I'm not thinking of flattery at all. I'm thinking of people too polite to say what they really think, and so what they do say is useless. He goes on and on about how hard it is to be critical and kind at the same time, the truth is, most people will just take the shortcut and just be kind. They are cutting things out and inserting meaningless pleasantries, not adding false compliments to get something.

Ok, and why do you think they are inserting meaningless pleasantries? Because they want something in return, even if it's more meaningless pleasantries. :)