I’ve been thinking about a post called Dante would be proud, at the Church of the Customer for two weeks now. The post is only 7 lines long, but points to a Wall Street Journal article about a law firm that is teaching it’s partners to have manners.
It sounds like they’re learning via PowerPoint. Ouch!
I can understand the position they’re in. I lost my manners once. I’m not sure when or where they went. Maybe they left when we changed to a casual dress code at work, or maybe they flew the coop when parents let their kids call adults by first names. I don’t know
I just know that mine were restored by a lovely 8-year-old Australian girl.
We were at a gathering at a home where I was staying while working on a publishing project. The young lady’s mother was an author on the project and is a friend. This young lady herself is a fabulous conversation partner. While we were talking, I volunteered to help her fill her plate from the massive buffet that was being offered. My arms were longer.
Each time I asked, Would you like this?
My sweet new acquaintance answered with, Yes, please. Thank you! or No, thank you.
How could I NOT say You’re welcome to a smiling face saying that? How could I not MEAN You’re welcome? It felt good to help her choose what she liked.
Several Yes, pleases in a row took me back to second grade, hearing my teacher say, We’re polite to show other people we care and to give them our respect.
I’ve been saying, Yes, please. No, thank you. and You’re Welcome. ever since. In a way, saying, Yes please, makes me feel brand new — like a kid again.
Yes please is so much more fun to say than just saying Yes.
This weekend I’m going to be saying Yes, please! Thank you! You’re Welcome! whenever I can
Thank you for reading this. . . . Thank you again. 🙂
