"News is pouring in from across the world regarding the fate of Please and Thank You. The long established common courtesy duo have been seen less and less in recent years leading to rumours they were about to retire from public life altogether. Others suggest they have been kidnapped against their will and left to die in the desert of disrespect. Polite forces from many nations are asking people to be vigilant in the hope that they are still alive somewhere and can be reintegrated into everyday life"
One morning recently, I was in a queue (line) waiting to order breakfast. The guy in front of me must have ordered about seven items. As I listened to each step of the order, I couldn't help but notice the complete absence of "please" and "thank you". "Can I have this, can I have that, oh and can I have this as well". Not a single "please"! I thought perhaps he is saving it all up for a really big "THANK YOU" at the end. Apparently not as the lady prepared and provided him with his order and he left the store without any semblance of acknowledgment. I shook my head in disbelief but remained silent.( People can get hurt for raising an objection these days!). I also noticed that the lady serving him his breakfast also left out any "thank you". I assumed this was her way of objecting to the customers rudeness.
I was wrong! As I ordered my own breakfast, slipping in as many "pleases" and smiles as I could and finishing off with a pleasant "thank you", I left the store stunned and angry as I too was dismissed without a "thank you".
In an office job I had recently, we recruited an 18 year old young man as a receptionist. I spent 12 months teaching him how important it was to say "please" and "thank you" to people. Not because it was part of my job but because he honestly didn't know! He would ask for things without a please and take things without a thank you. He was not a child, he was a young man unaware of the concepts of courtesy and respect. He is not alone. This has become a disease which is rapidly spreading. Although the courtesy tumour seems more prevalent in younger people, it is far from exclusive.
Holding a door to a store open recently, five people walked in as I waited. One person said "thank you" and one smiled politely. The remainder just barged in, oblivious to both me and the world around them.
What has happened? What is going on? This is not an isolated incident. This is occurring on a daily basis and becoming more and more frequent. At what point, in which generation did we (the world) decide life would be better if we took simple acts of respect out of the equation?
My imaginary news report may be dappled in sarcasm and my examples may seem petty but what hope is there for the world and its larger issues if we can't even get "Please" and "Thank You" right?
Thank you for reading.
Currently studying freelance journalism, Julian is a creative writer and poet and writes both professionally and for pleasure. Professionally, Julian writes articles for an internet marketing company and although he is often restricted by topic, his writing still maintains his own unique style. He has written a series of heartfelt and impartial articles about the success and controversy surrounding the electronic cigarette. He has found the discipline involved with this work to be a great writing exercise and believes it enhances and improves the rest of his writing. Julian's articles at Searchwarp are of a much more personal nature, where he feels he can express his views and interests in the world around him.
» left by Jo from UK (1 year 156 days ago.)
Common courtesy and smiles don't cost anything so why is it so difficult?? I agree with you. You don't often hear parents correcting their children these days - it only seems to be getting worse.
Like the way you wrote this. Respond to this comment
» left by James P Krehbiel(1,141) James P Krehbiel (1 year 150 days ago.)
Julian, Parents need to teach their children ways to show civility. Kindness toward others is the most important quality we can teach. I can't tell you the number of times I have opened doors for adults with not even an acknowlegment. Excellent article and very true unfortunately. I wrote an article called "Where Has Common Courtesy Gone" which can be found on this site. Take care.
» left by Julian Price(13,476) Julian Price (1 year 149 days ago.)
Thank you James for your comment. I am still fairly new to this community and have only just figured out how to respond to individual comments! Thanks again.
» left by Kathy Slattengren from Seattle, WA (1 year 150 days ago.)
The most basic form of showing respect is to use "please" and "thank you". Parents do their children a grave disservice when they fail to teach them this. I find that children who don't use "please" and "thank you" are disrespectful in a number of other ways. I'm glad you took the time to teach the 18 year old receptionist the importance of this!
» left by Julian Price(13,476) Julian Price (1 year 149 days ago.)
Such a good comment Kathy, thank you. You are correct of course, "please" and "thank you" shows respect at its most basic and simple. Thanks again.
» left by Teresa Ortiz(10,884) Teresa Ortiz (1 year 150 days ago.)
Hi Julian, thanks for sharing. I had heard the first portion of your story and it was just as powerful as the first time. We need these constant reminders. And I agree with all the above comments as well. Thanks for the reminder.
» left by Julian Price(13,476) Julian Price (1 year 149 days ago.)
Thanks again Teresa for reading me! Not sure i responded to the comment you made on my other article correctly..still working out what all the buttons do here! Hope i got this one right.
» left by Teresa Ortiz(10,884) Teresa Ortiz (1 year 149 days ago.)
Hi Julian, no worries, it took me awhile to figure it all out and sometimes I still do it wrong :-) Keep sharing!!
It seems ridiculously hard to brain wash children with these terms. I have never myself NOT said please or thank you and remind my children every single time they forget it and even refuse their request if they forget it, but.........few years on and they still forget it!!
I wonder when it becomes automatic and how.....
Maybe they do not hear these terms used enough by those around them (aside from me) ?
Thanks for adding to the debate, it really is a conundrum isn't it? I find it puzzling really, where did the chain stop? If our generation were well versed in please and thank you and we passed that onto our kids....nope..I cannot fathom it out but something went wrong somewhere! Thanks again.
Thanks for the reminder. I think it all starts at home with the parents. Children only do what they learn. My two year old granddaughter is now saying "Peeeeze" and "eh ooo". I love it.
Thanks David, for reading and commenting. Nice to hear from you again. As you say like most things the problem probably starts with a lack of parental guidance but does that mean its now a reality with the problem being so bad that fewer and fewer parents are teaching their kids basic manners and politeness? Scary!
Julian, Exactly. It is the littel things that are signs and symbols. Once we focus on those it becomes even larger. Like the F word and MF all comon and accepted words today, why? Call it fad, culture, whatevr, in my opinion and many could less about that, a sign of the age. Good Job!!!!!!
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