But it was not like they had to follow diplomatic niceties here.

"This isn't just a trip to spread diplomatic niceties around to our allies," said one of his advisers.

It's not just a question of not following the diplomatic niceties.

Isolation, of course, is a relative term, restricted to diplomatic niceties.

"He conducts real business between the two countries rather than just engaging in diplomatic niceties."

"We should go beyond these diplomatic niceties to some real work."

By the time spring came, Adams had decided what he must do, no matter the diplomatic niceties.

You could ask the loaded question without any resort to diplomatic niceties.

But why pay attention to such detail as basic diplomatic niceties in the face of a tough negotiation process over territory?

He doesn't bother to cloak his attacks in diplomatic niceties.