Yeah. Basically you can divide people into two groups:
1) Those who know what's going on and treat it as a sign of respect.
2) Those who don't and where you have to show externally that there is respect involved.
For the first group, getting into an argument on technical merits doesn't have to involve a whole lot of pleasantries. It's largely informal. I try to save this for groups I am a long-standing member of.
For the second group, you are right, a softer approach is necessary.
1) Those who know what's going on and treat it as a sign of respect.
2) Those who don't and where you have to show externally that there is respect involved.
For the first group, getting into an argument on technical merits doesn't have to involve a whole lot of pleasantries. It's largely informal. I try to save this for groups I am a long-standing member of.
For the second group, you are right, a softer approach is necessary.