Twitter user Mike Townsend decided to share what was in his eyes, an embarrassing mistake. While ordering his morning coffee, he said "please" both at the start and the end of his order, something that he felt made him seem "pathetic."
Accidentally said "please" twice when ordering a coffee earlier. "Please can I have an oat flat white please". Oh please make me a hot caffeinated beverage I will be ever so grateful. Please love me and look after me. How pathetic.
— Mike Townsend (@townsendyesmate) December 6, 2022
His Tweet blew up, and plenty of users flooded the comments to show him support, and to share some of their own funny experiences with the phrases "please and "thank you." The story also opens up a discussion about how we use those words, and what they really mean.
It would seem that the overuse of the word is a common occurrence, and some people can't stop themselves from letting 'please' fly.
I’m the same, “I’m sorry, hi, could I please possibly get a coffee, if that’s alright? Thank you” the fact I’ve actually said that and then when they give it to me I’m like “wow that’s fantastic, thank you so much” like it’s JUST a coffee. I want to slap myself LOL
— Katana 刀 (@KurlyKatana) December 7, 2022
I said thanks after they scanned, after I payed, when they gave it to me, and when I walked out the door once while buying a bar of chocolate. I was so embarrassed I couldn’t even eat it so I gave it to my brother
— Ghostie~ (@GoodwithGhostie) December 7, 2022
Every fucking email “Thanks Amy. I’ll circle back tomorrow. Thanks.”
— Pat Benator Sanders (@activeongrindr) December 7, 2022
saying “please” twice is just reinforcing how much it’s needed, before coffee my brain doesn’t work properly lol
— (@Iamvmattos) December 7, 2022
painfully pathetic is the “enjoy your coffee” “you too” exchange
Some people harbor a similar sentiment to Mike, feeling like the double use is a bit much in a standard service industry setting.
please will you make me my glorified $6 juice every morning so i feel like i have some structure or routine in my life ❤️
— mia “most dope” thode (@miajthode) December 7, 2022
That’s extreme‼️ ..But what is an oat white flat!? It really bothers Me when People Become trained to call food like they work at the place when ordering.. We get it,, This is Your fav place to eat.. I Think Waffle House has made Me this way..
— Godd Karter (@GoddKarter) December 7, 2022
You ordering a coffee pic.twitter.com/BGa9HM59tb
— Tom Usher (@tom_usher_) December 7, 2022
The vast majority of comments were in support of Mike, with customers and servers alike feeling like there's nothing wrong with a little extra kindness.
You’re bringing up the average to compensate for the rude gits who never say it at all. I’m sure the barista appreciated it
— Dr Helen Hammond (@HelsHammond) December 7, 2022
As a former coffee shop employee, I guarantee you that they both remember this *fondly* and deeply appreciated it. We rarely ever heard please and yes, we're being paid, but a little politeness never hurt anyone, you know?
— Uncommon Tart (@UncommonTart) December 7, 2022
And no matter how Mike felt, some people had far more embarrassing experiences than him.
When studying abroad in Italy I started saying “ti prego” instead of “per favore” for please. Saw it on a sign ♂️
— joshlebo (@joshlebo) December 7, 2022
One day my Italian teacher heard me and started cracking up. It’s like I was saying, “can I have a coffee for the love of God”
I invited someone to my wedding with a please. Am still mortified a year later. They still didn't show up though.
— Manalika Borgohain | बॉर्गोहाइन् (@manaliatshimla) December 7, 2022
It seems people's impulses to overuse "please" and "thank you" come from a place of wanting to convey kindness and support. Working in service is hard, and many people want to show their servers that they appreciate the work they do, especially if they've worked in the industry themselves. And with so many bad customers and Karens out there, people just want to make a good impression and show that they're one of the good ones.
something about me is I have to be the best customer. I need an A+ in customer. I want to believe that after I walk out the employees are like wow she has clearly worked in customer service and they smile and nod to each other
— danielle weisberg (@danielleweisber) September 23, 2022
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