When I saw this “please and thank you” graphic tee, I had to have it. I don’t usually get too opinionated here on Kremb de la Kremb–which is quite the opposite in my real life; if you know me personally, you know I am always full of opinions in person. Usually I play it safer here on the blog, but in this post, I plan to say something bold: in English, “please” and “thank you” are two really important words. (I say in English because across the world in different languages you won’t always find a translation for “please” or “thank you.”) As a librarian, I work in a service industry, so I cannot tell you how wonderful it is to hear these two words used. As a mom, these are the two words I consistently remind my two children to use when they leave our home. Personally I try to use both of these words–everywhere. Using “please” acknowledges that someone will be doing something for me, and obviously, using “thank you” demonstrates my appreciation. Yet, not everyone uses these words which makes me wonder why….Is it upbringing? Is it education? Is it cultural? Is it entitlement? Or is it just plain rudeness? At any rate, I thought I would share my two simple rules for saying “please” and “thank you” in an attempt to help out my mini, manner revolution.
Rule #1:
If you want something from someone, say “please.”
Rule #2:
If you get something (for example an actual item or service) from an individual, say “thank you.”
Don’t forget please and thank you:
Here’s a list of some random, some special people I thought of that throughout my day today deserved a “please” and “thank you.” Consider your day…are you handing out these two words as often as you should?
- The taxi driver who takes me to work
- The barrista who makes my coffee
- Any cashier checkers I encounter in the day
- My colleagues
- Any email recipients
- The students I interact with throughout the day
- The bus driver who takes me home
- My housekeeper for helping with our home
- My kids when I ask them to help me with dinner
- My husband for his help with the dishes
- Any social media comments and blog commenters–hey, will that be you!?
Are there any manners that you feel strongly about? What are they?
Thank you to I’m a Norbyah for taking these pictures.
Some Outfit Details:
Graphic Tee–H&M
Sweatshirt–Forever 21
Skirt–Zara
Tennies–Adidas
Black Cape and Patent Flats–Forever 21
*This post has been linked up to Turning Heads, #iwillwearwhatilike, Style Saturday, and #Passion4Fashion.
Love you patent flats! And that’s a great tee.
When I was a kid it was drilled into me by my parents to say ‘please’ and ‘thank you’! I’m with you all the way with this mini manners revolution. When my clients thank me for helping them, it gives me such a buzz. And even outside of that in daily life, some common courtesies go a long, long way to oil the wheels. A small smile or hello to the person on the check out, will usually elicit better service, holding the door open for someone, is just being helpful and pleasant – it’s not difficult but I’m always amazed at how difficult or indifferent some people are about it!
http://petitesilvervixen.blogspot.co.uk
Exactly! I think my parents must have drilled it into me and now I do too onto my own kids. I feel like these two MAGICAL words can really work wonders! Here’s to the mini manner revolution!! A x
I love this Ann…if you knew me in real life you would know that I am a big fan of being nice! I am always chatty to anyone serving me and I hate to see people being rude to anyone providing a service.
I also hate to see people who are providing the service, being rude to customers.
It costs nothing to be nice and smiling at a grumpy bus driver usually results in a smile back.
It is nice to be nice and, in my experience, people go the extra mile for you if you are polite and friendly.
Whether it is getting an item from basement stock or adding an extra biscuit to your plate!
Working at a hospital, I see enough upset and misery…small things make people’s day a little better.
Smiles, pleases and thank yous cost nothing and can mean so much.
XXX
Samantha
http://www.fakefabulous.com
Samantha, I couldn’t have put it better than you have. (And of course you too Ann.)
I suppose it isn’t really rudeness, but rather sloppiness, careless. Manners and kindness have sort of slipped away when the world got faster and wider. I suppose that our manners, even when you say please and thank you all the time, are still nothing compared to the manners “in the old days”. The world changes and these things do too. Nevertheless, practicing kindness and noticing people brings joy to everyone. I am always surprised about the effect that has on catering people at a party. I always look them in the eye and say thank you or have a little chat. Not because of the effect of that, but because I want them to feel appreciated (everybody want to feel appreciated). The effect though is, that they sort of run after me through the whole party, making sure I get the best helping hahaha.
Greetje
And this is why I love you too Greetje. And to you too, beauty is as beauty does! A x
This is why I love you Samantha. Beauty is as beauty does!! Love, Annie
Living all over the world, I’ve seen such interesting manners (and sometime lack there of–or I guess just very different approaches). In India, lining up was AWFUL! Indians are one of the kindest people I’ve encountered, but boy, they don’t get lines! In Hong Kong they pretty much do get lines, BUT it’s very intense, so you gotta be moving fast (which on crutches hasn’t been so easy!).
I’m still mulling over your post. I’ll respond one of these days!! You’ve really got me thinking….
Thanks for stopping by and commenting!
Ann
Hello Andrea, thanks for stopping by, reading, and commenting! Love it!! Here’s to the mini manner revolution!! Ann
Gosh Ann, how similar we are. I’m quite opinionated in everyday life, but am very aware of not being so on my blog. But I wholeheartedly agree with you. These simple words make such a difference, especially if you notice they’re missing from those you interact with. I’m in the service industry and therefore it’s essential to give out the pleases and thank-yous across the board. It costs nothing, is nice to do, is just plain old polite and surely in a civilised society there’s no other option really? Well said.
Anna x
Anna’s Island Style
Love the tee and I couldn’t agree with you more! It seems like common manners have somehow fallen by the wayside and I’m not sure why. I think it’s a combination of everything you listed. It only takes a second to use “please” and “thank you”, but it makes a world of difference to the recipient.
Debbie
http://www.fashionfairydust.com
I’m opinionated in life and on my blog. I just figure I need to keep it real. I appreciate people that have an opinion much more than those that are trying to please everyone.
That said, I also appreciate a good please and thank you. As Canadian those are the first words that come out of our mouths. LOL Not really, but we are quite polite. Well, most of us anyhow.
bisous
Suzanne