A small rant, not directed at anyone in meatspace, nosireebob.

[e_juliana]

"Please" and "thank you" are not mere empty phrases to be discarded in this fashionably informal age. They are acknowledgements of a person's basic humanity, a recognition that your request is being processed by a human and not a machine. To not use them informs the requestee of their exact status (or lack thereof) in your mind, fostering resentment and rudeness. Giving commands should be reserved for crises and affairs of state - times when immediacy of action supersedes the need to be polite.

Whether you are addressing a fast-food worker, an administrative assistant, a fellow passenger, or the President of Burundi, basic manners should remain in force at all times. Otherwise, you risk a marker being thrown at your head.

Fucko.

Comments

[power-puffs-lab.livejournal.com]

I used to work (not at the same company but I had to collaborate with him a lot) with a man who NEVER say "hello" "good bye" "thank you" "please" no basic people skills and really gruff to boot. I finally got used to it. But one day without thinking I asked a volunteer to call him to get some really basic information, she was practially crying when she was done. Never again did I ask anyone else to call him.

[jmhm.livejournal.com]

not to mention that it's a sign of self-respect, a far better way to go through life without unpleasantness, a kind thing to do, and (despite what the hopped up turboyuppies and bored rich housewives amongst us might flatter themselves) a powerful class signifier.

[stephl.livejournal.com]

or the President of Burundi

Je suis le president du Burundi.

Le sange est sur la branche!

[pix-kristin.livejournal.com]

A thousand times YES.

I work on this with my (teenaged, ack) high school students constantly.

[chicating.livejournal.com]

Please don't be an idiot. Thank you.
(/Homicide likes carrots)

[debg.livejournal.com]

What I have to figure out is where common courtesy disappeared into the shadows, where it's been hiding. We utilise both liberally.

An odd aside, though - Nic and I differ completely on addressing a stranger by name. Nic will thank tollbooth workers by name (visible on their badges); I tend to think it's intrusive, because just because they're being forced to tell me their name by their job requirements doesn't equate to wanting me to adddress them by it.

But we both say please and thank you, he with name, me without.

[manraysky.livejournal.com]

Amen, sister.