Lighthearted: Please-ing isn’t pleasing

Have you ever received a message overloaded with the word "please"? How did it make you feel? Did you feel respected, irritated, or mocked? If you haven't experienced this, that's okay. But consider how you'd react to a message like this:

“Please, good morning. Can you please finish the report by the close of the day and forward it to Mrs Erzuah, please? Please make sure you cross-check the figures to ensure that they are the ones we discussed with the planning team, please. Please remember it is very important. Thank you, please.”

Using "please" in every sentence feels clunky and overwhelming. It can be exhausting to read.

While using "please" shows good manners, overusing it can be just as bad as not using it at all. Excessive use may seem insincere. It might give the impression that you're trying too hard to please others.

When "please" is used for every request, it becomes mechanical rather than sincere. This can also convey a lack of confidence and assertiveness. If you're too polite, people may not see you as a decisive leader.

Why do we say "please" when greeting someone? We don’t say “please” before happy birthday or Merry Christmas. So why add it to other greetings?

Too much of anything isn't good, including overusing "please." It takes away from its genuine meaning.

Use "please" appropriately to express sincerity in your communication. Be true to yourself and let your politeness be genuine.

Let’s revise that overly polite message:

“Good morning, Abrima. Could you finish the report by the end of the day and forward it to Mrs Erzuah? It's urgent. Please cross-check the figures we discussed with the planning team. Thanks a lot!”

This version is clearer and more direct. You can create your own version too! Before sending an email, read it again to ensure it's authentic.

Have a great day!