polite Dumbledore?

[a_svirn]

No: HPFGUIDX 142605


> SSSusan:
> Heh heh.  I know some posters believe DD was out of line, but not 
> me.  I squealed with delight as this scene progressed.  And one 
> reason I did so is that DD *was* polite.  Yes, he made the 
> couch "seat" the Dursleys against their will; yes, he made the 
> glasses smack 'em in the head; but by and large he was calm and 
> courteous, he used proper manners, he did not scream and shout 
when 
> many people would have (as, for instance, Vernon started to do & 
> typically does).  I thought he treated the Dursleys *exactly* as 
they 
> deserved to be treated... not to mention treating Harry to the 
> attention he needed and deserved in that moment as well.
> 


I can see why you could squeal with delight, but as for calling his 
behaviour "polite"
 Surely you must be mistaken. To come uninvited, 
without according your hosts a courtesy to deny you an entry is not 
polite in the least. To usurp their position in their own house is 
still less polite. In fact it's downright rude, just check any 
etiquette guide. Dumbledore was being about as polite as Scrimgeour 
in the Prime Minister office, and about as courteous as Voldemort 
when he insisted on observing the "niceties" of the dueling code. 
Granted, Dumbledore did the thing with his usual style yet it wasn't 
his superior manners he was demonstrating but the upper hand. 

And did you notice: Harry was not even remotely delighted with this 
little demonstration. He was anxious to leave. Wonder what he was 
reminded of. 

a_svirn