I love politeness but not everyone deserves to receive it. And when did we decide that being polite to strangers was more important than trusting our own gut feelings? I think we have to teach our daughters that, just like you’re saying, it’s okay to be rude and that remaining neutral (not polite and not rude) is totally acceptable and even necessary. I very much appreciate your piece. As women, we have to teach ourselves and others what our grandmothers never taught us.