Date:  Sun, 26 Oct 1997 16:27:53 -0500
From:  Ron Butters <RonButters[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]AOL.COM>
Subject: unctuous speech

I agree with you about the uses of politeness--who wouldn't? But the oil
analogy is misleading: clocks need oil, but not on the tips of the hands.
Clocks need oil, but salad oil will not do. "Bless you" is just salad oil on
the hands.