Say ‘please’ and ‘thank you’

Photo by Leeloo The First on Pexels

The advice…

Say ‘please’ and ‘thank you’… simple words that make a difference. Truly magical.

Where it’s coming from…

When I was a child, my parents would always tell me: “Say ‘please’ and ‘thank you’”. This was their send-off phrase each time they dropped me off somewhere - such as a friend’s house, a party, a piano lesson - much like a hug.

These words were drilled into me (which explains why I still use them - a lot). I’ve taken them for granted for all my life, assuming that people use them because… well… they should: it’s polite and a basic sign of human decency and mutual respect.

But now I see that in some circles, these words are almost extinct. I hear children firing off orders at their parents or peers. I hear people in restaurants shouting demands at the waitering staff.

What a pity. Because here’s the thing: “please” and “thank you” are not just manners. They are small but deliberate acts of recognition. They tell the person in front of you: “I see you. I value what you’re doing. It matters.”

These little words can make all the difference: They can inject ‘purpose’ into a day of work, ‘satisfaction’ into the smallest of deeds, and ‘respect’ wherever they fall. They can transform gestures into gifts, and strangers into friends. They add some sparkly joy.

So… say “please” and “thank you”… please.