In pragmatics, there has been a great a great deal of interest on politeness phenomenon. The extent of interest is so vast that it has been considered a sub-discipline of pragmatics. Moreover, they are divergences in approaching politeness. The diversity is conclusively evident, when the conceptualistion and operational definition of the concept is concerned. This paper altempts to demonstrate that the current confusion is inherent in the very concept of politeness. Furthermore, the complexity and diversity regarding this multifaceted concept necessarily give rise to dubious and unreliable research conclusions.