common courtesy

plural common courtesies

1. countableuncountableSynonym of common decency.

   The most beguiling detail in this modest work is the idea that responding to U.F.O.s, and to the aliens who pilot them, is a matter of common courtesy. As Loyd says to Maggie, "It would be rude not to acknowledge their presence."

   2023 March 31, Anthony Lane, “The Funny, Forward, and Bracingly Political "Joyland"”, in The New Yorker, New York, N.Y.: Condé Nast Publications, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 29 Jul 2023

   1 more example

   There have been many worthy suggestions on how to fix our supposedly broken society. May I offer another that is cheap, available to all and unlikely to do harm? A campaign to promote and reinforce the levels of common courtesy and kindness with which we treat others.

   2011 August 16, “Let's try five acts of courtesy a day”, in Alan Rusbridger, editor, The Guardian (letter), London: Guardian News & Media, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 02 Oct 2023

   Synonyms: common decency