h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

When I was younger my mother always told that you catch more flies with sugar than vinegar, she was right. Part of my job involves dealing with people under pressure both suppliers and clients. If an item doesn't turn up on time and I have to chase a supplier I get far further with them if I say please at the beginning and thank them for their efforts afterwards, also you tend to be remembered as a nice person which makes them more inclined to help you at a later date.

The other advantage of being polite is that when you do lose your temper or start getting stroppy then it far more effective than going in all guns blasing.

It does sound a rather manuplative however it does make a potentially stressful situation pleasanter. I would like to point that I try and be polite to people in situations when I not after something as well!!

I absolutly agree.

And being un-necesasarily rude to some un-suspecting person just because they caught me at the wrong moment leaves me feeling dreadful, and only compounds whatever the problem was in the first place.
I'm often surprised at how upset I can be over some person who has been rude or inconsiderate in a small way, like letting a door swing closed when your walking right behind them, or or assuming that if your making an EFFORT to open a door while pushing buggy, then you obviously don't need any help.

you are so right a little bit of considerations goes a long way.

One of the things that annoys me is men refusing to give up their seat for women and then claiming that is the price of equality. Fair enough if the women is fit and healthy but when she is heavily pregnant, or struggling with bags and a kid! Come on this isn't equality we're talking about its consideration for others!

OK I will come off my high horse now...