(What's So Funny 'Bout) Please, Thank You and Understatement
Jan 1, 2019, 11:25 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: East Cheam
Programs: QF, BA, VA
Posts: 198
(What's So Funny 'Bout) Please, Thank You and Understatement
So 2019 is here, BA has looked after me rather well over the last 12 months and I find myself starting the year with a little ex EU jaunt to Sydney and on to Melbourne in F with added bits in CE and QF J.
I am an inveterate, some may say habitual, occupant of the CCR at LHR, and bucking what seems to be a trend on FT, I find it a pleasant experience. In particular I think the staff are jolly good, engaging and all up rather fun. (I know this is heresy to an alarming number of posters here.)
What does irk me though is the number of pax in the lounge whose vocabulary lacks some rather wonderful words - Please and Thank You. As I find myself sitting at the bar with a Dry Martini, ruing BA's failure to insist upon Coates Plymouth Gin (Navy Strength of course.) as the go to gin, I am taken aback by the number of people who do not utter please when making their drinks request, nor thank you when receiving it.
I understand that I sound like a letter writer to The Times c1950, but, what ho, it is a bit off. (Manners maketh man and all that.) [....and no that phrase was in use several hundred years before the 2015 Kingsman film.
]
Happy New Year folks.
*As with the vast majority of my inane posts the teenagers might have to google the odd reference - not least my rather pathetic attempt at a title.
I am an inveterate, some may say habitual, occupant of the CCR at LHR, and bucking what seems to be a trend on FT, I find it a pleasant experience. In particular I think the staff are jolly good, engaging and all up rather fun. (I know this is heresy to an alarming number of posters here.)
What does irk me though is the number of pax in the lounge whose vocabulary lacks some rather wonderful words - Please and Thank You. As I find myself sitting at the bar with a Dry Martini, ruing BA's failure to insist upon Coates Plymouth Gin (Navy Strength of course.) as the go to gin, I am taken aback by the number of people who do not utter please when making their drinks request, nor thank you when receiving it.
I understand that I sound like a letter writer to The Times c1950, but, what ho, it is a bit off. (Manners maketh man and all that.) [....and no that phrase was in use several hundred years before the 2015 Kingsman film.
]Happy New Year folks.
*As with the vast majority of my inane posts the teenagers might have to google the odd reference - not least my rather pathetic attempt at a title.
Jan 1, 2019, 11:29 am
#2
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: London, UK
Programs: BAEC GGL/GFl, HH Diamond, BW Diamond, Virgin Voyages Deep Blue Extra, Blue Peter Badge Holder
Posts: 3,937
I'd wholehearted agree, well said! If people were a little more understanding of others, showed respect to those, particularly when they are trying to help the whole system would be far more pleasant to enjoy.
Happy new year to you too.
Happy new year to you too.
Jan 1, 2019, 11:57 am
#4
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Cumbria
Programs: BAEC GGL/CCR, Hilton Diamond, Starbucks Gold
Posts: 4,510
I fully agree about the staff. I’ve had some very pleasant evenings at the bar.
And I also agree with regard to basic manners. I have to pretty annoyed with somebody/something before I voluntarily fail to say please or thank you.
And I also agree with regard to basic manners. I have to pretty annoyed with somebody/something before I voluntarily fail to say please or thank you.
Jan 1, 2019, 12:56 pm
#8
Join Date: Mar 2017
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 224
I will come to the rescue for some of the "non-please" saying crowd. In many non English speaking countries there is actually no word used as "please" is in English, so might get lost. However, a thank you, everyone should be able to muster. If not, burn them at the stake, together with the native English speaking that misses on please!
Jan 1, 2019, 1:12 pm
#9
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Krakow
Programs: BAEC Silver, Miles and More(FTL), IHG(Platinum), Accor, HHonors(Diamond), SPG, Hertz Five Star
Posts: 5,983
Nothing new and not just BA. Many many years ago now I was on an EK flight from DXB to LHR and when given my meal I said "thank you". The stewardess stopped in her tracks stared at me, took a step back and asked " did you say 'thank you?'". I had made her day (maybe even week/month)
Jan 1, 2019, 1:15 pm
#10
Join Date: Feb 2008
Programs: BA (GGL/CCR)
Posts: 1,256
Jan 1, 2019, 1:36 pm
#11
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 7,242
I will come to the rescue for some of the "non-please" saying crowd. In many non English speaking countries there is actually no word used as "please" is in English, so might get lost. However, a thank you, everyone should be able to muster. If not, burn them at the stake, together with the native English speaking that misses on please!
I really feel for those - waiters, cashiers, cabin crew, security agents, all those professions where you deal with many people every day - who are subject to this lack of manners.
Jan 1, 2019, 1:50 pm
#12
Join Date: Mar 2017
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 224
There most certainly are equivalents of "please" in Spanish, French, Italian to be used when asking and receiving something... And I daresay that the overwhelming majority of people using the CCR or BA knows English fairly well. I used to count the number of "pleases" I received when flying or working on the ground and I found, in my little experience, that Traveller passengers thanked more than those flying on the pointy end. In fact, I received more insults and I've been cursed more times in two hours as the "bouncer" of the CCR door, the one by South Security, than in a day volunteering during disruption due to snow. My great-grandmother used to say that many have money but few are gentlemen.
I really feel for those - waiters, cashiers, cabin crew, security agents, all those professions where you deal with many people every day - who are subject to this lack of manners.
I really feel for those - waiters, cashiers, cabin crew, security agents, all those professions where you deal with many people every day - who are subject to this lack of manners.
Jan 1, 2019, 1:53 pm
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: jfk area
Programs: AA platinum; 2MM AA, Delta Diamond, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 10,291
I will come to the rescue for some of the "non-please" saying crowd. In many non English speaking countries there is actually no word used as "please" is in English, so might get lost. However, a thank you, everyone should be able to muster. If not, burn them at the stake, together with the native English speaking that misses on please!
Jan 1, 2019, 2:18 pm
#14
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: City of Kingston Upon Hull
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 4,940
I suspect that this issue is less to do with vocabulary and more to do with a culture for some who believe it it is beneath them to treat people, who they see as servile, with a basic level of respect. A long lingering remnant of feudal societies, which has no place in the modern world.
Jan 1, 2019, 3:21 pm
#15
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Perth WA/ UK
Programs: BA Gold, Priority Club Gold, Accor Silver, Virgin Australia Gold
Posts: 1,752
Rudeness...why all the excuses? It's the same as those who just want to talk loud on mobiles or park themselves close by and start having Telecon meetings on line. Over it all. It must be hard being so important and that basic manners can escape so many.