The Polite People of Pudibundia

"The Polite People of Pudibundia" by R. A. Lafferty is a science fiction story set on a strange planet where being excessively polite is the key to survival. The story tells of Marlow, a captain in the Solar Police, who journeys to Pudibundia to find missing pilots. There, he finds a society centered around complex rules of etiquette, like wearing colored glasses to show respect. As Marlow spends a week among the ever-polite Puds, he finds out a shocking secret: looking someone directly in the eye will kill them. The Puds' strict manners hide deadly truths, and Marlow's curiosity leads to a tragic end, showing how important it is to balance being polite with ensuring your own survival.