Elina - Week 12: Please and Thank You.
Two phrases that are often said every day: when I want to get takeout, or when I need help on a math question, or when someone picks up my pencil. Simple yet short phrases. Capturing what could be said through long, thoughtful stories in just a few concise words. Two phrases I never really understood yet stuck to me like glue.
It’s a complimentary gesture to respect those around you–whether you feel immense adoration or extreme contempt. The shallow and complicated feelings that can be similarly portrayed or left out makes the idea special. From family to strangers, “Please” and “Thank you” can be used in various situations to alleviate the seeming discomfort and stiffness in the air, washing over people like a breath of fresh air through the respect they are given.
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| Importance of Saying “Please” |
Similarly, “Thank you” often implies respect–even if I text my friends a shortened form–except in cases where people may use it sarcastically. It acknowledges their existence and importance in two short words, creating a sense of mutual respect. However, different people may view the same phrase with a different level of respect or love; some people may see a hug or gift as more valuable to them.
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| Importance of Saying “Thank you” |
They’re known as magic words, and rightly so; placing importance on gratitude and respect not only builds long-lasting connections but also serves as a part of self-love and optimism.
Hi Elina! I love how you described that the phrases “Please” and “Thank you” “stuck to [you] like a glue” to highlight the frequent use of those two phrases in your everyday life! I was glad to see how you pointed out that these phrases can be used in various situations and even in cases of “extreme contempt” to show how its use is not constrained to just expressing “immense adoration.” The comic you included to show how “please” is often associated with respect and politeness is so cute! The second comic really made me think about the importance of phrasing and how simply adding the “Thank you” can completely shift the tone in a sentence, as well as the attitude of the listener. I agree that “Please” and “Thank you” are “magic words” as including those in your sentences give you the power to alleviate tensions in conversations or serve as a catalyst in creating long-lasting relationships. Thank you for writing this blog Elina!
ReplyDeleteHi Elina! I love how simple, yet profoundly wholesome, your blog is. I love how you seamlessly flowed through the sub-topics and incorporated imagery that depicts everyday life to make the subject more relatable. Also, I adore how you can vary your sentence structure so flawlessly to interchange between simpler and more complex sentences. I think it goes to show your aptitude for language and syntax.
ReplyDeleteLike you, I have a tendency to say “sorry,” “please,” and “thank you” without too much hesitation, even when I don’t mean them (“stuck to me like glue,” as you said). While the action may be largely driven by people-pleasing motives, I like to think these so-called magic words have the ability to make someone’s day. From Mrs. Smith’s exuberant “thank you” when she scans IDs in FLEX to the muttered “sorry” of a random stranger who I bumped into, I truly agree with the fact that such pleasantries reflect gratitude and optimism.
Thank you for sharing a great blog post. Did you see what I did there. Anyways, I thought your post was a great idea because please and thank you are phrases that are ingrained within our brains and used daily. Taught from a young age, these simple words show politeness which is crucial in first impressions and general courtesy. I liked how you talked about the other meanings of the words as well which I have not necessarily thought about. Personally when I hear somebody use the phrases please and thank you, I immediately feel a sense of respect and feel obligated to listen or understanding what the other person is requesting me because of their politeness. They truly are two powerful phrases! Great blog post.
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