Politeness (33-36)

33. In the beginning of the episode, Basil is extremely condescending to Mr. Johnson. He speaks rather directly and indirectly at him because he brings up points that only Sybil would understand. In directly verbalizing his thoughts of Mr. Johnson, Basil does not mitigate any of his face threatening acts. For example, he makes a remark about eating fruit because he thinks that Mr. Johnson is exhibiting monkey-like behaviour. An image of Mr. Johnson as a snob who believes the hotel to be a dump is also painted.
34. Basil’s extreme deference to the Abbotts is equally rude because he is treating them differently from the other guests simply because they are doctors. In the scene where all three of them first meet each other, Basil gives extra effort in making them feel welcomed. However, his eagerness to please the Abbotts ends up annoying them all the more. In addition, Basil employs politeness by using the vocative “doctor.” This too may be considered rude because it took him quite a while to realize that Mrs. Abbott is also a doctor. He was unable to contemplate the fact that women could also be doctors.
35. His politeness is seen to save face because he will address each guest with a title such as “Dr. Abbott” and “Mr. Johnson.” However, in conversation with someone closer such as Sybil, he addresses the guests only as “Johnson”, and Dr. Abbot as “the psychiatrist.”
36. The term “charms” is used ambiguously in the following exchange:
    

    Raylene: My name is Raylene Miles. I have a reservation.
    Basil: Ah yes, that's right. Would you be so good as to fill this in ... (she takes the card and bends over the desk to write on it; she is wearing a rather low-cut dress and Basil's eyes stray downwards; she glances up at this very moment; he turns away embarrassed and then looks back) Very nice.
    Raylene: ... Oh. Thank you.
    Basil: Your thing. I mean, your charms! Charm! (indicating her pendant) in the middle ...
    Raylene: Yes, I know.
    Basil: May I ask what it is?
    Raylene: (writing) It's a Saint Christopher's medal.
    Basil: Saint ...?
    Raylene: Saint Christopher. (she holds it up so that Basil can look at it; he affects great interest, and at this moment Sybil approaches) Patron saint of travellers.
    Basil: Oh, hallo dear. St Christopher's medal. (Sybil gives him a look and moves behind him at the desk) Protects travellers. (to Raylene) Very pretty.
    Sybil: Yes, isn't she ... where did you put the order forms, Basil?
    

    When Basil is caught staring down at Raylene’s cleavage, he had to pretend that he was not staring at it. He quickly explains himself by saying that he is simply staring at her Saint Christopher’s medal. By a slip of the tongue, he calls it “charms” only to realize that the use of the plural could be a euphemism for her breasts. As a result, he reemphasizes the term “Saint Christopher’s medal” to draw attention away from his mistake.