At the Y this afternoon two surly-looking elementary-school boys were at the front desk asking the attendant if they could borrow basketballs. They didn't smile at him. They didn't make eye contact. And they certainly didn't say "please."
The attendant asked if they had their Y membership cards.
"No," they said. (No apology.)
Would they be sure and bring them next time? he asked politely.
"Yes," they replied, pro forma.
The Y employee (who was much, MUCH more tolerant than I would've been) then gave them basketballs.
Not good enough: One of the boys said he didn't like the one he was given; he wanted a particular one. Again, no "please."
At this point I left, despairing for the future of civilized society. Let's just hope these rude kids learn that saying "please" and "thank you" is not only the right thing to do, it will make your life easier in the long run.
Oh, that kind of stuff makes me so mad! I would have had a hard time not prompting a "please" and "thank you" out of them.
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