How do you talk to people in every day life? I read a study recently that states that the word "please" does something wonderful that other words cannot. It is more likely to get you the end result you want. I started slacking on proper manners for a time. Rebelling against a construct that to me, was designed by oppressive elitists whose egos were easily bruised. lol Nah... the truth is, I rebelled against my father's training. Like always saying "Yes Sir," and "No Sir". Which I think is too militant for children.
Anyway, I've been trying to be more mindful of how I speak to people of late, and "Please" before any request (order) goes a long, long way. What about people who seem almost robotic in their politeness though? Overdone politeness- like those teenage Mormon boys who hand out pamphlets door to door. It's kind of creepy, I think. I should try it and see what kind of reactions I get.
It depends on what kind of thing you are trying to achieve. For example, remaining polite in a situation where you need someone to hurry up at a work-place usually yields better results than shouting. The most important thing, imo, is being logical, suggesting things and explaining why it is important you want things done. People who are rude and angry are often not perceived as logical. Actually the opposite may yield better results. I imagine people would help a crying girl.
I don't think this applies to relationships, though. You need to show emotions in a relationship.
Flattery and politeness to me is extremely fake, generally with an agenda attached, while light yet sarcastic jabs tend to be more "honest" in an organic conversational sense. Politeness is like a barrier while well mannered humor can open just as many if not more doors. Some people even get excessively polite as an expression of nervousness, so getting those types to stop doing that is usually a sign of them warming up to me. Being polite also wastes time and is boring and repetitive, while a lack of it in a level headed way comforts people.
Politeness is useful for business transactions however, since it's not really interaction so much as two rehearsed monologues.
I usually use good manners IRL. They do set up social barriers, as tc says. That's exactly the point.
I'm quick enough for rapid code switching, tho. If good manners are horridly inappropriate in a given social setting, I can adapt to whatever the situation requires. All those years of watching Star Trek weren't a total waste of time. xD