On Saying 'Please'(By A.G. Gardiner)
Alfred George Gardiner (1865–1946), who often wrote under the pen name "Alpha of the Plough," was a distinguished British journalist, editor, and essayist. Serving as the editor of the London Daily News for nearly two decades, he gained widespread acclaim for his light, humorous, and deeply insightful essays. Collections like Pebbles on the Shore and Leaves in the Wind showcase his signature style—using everyday human encounters and simple observations to deliver timeless lessons on moral responsibility, civility, and human nature.
"On Saying 'Please'" by A.G. Gardiner is a insightful essay that highlights the vital role of good manners and civility in daily social life. Gardiner explains that while the law can punish physical assault, it cannot compel people to be polite, as bad temper and rudeness fall outside legal boundaries. Contrasting an aggressive liftman who threw a rude passenger out of a lift with a remarkably cheerful bus conductor who spread kindness to everyone, the essay shows how rudeness poisons social atmosphere while politeness creates a positive chain reaction. Ultimately, Gardiner emphasizes that true civility must come from voluntary self-discipline and mutual respect rather than legal enforcement.
Ⅰ. Answer these questions in one or two words.
1. Where was Alfred G. Gardiner Born?
Ans: Alfred G. Gardiner was Born in 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- Romantic Period.
4. What effect has the war had on the niceties and civilities of life?
Ans-Diminished them.
5. Whom does Gardiner ‘feature’ in his essay as a perfect example of polite social behaviour?
As-A polite 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 lift-man threw the passenger out because the passenger refused to say "Top, please," and only demanded "Top," which offended the lift-man's self-respect.
2. What does the law say with regard to ‘discourtesy’?
Ans-The law does not recognize discourtesy as a punishable offense; it does not compel anyone to say "please" or enforce politeness.
3. What would happen if we were at liberty to physically assault someone just because any aspect of his demeanor is unacceptable to us?
Ans-If we were at liberty to assault people based on their demeanor, our city streets would constantly run with blood, and society would devolve into complete chaos where brute force rules.
4. What is the penalty for a person for being uncivil?
Ans-There is no legal penalty for being uncivil; the only penalty is that the world will consider the person ill-mannered or a boor.
5. What happened to Gardiner one day when he sat reading on the top of a bus?
Ans-Gardiner discovered that he had left home without any money in his pocket, leaving him unable to pay his fare to the conductor.
III. Answer these questions briefly.
1. How does a ‘pain of a wound to our self-respect’ linger on?
Ans-A wound to physical body heals quickly, but a wound to our self-respect or vanity lingers on because it poisons our mind and mood for a long time. The person humiliated often nurses the insult, feels resentful, and tends to pass that bad temper on to others throughout the day.
2.What kind of victory is preferable? How would the liftman have score a more effective victory?
Ans- A moral and spiritual victory is preferable to a physical one. The lift-man could have scored a far more effective victory by treating the rude passenger with elaborate politeness and politeness. By remaining polite, he would have retained his dignity, put the offender in the wrong, and achieved a subtle triumph that left the bad-mannered passenger feeling uncomfortable and defeated.
3. What prompts Gardiner to heap praises on the bus conductor?
Ans- Gardiner is prompted to praise the conductor because of his genuine kindness, cheerful disposition, and extraordinary patience. When Gardiner discovered he had no money to pay his bus fare, the conductor treated him with utmost courtesy and issued a ticket without making him feel embarrassed or suspicious. Gardiner then noticed that this wasn't an isolated gesture; the conductor consistently brought good humor, helpfulness, and consideration to all his passengers—acting like a "good-natured sun" who brightened everyone's day.
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