Culture and risk avoidance. It seems a safe way to frame things because others have did it that way before and the author can't remember anything bad happening to them.

American business communication, especially when addressing mass audiences, has its own special modes. I find a lot of it gross, and I'm a native.

I will say, ability to cut the nonsense is definitely a positive distinguishing factor when interviewing, but that's hit or miss; there are lots of smart, decent people with whom I just don't "click" and I imagine that's the case for most folks.