Conversation:

I found this to be an interesting article. I myself dislike the dishonesty often inherent in politeness. I´m from a country where I can be on a first name basis with strangers, and everything is fairly relaxed. I wouldn´t like being in such a formal place as Japan for a longer time.
I found it funny when I was working with some polish people, and when asked "How are you?" they would assume it was meant and proceed to tell people. They just didn´t have that tradition.