What happened to “Please”?

19 Jul

Posted by centrinads as Fun stuff, Self Improvement

I was just in Starbucks getting a soy latte (love it with brown sugar). The women next to me collects her coffee from the barista and then says “Can I have a tray?” She didn’t say it rudely - she just wasn’t polite.

That got me thinking. Whatever happened to ‘please”?

To me, “please” means “I respect you”. “Thank you” means “I appreciate you”. Good manners are powerful in showing those around you that you care about them.

How often have you bought something at a store or ordered something in a restaurant and just ached to hear some good manners?

Good manners are stepping stone to being a remarkable human being, whether as a mother, a father, a salesperson or the CEO. They really do show people that you respect them. Yes, having good manners is common sense. But as the French philosopher Voltaire once said “Common sense is anything but common.” And if all this stuff is so obvious, how come most people don’t do it?

8 Responses

kmzseo

July 20th, 2008 at 3:40 am
1

Please” is used as a polite addition to requests, commands, etc.) — If you would be so kind, please come here. Will you please turn the radio off?

“Please” is used as a verb (used with object) — To take pleasure or satisfaction from. To please the public.

“Please” can be the pleasure or will of — May it please your Majesty.

“Please used as averb (used without object), to like, wish, or feel inclined — Go where you please.
pindot

July 20th, 2008 at 2:21 pm
2

the problem is that common sense is not available on starbucks. how i wish it can be bought cheap.

I guess media (tv shows, movies) have a big influences on this.
titan

July 20th, 2008 at 10:16 pm
3

yap. i agree. Its hard to said that please word..
Norehan

July 21st, 2008 at 4:36 am
4

“Please” is like very “diamond” word to come out or said it out from ours
Cyberpartygal

July 21st, 2008 at 9:56 am
5

I’ve been thought to say please, thank you and sorry since young.
titan

July 23rd, 2008 at 2:33 pm
6

please like a diamond? I need to agree that. Thats why its hard for some people to said it.
oktant

July 23rd, 2008 at 6:44 pm
7

hi,

for me, initial education is really important.
doesn’t matter either formal or informal
education.

our parents and teacher always teach us
to be polite, respect others and just do the
good things since we’re kids.

but, after we grown up started as
teenagers, all has been change
gradually, isn’t?

one of the big factor changed us
is environment.

normally people, friends, mass media
and anything around us will influence
our behaviour.

if we didn’t stick on what we’ve learn
from our parents and teachers….
i think that why people change.

p/s: just my opinion.
virtualassistant

July 31st, 2008 at 1:11 am
8

Sometimes please get lost, but people don’t really mean to be rude. Sometimes practice at home matters too.