As children, we are taught plenty of rules by the adults in our lives. But one of the most common manners every child learns is pretty straight forward: Always say “please” and “thank you.” As we age, we learn other useful etiquette skills like how to tip the correct amount and how to behave at a wedding. But it turns out the oldest rule in the book is also the most important. Saying “please” and “thank you” is a sure-fire way to be more polite, even in adulthood.
10 Little-Known Etiquette Rules You’re Likely Breaking
This tip might seem obvious. Of course you should ask, not demand, someone to do something for you and thank them afterward. But according to a study featured in the Royal Society Journal, we ask and thank people for requests less than we think. The study examined the everyday language used around the world and found that people said “thank you” in approximately one out of 20 instances of someone fulfilling a request or service in an informal setting. That means if a friend were to assist you 20 times in one day, you’d say “thank you” only once….