Table Manners #1: Use 'please' and 'thank you'

Listen, manners translate. They are a form of communication spanning cultures and generations. They show respect, demand respect and open doors. If the basics of manners were not important, we wouldn't teach them to children at such a young age. And for those of whom believe people don't notice a lack of pleases and thank yous, they are the ones who don't use them and don't listen for them.

I can't tell you how many times I have said, 'I'm sorry?' in response to a guest request. My attempt at a second chance to fill-in the end of their question with a please. I play it off as though I just didn't hear them...but in fact, I did. I just didn't like the way they said it.

Hey, this all may sound snotty to you, but how many times have you footed the bill at a restaurant only not to be thanked at the end? Try serving the thankless lot.

This is the point in which I remind you (and myself) that I do enjoy what I do. And I have chosen this profession for the time being. I don't need to have my clogs worshiped by my guests.

More importantly, I'm not limiting the use of please and thank you to the restaurant! How about the department store? The bank? The cashier at the corner store?

This isn't rocket science, its basic pre-k! If you want to hear it, say it!