Please and Thank You, where have you gone? Are we facing the total collapse of courtesy?

Courteous - marked by respect for and consideration of others. (Webster)

What has happened to the use of common courtesy? The appropriate use of the words 'please' and 'thank you' represent courteousness in its most basic level. Why are these three little words so scarce these days?

I've had teeagers tell me that I'm just old-fashioned; that no one has to say please or thank you anymore. Their reason, "My friends know what I mean. They know me. They don't need to hear me say corny s*** like that.".

I've even encountered adults who seem to have dropped please and thank you from their every-day vocabulary. A few have accused me of being sarcastic when I preface a request with please, or express appreciation by saying thank you. More frequently I'm told that I "don't have to beg", or that "there's no need to be formal with me!".

Courtesy has nothing to do with need or have to. The use of 'please' to preface a request or as an expression of polite affirmation is just that -- polite, good manners. Please can convey respect or transform a demand into a gentle request. The same goes for the use of 'thank you'. It is a simple expression of appreciation. By acknowledging a deed done, a question answered, or even "Bless you" after a sneeze, with a simple thank you we've communicated our appreciation and respect.

Being courteous involves being polite and using good manners. We all like to feel appreciated, don't we? I beleive that practicing common courtesy towards others regularly will benefit us all. Please, let's give it a try.

Thank you for your consideration :)

06/01/08