Moving parts in rubbing contact require lubrication to avoid excessive wear. Honorifics and formal politeness provide lubrication where people rub together. Often the very young, the untraveled, the naive, the unsophisticated deplore these formalities as 'empty,' 'meaningless,' or 'dishonest,' and scorn to use them. No matter how 'pure' their motives, they thereby throw sand into machinery that does not work too well at best.

Most 'scientists' are bottle washers and button sorters.

Never appeal to a man's 'better nature.' He may not have one. Invoking his self-interest gives you more leverage.

Money is the sincerest of all flattery. Women love to be flattered. So do men.

People who ask 'Can I ask you a question?' Didn't really give me a choice, did you there, buddy?

'Pray, my dear,' quoth my mother, 'have you not forgot to wind up the clock?' - 'Good G-!' cried my father, making an exclamation, but taking care to moderate …

...That's just how I see male relationships. Just one pleasantry shy of a cock in the mouth.