I've learned that when one person says they asked someone something politely/friendly/nicely/respectfully it is very often not received that way.
This resonates with me
a lot. I had a run-in with a neighbour over her dog barking about a year/ 18 months ago. As far as I'm concerned, I still believe on reflection that I remained polite when I asked her to stop her dog barking.
My wife however, having known me for 23 years puts a different spin on such situations. I am a fairly big guy and have been known to sport a 'resting bastard face' (in my loving wife's words). I frown an awful lot, 90% through concentration alone though, but it does mean that unless I'm giving you a big grin or actually laughing, then I can probably come across as a bit surly or intimidating, even if I don't feel that way.
Couple this general air of Victor Meldrew with a genuinely polite and friendly request to stop your dog barking could definitely be seen by the recipient as anything
but friendly or polite, I fully acknowledge.
The bloke in his 20's that she sent to my house afterwards to confront me about my 'angry, agressive shouting' and using the F-bomb got a completely different experience though. He got the full-on 'Dad, here's my new boyfriend' frown.
More efficient, less polite words were used with him.