Over on RPG.net there's a discussion of secrecy in games. I've seen it from both sides of the GMs Screen. It's great if you're the player keeping the secrets, but bad for everyone else.
You know, you Americans always say thank you. More even than the British. Americans thank you for anything. "Thank you! Thanks!" I can give them a napkin and they'll say 'thank you.' How are you so polite?