On Saying Please
I. Answer these questions in one or two words.
1. Where was Alfred G. Gardiner born?
Ans: Chelmsford, Essex, England.
2. Is discourtesy a legal offence?
Ans: No, discourtesy is not a legal offence.
3. Which literary period did John Keats belong to?
Ans: John Keats belonged to the second generation of Romantic poets.
4. What effect has the war had on the niceties and civilities of life?
Ans: The war had a chilling effect on the niceties and civilities of life.
5. Whom does Gardiner feature as a perfect example of polite social behaviour?
Ans: The bus conductor.
II. Answer these questions in a few words.
1. Why did the young lift-man in the city office throw the passenger out of his lift?
Ans: The young lift-man threw the passenger out of the lift because the passenger rudely refused to say “please.”
2. What does the law say with regard to discourtesy?
Ans: The law states that discourtesy is not a punishable offence, and it does not justify physical assault.
3. What would happen if people were free to physically attack others because of bad manners?
Ans: If people were allowed to assault others for bad manners, society would become chaotic and filled with constant quarrels and violence.
4. What is the penalty for a person for being uncivil?
Ans: The penalty is social disapproval; such a person is regarded as ill-mannered and unpleasant.
5. What happened to Gardiner one day when he was sitting on the top of a bus?
Ans: One day, while sitting on the top of a bus reading, someone accidentally stepped heavily on his sensitive toe.
III. Answer these questions briefly.
1. How does the ‘pain of a wound to our self-respect’ linger on?
Ans: Physical pain caused by injury usually fades quickly once the wound heals. However, an insult to our self-respect causes emotional pain that lasts longer. Such humiliation often stays in our minds and continues to trouble us for a long time.
2. What kind of victory is preferable? How could the lift-man have achieved a better victory?
Ans: The author believes that a moral or spiritual victory is better than a physical one. The lift-man could have achieved a better victory by treating the rude passenger with exceptional politeness instead of throwing him out. This would have shown his superiority in manners and self-control.
3. What prompts Gardiner to praise the bus conductor?
Ans: Gardiner praises the bus conductor because of his kindness, patience, and politeness toward passengers. When Gardiner once forgot to bring his fare, the conductor kindly gave him a ticket and trusted him to pay later. This generous act deeply impressed Gardiner and showed how courtesy can influence others positively.
IV. Answer these questions in detail.
1. “Please and Thank you are the small change with which we pay our way as social beings.” Explain.
Ans: The statement means that simple expressions like “please” and “thank you” may seem small, but they play a very important role in social life. These words show respect and appreciation for the services or help we receive from others.
According to Alfred George Gardiner, such small acts of courtesy help maintain harmony in society. They make interactions pleasant and reduce conflict between people. Just as small coins help in everyday transactions, these polite words help people maintain smooth and respectful relationships in daily life.
2. Describe the incident in the bus involving the bus conductor and the author.
Ans: One day, the author boarded a bus and realized that he had forgotten to bring his money. He felt embarrassed and feared that the conductor might think he was dishonest. However, the conductor behaved kindly and gave him a ticket, trusting that he would pay the fare later.
Later, the conductor accidentally stepped on the author’s toe while moving through the bus. He immediately apologized sincerely. The author was impressed by the conductor’s cheerful and polite nature. This experience showed him how courtesy and kindness can influence people and create a friendly atmosphere in society.