct in what you are trying to say without being a jerk about it. Sometimes politeness can go a long way to making new friends instead of enemies as well.

[YevBor]

And if someone be jerk to you, did you say that person "you are a jerk", or will try to find some more polite word?

[Ez-Bri-Z_v2]

I probably would just avoid them in the future. It's the politest thing I could do in that situation.

[DryGermanGuy]

What you describe, the silly sugarcoating and double-speak is an American thing, not a Western thing. In most European country people will speak bluntly, while still staying polite.

[YevBor]

Probably. Before I move to North America country, I live almost 3 months in the Czech Republic, but it's a very short period of time to understand society.