In the chaotic, action-packed world of Borderlands 3, a game known for its irreverent humor, high-energy combat, and eccentric characters, players are introduced to an array of personalities that defy conventional behavior. From the rogue-like vault hunters to the unpredictable villains, every interaction in this game feels like an over-the-top adventure. But amidst the madness, players may come across a rather curious concept: “polite” behavior. So, what does “polite” really mean in Borderlands 3?
In the context of this game, where brutality and sarcasm often take center stage, the term “polite” might initially seem out of place. However, the way it is used offers insight into the nature of Borderlands 3‘s humor, character development, and even the deeper themes of civility and chaos. To understand “polite” within the world of Borderlands 3, we need to dive deeper into the game’s tone, characters, and the roles that politeness—or the lack of it—plays in shaping the player’s experience.
1. The Nature of Politeness in the World of Borderlands
Before exploring the nuances of politeness in Borderlands 3, it’s important to establish the broader setting. The game takes place in a wild and untamed universe, full of diverse planets and alien cultures. Whether it’s the desert-like world of Pandora, or the lush jungles of Eden-6, chaos reigns supreme. In a place where life is often short and violent, where mercenaries roam freely and lawlessness dominates, politeness seems almost like a distant concept.
However, Borderlands 3 plays with this idea and subverts it in true Borderlands fashion. When players encounter characters that demonstrate polite behavior, it often comes across as absurd, sarcastic, or out of place, contributing to the darkly comedic tone that fans of the franchise have come to love.
The term “polite” in Borderlands 3 is less about traditional manners and more about social norms, highlighting the contrast between expected behavior and the reality of living in a world dominated by bounty hunters, mercenaries, and corrupt corporations. It’s a fascinating lens through which we can analyze the characters’ actions and attitudes, as well as the overarching message of the game itself.
2. Politeness as a Tool of Humor
One of the most striking aspects of Borderlands 3 is its humor. The game often employs sarcasm, slapstick comedy, and absurdity to disarm players and make light of otherwise serious situations. When characters in the game use terms like “polite,” it is often in a context that turns conventional politeness on its head.
Take, for example, the character of CL4P-TP, the ever-enthusiastic robotic companion who is often far more interested in jokes and explosions than in formal behavior. His version of politeness is far from conventional—it’s brash, unfiltered, and, at times, wildly inappropriate. He’s “polite” in the sense that he follows the surface-level societal expectation of being considerate, but he does so in such an exaggerated, robotic way that it ends up being more off-putting than endearing.
Similarly, when dealing with characters like Lilith or Moxxi, who are quick to cut through the absurdity of the situations around them, politeness is often used sarcastically to make a point. Lilith, for example, is a no-nonsense character who has little patience for bureaucracy or formalities. When faced with the need to be polite, she may do so in a way that amplifies the dissonance between the rough, unpolished reality of Pandora and the more civil world some of her allies may long for.
The constant use of “polite” behavior, often delivered with a twist, keeps the tone lighthearted and ensures that players never take the world of Borderlands 3 too seriously. It’s as if the game itself is winking at the player, acknowledging that in a universe where people regularly get blown up, “polite” is really just another tool for comedic relief.
3. Politeness and Character Development
Politeness in Borderlands 3 also plays an important role in character development, revealing the contradictions within characters’ personalities and how they interact with the world around them. The franchise has always been known for its larger-than-life characters, each with their own quirks and eccentricities. These personalities are often exaggerated versions of real-world stereotypes, but at their core, they reflect a certain humanity—flawed, complex, and vulnerable.
Take Tannis, for instance. The scientist who is often portrayed as socially awkward and emotionally distant has moments where her politeness contrasts sharply with her usual awkwardness. For instance, she might speak in a calm, formal tone, but her words often come out in the context of extreme violence or frantic research. In such instances, politeness seems out of place, highlighting the dissonance between her intellectual nature and the chaos of the world she inhabits. These moments of “polite” behavior help humanize Tannis, making her more relatable despite her eccentricities.
Similarly, Amara, the Siren, exemplifies how politeness is often used to mask her more aggressive, violent tendencies. While she may appear polite in certain social interactions, there’s an underlying sense of power and unpredictability that always lingers just beneath the surface. Her form of politeness is more about diplomacy, as she carefully navigates conversations in a way that keeps her cool while maintaining control of the situation.
In Borderlands 3, politeness is not just about etiquette; it’s a window into the inner lives of characters. It shows their willingness (or unwillingness) to conform to social norms and how they adapt to the ever-changing landscape around them. This character depth creates a sense of realism, even in a game where over-the-top explosions and gunfights are the norm.
4. The Villains and the Subversion of Politeness
In Borderlands 3, one of the central antagonistic forces is the Calypso Twins—Tyreen and Troy. Their version of politeness is particularly interesting because it directly subverts the usual expectations of civility. The twins, charismatic yet manipulative, use politeness as a tool of control, masking their evil intentions under a veneer of charm and politeness. This makes their dialogue and actions all the more sinister, as they blend flattery and pleasantries with their dark desires to dominate and manipulate.
Tyreen, in particular, exemplifies this. Her polite demeanor often serves as a thin disguise for her ruthless nature. In moments where she interacts with the player or her followers, she might say things that sound courteous or gracious but are actually designed to belittle or deceive. In this way, politeness becomes a weapon in her arsenal, a tool she uses to gain power over others without seeming overtly threatening.
This manipulation of politeness is one of the game’s more subtle critiques of societal norms—how people can use social niceties to mask darker motives. By taking politeness and twisting it into a form of control, the game highlights the difference between outward behavior and true intentions. It’s a brilliant narrative device that plays into the broader themes of power and corruption.
5. Politeness and the Player’s Interaction
The player’s interactions with politeness in Borderlands 3 are shaped by choice. Players are often presented with dialogue options that allow them to respond in various ways, from casual indifference to full-on sarcasm. These options create a fluid, interactive experience where politeness is just one of many choices players can make.
How a player chooses to engage with the concept of politeness can reveal much about their own playstyle. Some players might opt for a more formal, diplomatic approach when interacting with NPCs, while others may lean into the sarcastic or aggressive side of the dialogue tree. This flexibility adds layers to the game, as players can craft their own identity within the world of Borderlands 3 by choosing to engage with politeness in their own way.
However, there’s also an element of subversion in this interaction. No matter how polite the player may choose to be, the world of Borderlands 3 is inherently chaotic. In this sense, politeness can often feel futile or out of place. Characters like Moze, Zane, and FL4K may respond with snark or indifference even in the most polite of exchanges, underscoring the disconnect between the game’s violent setting and traditional notions of civility.
6. Conclusion: The Role of Politeness in Borderlands 3
In the grand scheme of Borderlands 3, politeness plays a multifaceted role. It serves as a comedic device, a tool for character development, a subversion of norms, and an exploration of the broader themes of civility versus chaos. The game’s portrayal of politeness is far from traditional—it is exaggerated, twisted, and used to highlight the contrasts between the characters’ personalities and the world they inhabit.
Ultimately, politeness in Borderlands 3 is not just about manners or etiquette; it’s about the contrast between the surface-level expectations of civility and the raw, unfiltered chaos that defines the universe of Pandora and beyond. Whether it’s used to elicit humor, reveal a character’s hidden depths, or criticize the way people hide their true intentions behind social niceties, politeness in Borderlands 3 adds a layer of complexity that invites players to think more critically about the world around them.
In a game where everything from the characters to the landscapes is exaggerated and unpredictable, politeness is just another tool that adds to the richness of the experience. It may not always make sense, but it serves its purpose in a world where anything can happen—and often does.
