Why do we have to be nice/polite to people if nobody cares about you??

Would you rather just be rude to YOU? I mind my own business but I won't stop holding a door, saying hello and thank you in public because I grew up with good morals. I treat people how I want to be treated

You don't have to, of course. Only then NOBODY will EVER 'care about' you.

Normal civility is all that's required. Nobody's asking you to lick their boots or pretend you're the best of friends. Just be pleasant and neutral: nobody can ask for more.

When you go out in public, do you prefer to be treated nicely or rudely? I'm guessing nicely. People appreciate it and it makes it easier for everyone to get along.

GOOD question. Why do we have to be polite to strangers? Well do you like someone to be rude talking to you? Like somebody you never met suddenly ask you "how old are you.... man?"..... you must feel annoyed and offended.

If you dont like it, why other people must like you if you are not polite. they feel the same thing as you. dont be a self centered SOB who thinks they can do or say whatever they want.

We treat other people politely and with manners so other people treat us the same.

PS: recently I met a young guy (probably 18 years old judging from his head to toe). He came to our office without an appointment or a clear intention. So I asked him "what is the purpose of your visit?"... instead of replying, he said something about a proposal (which I did not understand what for?)... I kept asking his intention and he eventually he became rude and said something rude to me. I yelled back to him and told him to leave our office. Later I found out after he left, that there was a group of young people who are walking around in our office area asking for donations. So my message, when you are not polite to people, people wont help you or even rude back to you. So be nice to people if you want people to treat you good....

It must be a Canadian thing that we’re basic human beings and polite to everyone

Don't criminals and thieves treat their own family well? And aren't they nice to people that are nice to them?

Well what does that say about you? That you're no better than a criminal? You won't even go the extra step beyond what a thief would do. Isn't that a poor reflection on you?

Go! And do more! Treat your enemies with love and respect. If they don't return the love that reflects on tehm not you. And if a thief tries to steal your sneakers, give him your phone too. If a criminal steals your money, buy him a meal.

When you go beyond, people will see and respect you for your generosity anbd wisdom. They will care for you.

EDIT TO COMMENT: But those are only things. They're not important, even though we selfishly think so. They are all gifts that you've been fortunate enough to receive. You may have earned wioth talent you were given at birth, but you could have just as easily been born ion the shoes of that begger. The important thing is not how many things we have, a phone or a scrap of food, but that we love and respect each other.

When you get your priorities right, then its easy. When you focus only on yourself, its not.

In one sense you are correct. People, as a general rule, are far more concerned about themselves, and should be to survive in this world. When even a friend asks "How are you?" it is rare that they really want to know and instead it is a courteous conversation starter. I did find it is not true everywhere. I was surprised that in visiting China and Japan, people were actually interested in my well-being and listened to my reply. When in the USA and many western countries your friends are only being courteous complete strangers don't really care at all.

However, and this is a big however, whether taken from religion or societal rules, the "Do unto others..." applies.

Most people want to be treated with at least a little respect. Do you want everyone you interact with to be nasty to you? Most people prefer to live in civil peace at least. The act of being nice and polite to people is to try to have them following the same principle. We do best when we are courteous with each other, even if not giving a darn really. We're polite because we are in a society and interact and live close to each other. Although some people live mad at the world, most try to make the best of it.

I will add an interesting result of a study of the people of New York City. They act and communicate in public much closer to the way they act and communicate at home. The people of the southern USA are the opposite. They are extremely friendly in public in general and talk behind your back at home. People of New York City are considered rude. They are actually more "real". It is a direct example of what you refer to. It's not a good idea to make eye contact with strangers in NYC. In many shops, you could hear "What do you want?" as opposed to "Can I help you?". You hear "Next!" for the owner or counter server to serve the next customer as opposed to some type of greeting.

But, the answer to your question is because that is the way most people want to be treated so you have to do it yourself.

So that they'll be polite to you in return. Societies just function better when people have some common sense of decency.

They might care about you if you would show respect and politeness and a little interest in them first. Others don't need to care about you any more than you need to care about them. But at some point you are going to want something from them, like food, shelter, clothing, a kind and encouraging word, someone with money to help you to pick yourself up out of the emotional gutter you are in, and help you get a job where people respect you and find you interesting to talk to. But if you verbally (or physically) spit in their faces and show contempt, they are going to respond in kind. You will be told you aren't welcome in their community service center, their food bank, or their day center for the homeless. To have friends, you must show yourself to be friendly. What you want others to do to you, that you do to them (first). It's amazing how people will smile and help you out if you just smile at them and greet them first, ask them how they are doing (even if you don't care), and go through the typical polite social behaviors that make interaction with others something pleasant, rather than hostile. So how do you want to be treated? People will care about you when they get to know you and find out you are a pleasant guy to be around. If you act contemptuous, they will leave you to rot in your own mental filth.

cause its not nice to be rude