My father was much the same way. He was a route man for a laundry for over fifteen years, his route taking him through miles of country roads in West Virginia. Then he became a rural mail carrier, traveling over pretty much the same roads and seeing the same people. He didn't know any Emily Post stuff or Amy what's her name but he had good manners towards everyone but never in a servile manner. My mother was an invalid so she never really taught me anything.