I know we have all heard the saying mind your P’s and Q’s. What does that mean? Some people have said it means Pennies and Quarters. Well, that makes complete sense right? I am pretty sure when the adult woman in my life have said to me, “mind your P’s and Q’s” it had nothing to do with cash! It was usually right before anywhere that I was supposed to be well-behaved.
I think that the P’s and Q’s that were said to me meant Please and Thank You’s.
I was raised to have manners. It doesn’t take much to have them, some people just don’t know this long-lost art. It bothers me greatly when I am checking out at Quickie Mart. You lay your cash into a workers hands, you say have a good day and this is what you get in return. “Yeah, you too.” Some other responses are “Uh Huh,” “Yep,” and “You Bet.” I am sure you all have your favorites to add to the list.
IF you are one the ones that say the “Uh Huhs” then please let me tell you a little somethin’, somethin’. You sound silly and probably because you just don’t know. Here is the logic behind it. It brings no joy, happiness, or gratitude to who you are speaking with.
Let’s look at this from a child’s view. If a child, let us say three or four, gives you a flower and looks up at you with those sweet eyes and a huge smile on their face, do you say, “Yah, uh huh, you bet?” NO! You would say, “Thank you!” If said child says “thank you” for the drink, do you say, “Yup, uh huh, you betcha?” No, you would say, “You are welcome!” The reason why is because you show your gratitude, your kindness to them. The same goes for adults. We appreciate you saying, “Have a nice day,” “Appreciate your business,” “You’re welcome,” “Yes, Please,” and “No, Thank You.”
Those are my P’s and Q’s that I grew up with and it is never ever too late to start. Let’s make everyone’s day a little brighter by, “Minding our P’s and Q’s!”
Please and Thank you,
You have hit the nail on the head with this one! Manners can not be more important! Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us!