So I’ve been noticing lately the difference in how people treat each other.  I’ve decided that perhaps there is something to be studied here.  From customer service to driving, from riding the bus to walking down the street, lets face it; we’re going to have to interact with each other.  I believe that each interaction is an opportunity to, at least, improve someone’s day at, on some level, improve the fabric of society.  I’m going to start this study with the simple act of saying please and thank you.

First, how hard is it to say these words.  “Please” – it’s one syllable, takes about half a second and doesn’t hurt at all.  You don’t even have to make your tongue do anything strange.  And how much does this simple word make a difference?  It’s incredible really.  Let’s try it shall we: “hand me my towel” vs. “hand me my towel, please.”  Very similar phrases, yet the first implies an order and the second implies gratitude and a realization that this person did not have to hand you the towel.  Granted, most times when you’re asking for a towel you would be on close terms with a person and may not need to say please but why not. 

Thank you is even better.  OK, it is two words and two syllables and takes maybe a full second to spit out, but man is it valuable.  It should be mandatory for people to say after anyone does anything for you.  From moving out of your way to picking you up at the airport.  It simply acknowledges that other person has acknowledged your existence and altered their existence in favor of yours.

Now some may say that if we say these things all the time that it will dilute the meaning.  I say that if you mean these words, that meaning will come across.  You don’t have to grab someone by the shoulders, look them in the eye, tell them thank you, and then hug them if they just passed you the ketchup, but a simple thanks is certainly in order.

 I work with a lady who never says please or thank you.  It kills me.  After two years of working with her I almost don’t want to lift a finger for her cause it seems like she demands everything and appreciates nothing.  In fact, some days it makes me want to undo some of the things I’ve done just for the opportunity to glean some gratitude from her.  It makes the work environment stressful and I believe is at the same time the cause and symptom of more serious problems.  Our work place would be a more unified and caring environment if she would simply say “thanks” once in a while.

This philosophy can extend to our neighbors, the coffee girl, other people in traffic, and makes a large difference for a small effort.  If we all treat each other as equals on this planet and with some respect, that respect will grow into caring and if we all cared about each other, there is nothing we wouldn’t do for each other and therefore we could accomplish anything.