Give them the benefit

A friend in the business of interpersonal connections has a complete lack of care and/or ability to be polite. He does not soften the edges in conversation.

Phones calls are answered brusquely. A "yes" sometimes, mostly just "what". Conversations end with him just walking off. They start mid-sentence.

Another introduced me to him. This friend warned me and prepared me: "It is his way, he comes across as rude, give him the benefit."

He is not rude, nor unkind. He breeds show cats and I once saw him whip out his phone, cooing over photos with another owner.

When I connect him to others, I do the same preparation: "Give him the benefit".

I wonder if I am given the same? And I wonder if I give it to others?