On saying please and thank you
I have lived in an English speaking country for more than a third of my life. Thus, I have managed to speak the language fluently. In fact, I teach, publish research and write in English even much more than I do in my own mother tongue (Spanish). To me, English is even sometimes a third language rather than my second. When I first started learning the language and becoming fluent, the first few words that I learned were “please” and “thank you“.
To me, given the cultures where I had been raised (Spanish-speaking), being polite and saying “thanks”, “please”, “I’m sorry” is part of my upbringing. However, as time has gone by, I have been encountering more and more English-speaking people who are unable or unwilling to say “please” or “thank you” or “I appreciate it“. Lack of politeness gets people nowhere with me. Usually it gets their email deleted, their request unapproved or simply ignored.
I think it’s part of the way in which our world is now advancing. Even in social media, with only 140 characters, people on Twitter seem to be reluctant to sacrifice their message being spread, all the while avoiding politeness, good manners and appropriate etiquette. I don’t think I’m taking a “holier than thou” attitude. I am just a bit shocked that some of my business communications and even a few personal interactions have gotten to the point where I have pointedly had to say “please, and thank you”.
Polite writing, good manners and all those pleasantries will get you places with me. Lack thereof will not.
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Dear Dr. Pacheco,
Thank you Raul for this much needed reminder that the “common” courtesies are not so common these days. My bug bear is those who reply to thank you (if they reply at all) with “no worries” or “un huh”. The correct response is “you are welcome”.
Yours sincerely,
Thank you dear Debra. This means a lot.
Damn straight. Thank you.
Agreed! Even on twitter, a nice “TY” or “pls” is much appreciated. And more than anything, *always* say thank you to your baristas, drivers, messengers, couriers and receptionists! They make the world go round!
You know, ever since I got back from the Dominican, I keep catching myself saying “gracias” when I mean to say “thank you.” And one time in DR when I meant to say “gracias,” I said “merci.”