‘Please’, ‘Sorry’ and ‘Thank you’
Three magic words that are supposed to make everything better or at least ease your life’s journey. Some add ‘Excuse me’ to the group of really polite words to use as much as is needed.
It is felt that use of these words when and where necessary can have an almost magical effect. In fact, a lot of daily issues can be as a result of withholding any of these words when needed, intentionally or not.
How then are they overrated?
Inasmuch as a world without these words is going to be far from pleasant or anything close to comfortable, they are actually given more importance than they are due.
How so?
More value is being placed on saying them than on actually meaning them.
Because of differences between individuals, environments and nurture, some people are going to find it easier or natural to incorporate these words in their lives and interactions, than others. It doesn’t necessarily mean that they are more polite than others who are not used to them or that they mean it, and neither does it mean that they don’t.
It’s simply stating that saying ‘sorry, thank you, please or excuse me’ out of habit takes away the ‘magic’.
Someone can apologise just to end a conflict and not really because they are sorry for what they did or that they even know or acknowledge what they did wrong. They could say ‘thank you’ without actually feeling grateful for whatever was done for them. In such and many other cases, there is no magic to the words.
Intentions aside, these words build and mend relationships and add a whole lot to the qualities of a person. More than the words however, the reasons behind them should be forefront.
It’s all the more beautiful when you mean them
Thank you for sticking around till the end.
Please share (winks)
Tell me your thoughts in the comments.
16 comments
The fact that you thought about this article alone is magical
ReplyDeleteI always felt this way (magic words being overrated) but missed the right words communicate how I feel when asked why I don't forgive certain kind of people
Thank you for enlightening me with words to express myself
I'm really glad that it resonates well with you.
DeleteI hope you forgive them though(runs away)
Good to use those words, but a better impact is made when we mean what's been said. Nice piece. Well done.
ReplyDeleteThank you very much sir and thanks for sharing this
DeleteWell I disagree somehow because in some intense moments like conflicts and arguments, you saying sorry is like adding salt to the wound. Me for an example I prefer being left alone after an argument than saying sorry.
ReplyDeleteBut all the same, that one was nice bro 👍👍👍
Thank you for sharing this view... It's also true that depending on the situation they can actually make it worse... But I think it also depends on how it's said, what was behind it being said etc
DeleteWhich is basically what the post is about
This article has a deep meaning me. I have a belief that one shouldn't say sorry except he means it (don't know if it's right). The word sorry is one of the most soothing words as it is also one of the most if not the most abused words. Hopefully this article will help in changing our mindset. Well done 3B
ReplyDeleteThank you so much... I'm glad you felt it
DeleteAs hard as it may be, I do hope we can mean what we say and hopefully every word would be magical. Hopefully
Excuse me Sir, I am sorry but can you please get the fuck out of my sight before I gut you with a butter knife.
ReplyDeleteMhmm that's not so magical right?
I wouldn't want to hear that at all.. God save my soul.
Some people say sorry before going ahead to hurt you, some say please before exploiting you and these goes to show that the magic words are as powerful as the intention wether good or bad.
Haha... God save our souls
DeleteYou got me with first lines
'The magic words are as powerful as the intention, whether good or bad'... Word!
Am just lost of words, nice piece well written 🙌🏿😉 all for u
ReplyDeleteAll for you too...haha
DeleteThanks for sharing
I don't feel that they're overrated.
ReplyDeleteYes I get the fact that they are frequently misused, but I feel it still doesn't change the value.
Everything is all about perspective. From the perspective of the recipient of the word, it makes everything better, thereby achieving its purpose of making things pleasant.
Besides non of us can really judge the misuse of the words, because at some point in time, we've all done the same thing (misusing the words).
Thank you so much for sharing this...
DeleteI see with you that their value is timeless and that we are all guilty of misusing them once in every while. Also still hold that we can be more intentional about what we say and why we say them-being genuine and true, which is surely not as easy as it is to type.
Thanks again for sharing this
The more we imbibe this attitude of gratitude, the better our lives becomes. Its important to note that even the littlest kindness shown shouldn't be left unappreciated.
ReplyDeleteAnd to always apologise when necessary. It makes us nothing less of who we are.
Thanks for this great piece Bob. Keep the ink flowing.
Our words and relationships with people inevitably affect the quality of our lives
DeleteThank you so much...and for sharing this.