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These Are the Most—and the Least—Polite Zodiac Signs

If politeness is the GPS you use to navigate life, you'll appreciate this guide that will help you understand what to expect from others—and even from yourself.

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Where is your sign on the genteel wheel?

Ever wonder why someone is super polite and their sibling, well, isn’t? It isn’t just about how they were raised—it’s also about when they were born. While “every soul is different,” according to astrologer Rebecca Farrar, and you also need to look at the day, time, and other astrological events at the time of a person’s birth, each sign has some general personality traits that factor into this equation.

Of course, how you define politeness is also complicated. While some define it as showing good manners and being considerate of people’s feelings, others think of politeness as a more formal form of respect. See how you measure on the politeness spectrum by scrolling through the 12 zodiac signs below, which we’ve listed in descending order from most to least polite. For those of you toward the end of this list, it may be worth noting that it’s generally a good idea to skip these questions that polite people never ask.

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Libra (September 23–October 22)

“Libra is the nice sign,” says Farrar, noting that folks born under the seventh sign of the zodiac are typically friendly souls who want other people to like them. “I’ve never met a Libra who would ever engage in a conversation with others that would make them feel uncomfortable.” Libras embody justice, goodness, and diplomacy, and they tend to like one-on-one conversations. Their selfless nature helps them keep the scales in balance. Perhaps good karma is the reason Libra is the sign that produces the most billionaires.

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Taurus (April 20–May 20)
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Taurus (April 20–May 20)

You might not expect to find the second sign of the zodiac at the top of the polite list, since Tauruses are known for their stubbornness. But the bull has a softer side. “Taurus energy is people-pleasing energy,” says Farrar, who notes that those born under this sign are ruled by the planet Venus and seek love and connection. “Their identity is shaped by being liked. When people feel good, they feel connected.” Virgo and Taurus make great BFFs. Find out the ideal best friend for every zodiac sign.

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Cancer (June 21–July 22)

Who would imagine that a crab could be such a polite delight? Farrar says that Cancers are both intuitive and sensitive to the needs of others. “They really want to take care of other people and have them feel good. Their essence is a true nurturer,” explains Farrar, adding that Cancers make amazing hosts and hostesses. “They are the first to ask you if you want a drink.” In general, they tend to seek deep emotional connections and are family-centered, and being polite keeps things running smoothly in their world. “I’m at my most comfortable around you” is the best compliment you can give a Cancer.

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Leo (July 23–August 23)
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Leo (July 23–August 23)

“A lot of Leos tend to be polite,” says Farrar. In fact, she adds, former president Barack Obama is a Leo, and he embodies the spirit of the lion: well-mannered and warm. “They are often the center of attention and work hard to be liked,” she adds, noting that the fifth sign of the zodiac is often fiery and vivacious. Since they need to be in the spotlight, though, they can be a tad dramatic, which may make them a bit brusque upon occasion. Looking for the perfect presents for everyone in your life? You won’t want to miss our ultimate gift guide for every zodiac sign.

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Pisces (February 19–March 20)
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Pisces (February 19–March 20)

Pisces tends to be a bit of a shape-shifter, according to Farrar. Translation: The sensitive fishes are so attuned to other people’s feelings, they are chameleon-like. People born under this water sign will be the first to ask how you are feeling—and genuinely want to know the answer. Dreamers who are sensitive and empathetic, Pisces are hard-wired to be polite. Wonder what hobby someone born under this zodiac sign should try? We found out!

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Virgo (August 23–September 22)

“Virgos tend to be more formal,” says Farrar, conjuring up images of the maiden writing thank you notes on monogrammed stationery in perfect penmanship. Curious and intellectually driven, they are problem-solvers who are keen to do the right thing in the proper way. “Virgos are always in problem-solving mode,” notes Farrar. That means these worrywarts are highly efficient and organized—and sometimes overthink their actions. This anxiety may be misconstrued as not being very patient or polite, but that’s not necessarily the case. It makes sense that organizing is the favorite household chore of those born under the sign of Virgo.

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Sagittarius (November 22–December 21)
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Sagittarius (November 22–December 21)

“Do unto others as you would have them do to you.” That’s one of the archer’s golden rules, according to Farrar, who says that those born under this fire sign are ruled by morality. These joyful souls are not really oriented toward others, but they will do the right thing because they have a clear sense of right and wrong. The bottom line: Sagittarius will turn down their music because it’s the right thing to do—not to make you happy. Whether or not they’ll acquiesce to a certain request depends on their assessment of the situation, but they’ll likely be polite about it, regardless. Find out your biggest fears, according to your zodiac sign.

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Capricorn (December 22–January 19)

Kate Middleton is a Capricorn. The Duchess of Cambridge, or “Catherine,” as she prefers to be called, embodies the spirit of her zodiac sign. Capricorns are very serious people who see life in black and white; they don’t typically color outside the lines of convention. “They are very formal and want to do what is proper and looks good,” says Farrar. The problem? You may never know whether or not their actions are authentic. Still, these hardworking sea goats will always do the right thing in public. Check out the zodiac signs of other royals.

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Gemini (May 21–June 20)

What do you call someone who is friendly but could be gossiping behind your back? A Gemini! According to Farrar, Geminis can be super polite one day and rude the next. While they can be quite wise and adept at communicating their emotions, these distracted darlings can also be two-faced and too scattered to pay attention to the fact that you need some TLC or a napkin. It’s a coin toss whether they will be polite or rude, but these social butterflies are sure fun to flutter around with.

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Aquarius (January 20–February 18)
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Aquarius (January 20–February 18)

People born under the sign of Aquarius are known for being aloof and nontraditional, according to Farrar, who calls them a “quirky archetype.” Original, impulsive, rebellious, and free-thinking, they are not as connected to their fellow earthlings as they should be because they are often caught up in their own worlds. (Farrar notes that these people are often inventors and artists.) One would not expect someone born under this sign to have much interest in a copy of Emily Post’s Etiquette. Find out just how intelligent Aquarius is.

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Aries (March 21–April 19)
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Aries (March 21–April 19)

Those born under the first sign of the zodiac are all about self-expression, says Farrar. Rams are brimming with energy and enthusiasm, especially if you align with their needs, but if you don’t, watch out—they’ll make a mad dash out of there. “They will most likely piggyback on your politeness or not-so-politeness,” says Farrar, adding that Aries get bored easily and may be impolite if they lose interest in what you are saying or doing. Enthusiasm, ambition, and passion can run in the ram’s blood, as can compulsion, dominance, and impatience. It really depends on the day you bump into this fireball if you will be met with a curtsy or a curse.

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Scorpio (October 23–November 21)
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Scorpio (October 23–November 21)

“I really like most Scorpios,” swears Farrar as she simultaneously declares them the least polite sign of the zodiac. Note: She did not say rude. There is something else going on with Scorpios. “They have a low threshold for superficiality,” she explains, adding that they can also be really intense. Unlike those super congenial Libras, Scorpios don’t really like to talk about the weather. Focused and loyal, Scorpios are powerful and complex. Their intensity feels less like kindness and more like the opposite of politeness. A surprising person born under this sign is etiquette expert Emily Post herself—perhaps she was just very intense about politeness. Next, find out what 2021 has in store for you, based on your zodiac sign.

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Stacey Marcus
Stacey is a writer for top regional and national outlets covering trivia, quotes and Jeopardy. She's been published in Boston Magazine, Boston Common Magazine, Mental Floss, New England Living and Playboy.com. A New England native, she's an expert in all things East Coast and has traveled extensively to cover destinations for travel outlets.