He was in a hurry, apparently - no time for polite formalities.

Some time was consumed in polite formalities, before Monroe-Alpha got around to his enthusiasm.

They went through the polite formalities, both men ensconced in their own private offices, separated by much more than time and space.

It warmed her to see it even though she knew the smile was little more than a polite formality.

But as I learned in my first weeks of teaching, the main difference between these students and those on the Bard campus was their polite formality.

Those who chose to apply were often greeted with polite formality but limited serious consideration.

Perhaps the assurance was more than polite formality after all.

Some of Raskin's polite formality had dropped away.

But all this will be no more than a polite formality unless politicians at all levels, both European and national, make up their minds to act.

With polite formality, he told us how pleased he was to have been of service.