Please and thank you. These magical words Barney used to talk about or maybe Will Rogers would do a segment on. I know my parents engrained them in me. I’m not sure why, but my early morning thoughts have been on this for the last two days. If you don’t use these words, use them. I’m sure your parents taught you good manners. If you’re a young adult, instill these words in your children. Ingrain them in your children’s head now. Manners are a small part of the very fabric of our society and those manners make the days pleasant and go by easy.
Please and thank you transcend all these buzz words that often divide us like politics, religion, race, ethnicity, color, sex, gender on and on. Frankly, these buzz words shouldn’t.
We live in a fast paced world where life is moving by us at 100mph. It could be easy for us to skip over these words. Don’t forget them. In fact, when dealing with a waiter or waitress and they ask…would you like a refill?”. Say yes please. When they return instead of saying…thank you say, thank you “so” much. Or when you’re inline to get coffee or McDonald’s or checking out at the grocery store. Look them in the eye and make it personal. If they have a name badge say thank you Jennifer.
My wife and my friend Rick use this tactic when eating out and they say hey, what’s your name? It shows them they acknowledge their existence and it makes it personal. If they bring you a refill say thank you Bill. I always forget the names. It’s not my strong suit. Ask for their name though.
We’re moving at 100mph it seems. Take the time to use those manners your parents gave you. Please and thank you. So simple. They transcend all divisions. Use them, teach them to your kids. Open doors for all people, always. You could make someone’s day by being polite. Focus and humble yourself by using those basics that we all know. You could make someone’s day and who knows, you could cause the butterfly effect.
There you have it. There’s my Thursday deep thoughts and public service announcement.
Binder of Thoughts 