kind / polite person

[dervast]

Good evening from Germany
This is one more question I have.
How could I say "you are a well-behaving person"
is this kind or polite and what is the difference between these two?

I would like to thank you in advance
Best Regards
Alex.

 

[TheParser]

Good evening from Germany
This is one more question I have.
How could I say "you are a well-behaving person"
is this kind or polite and what is the difference between these two?

I would like to thank you in advance
Best Regards
Alex.

***** NOT A TEACHER *****

Good morning, dervast.

(1) You are a well-behaved person.

(2) Kind = You see a homeless person. You buy some food and give it to him/her.

(3) Polite = You see a homeless person. You say, "Good morning. I hope you have a nice day," and you continue on your way.

Thank you.

 

[emsr2d2]

Good evening from Germany
This is one more question I have.
How could I say "you are a well-behaving person"
is this kind or polite and what is the difference between these two?

I would like to thank you in advance
Best Regards
Alex.

The previous poster gave good examples for both kind and polite.

Well-behaved doesn't really mean either of these, and it is not really a term that I would apply to an adult. It's usually used to describe children. At school or at home, they would be "well behaved" or "badly behaved". It refers to their way of acting most of the time. Well behaved children are quiet and studious at school, they sit still, they do not cause problems. Badly behaved children are disruptive, they might fight or be rude to other children/teachers and are regularly disciplined for their actions.

If someone described me as well behaved, after I was about 16 years old, I would find it rather inappropriate.

 

[dervast]

***** NOT A TEACHER *****

Good morning, dervast.

(1) You are a well-behaved person.

(2) Kind = You see a homeless person. You buy some food and give it to him/her.

(3) Polite = You see a homeless person. You say, "Good morning. I hope you have a nice day," and you continue on your way.

Thank you.

Thanks for your feeback. Unfortunately I am not sure that I understand the difference between kind and polite. Kind is more used for actions done and polite for things said?

Best Regards
Alex

 

[TheParser]

Thanks for your feeback. Unfortunately I am not sure that I understand the difference between kind and polite. Kind is more used for actions done and polite for things said?

Best Regards
Alex

***** NOT A TEACHER *****

Good afternoon, Alex.

(1) You have made an excellent point.

(2) I have never really thought much about that.

(3) I think that you are correct:

(a) "kind" basically refers to behavior.

(b) "polite" or "courteous" basically refers to atttitude (including speech).

(c) I think a person can be kind but not polite.

(a) For example, a person who gives lots of money to help people, but he is very rude when he speaks with them.

(d) I think a person can be UNkind but very polite or courteous.

(a) A judge who sends someone to death, but he speaks to the person in a very respectful and even humble manner.

(4) Thanks for your great question. It really made me think.

Have a nice day!

 

[TheParser]

Thanks for your feeback. Unfortunately I am not sure that I understand the difference between kind and polite. Kind is more used for actions done and polite for things said?

Best Regards
Alex

***** NOT A TEACHER *****

Good morning, Alex.

(1) I have been thinking more about your excellent question.

(2) I want to emphasize that BOTH words CAN apply to WORDS and ACTIONS.

*****

Polite/courteous words: Please/ Thank you/ Excuse me/ Have a nice day, etc.

Words we use to have smoother relations with other people every day.

Polite/courteous actions: Open the door for ladies/ Give your bus seat to an older person/ Eat a smaller amount of food at dinner so that other family members can have enough food, etc.

Again, an action that helps make life "smoother."

*****

Kind words = something you say to make another person feel better in a particular situation:

TOM: I did something bad to you. I am a bad person. I hate myself.

ALEX: No, you are not a bad person. You made a mistake. We all make mistakes. I forgive you.

You have spoken kind (and generous) words.

Kind actions: something you do to help someone in a particular situation:

You are walking down the street in your city. Two tourists from another country say, "Excuse me. How do we get to the museum by bus? We are so confused."

You do NOT say: Take bus #2. Then transfer to bus #4. You get to the museum in one hour. Goodbye.

INSTEAD, you say: I will escort you there. I know how confusing it must be for a tourist in a strange city.

You then accompany the two tourists on buses #2 and #4 and take them to the door of the museum and say: Here you are. I hope you enjoy your stay in my city. It was nice meeting you.

You have done a kind deed (action).