[KyleGoetz]

Hah. This formal/polite thing really screws with English speakers, because formal and polite seem so close in meaning. What people need to realize is that they are only slightly related.

FORMAL: Giving a presentation at work, writing an application essay for scholarship or university admissions.

POLITE: Speaking with your grandparents. Note that you're polite but not formal.

What I've just said is the difference in English.

Maybe with this example, people will stop screwing up formal/polite.