143. AltE HS1stYr- On Saying Please (29)

1. Write a summary of the essay.

A:- The essay "On Saying Please" by A.G. Gardiner discusses the importance of being polite. The author argues that politeness is an age-old tradition that is essential for a well-functioning society. He says that politeness is not just about being courteous, but also about being kind and considerate to others. Gardiner also argues that politeness is contagious and that being polite can make others more polite in return.

The author begins the essay by telling the story of a liftman who threw a passenger out of the lift because the passenger didn't say "please." Gardiner argues that the liftman's behavior was rude and uncalled for. He says that bad behavior should not be condoned, even if it is not illegal.

Gardiner then goes on to discuss the importance of politeness in society. He says that politeness helps to smooth out the rough edges of everyday interactions. It also helps to build relationships and create a sense of community.

The author then tells the story of a bus conductor who was very polite to him, even though Gardiner didn't have any money to pay the fare. Gardiner says that the conductor's politeness made a deep impression on him. He also says that the conductor's example shows how politeness can be contagious. Gardiner concludes the essay by arguing that politeness is essential for a well-functioning society. He says that we should all strive to be polite, even in the face of rudeness. He also says that the best way to deal with rude people is to be excessively polite to them.

In simple words, the essay argues that politeness is important because it makes our interactions with others smoother, helps to build relationships, and creates a sense of community. The author also argues that politeness is contagious and that being polite can make others more polite in return.

2. Where was Alfred G Gardiner born?

Ans: Essex, England.

3. Is discourtesy a legal offense?

Ans: No.

4. Which literary period did John Keats belong to?

Ans: The Romantic Period.

5. What effect has the war had on the niceties and civilities of life?

Ans: Chilling effect

6. Whom does Gardiner 'feature' in his essay as a perfect example of polite social behaviour?

Ans: The bus conductor.

7. 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 his lift because the passenger refused to say "please".

8. What does the law say with regard to 'discourtesy'?

Ans: Discourtesy is not a legal offense, and it does not excuse assault and battery.

9. What would happen if we were at liberty to physically assault someone just because any aspect of his demeanour is unacceptable to us?

Ans: Gardiner is saying that if we were allowed to physically assault someone just because we didn't like their behavior, then we would be constantly fighting. This would lead to a lot of violence and bloodshed.

10. What is the penalty for a person for being uncivil?

Ans: There is no legal penalty for a person being uncivil and the only penalty, according to Gardiner, is to be labelled an ill-mannered fellow.

11. What happened to Gardiner one day when he sat reading on the top of a bus? 

Ans: Gardiner's most sensitive toe was trampled upon very heavily one day when he sat reading on the top of a bus.

12. How does a "pain of a wound to our self-respect" linger on?

Ans: Physical pain is caused by an injury to the body. It is a sharp, immediate pain that usually goes away once the injury heals.

The pain of a wound to our self-respect is not as immediate as physical pain. It can linger for days, weeks, or even months. This is because we keep revisiting the event in our heads, over and over again. We think about what we could have done differently, and we blame ourselves for the pain we are feeling.

13. What kind of victory is preferable? How would the lift-man have scored a more effective victory?

Ans: Gardiner says that it is better to win a moral victory over your own anger than to win a material victory over someone else. The lift man would have won a more effective victory if he had treated the rude gentleman with elaborate politeness, even though the gentleman did not say "please." The lift man would have won a victory not only over the boor, but also over himself, and that is the victory that matters most. The polite man may lose the material advantage, but he always has the spiritual victory.

14. What prompts Gardiner to heap praises on the bus- conductor?

Ans: Gardiner was once in a difficult situation because he had forgotten his bus fare. He was worried that he would look foolish or dishonest, but the conductor was very kind and understanding. The conductor did not make a fuss about Gardiner not having the fare, and he even offered him a free ticket. Gardiner was so grateful for the conductor's politeness and graciousness that he remembers it to this day.

15." Please and thank you are the small change with which we pay our way as social beings". Explain.

Ans: Gardiner says that while there is no law that compels us to say "please," there is a social practice that is much older and more sacred than any law. This practice is the acknowledgment of service. When we say "please" and "thank you," we are acknowledging the service that someone has done for us. These small courtesies are the "small change" that we pay our way as social beings. They keep the machine of life running smoothly and help us to interact with each other in a friendly and cooperative way.

Gardiner argues that politeness is an extremely important and indispensable feature of civil society. It is what keeps the social life of civilized man well-oiled and friction-free. When we are polite, we are showing respect for others and for ourselves. We are also creating a more harmonious and pleasant environment for everyone.

16. Write in your own words, the incident in the bus involving the bus conductor and the author.

Ans: Gardiner once got on a bus without any money in his pocket. He was worried that he would look foolish or dishonest, but the conductor was very kind and understanding. The conductor offered to give Gardiner a ticket to wherever he wanted to go, and he even said that Gardiner could pay him when he saw him next.

Gardiner was very grateful for the conductor's kindness, and he learned a valuable lesson about the importance of being polite and gracious, even in difficult situations. He also learned that there are still kind and understanding people in the world.

17. Why was the passenger hurled out of the lift?

Ans. The passenger asked the liftman rudely to carry him to the top and the offended liftman hurled the passenger out of the lift.

18. How could the liftman restore his equilibrium?

Ans. Feeling insulted by the ill-mannered passenger, the liftman visited his anger on his wife to restore his equilibrium.

19. Describe the vicious circle that possibly led to the liftman’s outburst?

Ans. Bad manners generally from a vicious circle; the liftman felt hurt by the rudeness of the passenger who expressed his rudeness to his employer who had been scolded by his wife.

20. What is the first requirement of civility?

Ans. The first requirement is that we should acknowledge a service.

21. What serves as ‘Little Courtesies’ in our daily life?

Ans. Words like ‘Please’ and ‘Thank you’ are the little courtesies in our daily life.

22. What does a conductor in the bus generally think about the passengers?

Ans. Most conductors behave well though some of them regard the passengers as their natural enemies.

23. Why was the narrator annoyed at himself in the bus?

Ans. He was annoyed because he had boarded the bus without having any money in his pocket.

24. Describe the glow of pleasure that the narrator experienced?

Ans. The Narrator experienced this at the willingness of the conductor in giving him the bus ticket without money.

25. What were the good qualities of the conductor?

Ans. He was cheerful and polite, helpful to passengers, and well-mannered.

26. How could have the liftman avoided the trouble?

Ans. He could have avoided it by being very polite.

27. Write in your own words the theme of the chapter ‘On Saying Please’?

Ans. This essay tells us about the value of good manners. Bad manner are not a legal crime. But a man with bad manners is disliked by everybody. Words like ‘Please’ and ‘Thank you’ help us in making our passage through life smooth. The law does not permit us to hit back if we are the victims of bad manners. Bad manners create a chain reaction. A good mannered person will find that his work becomes easier by the ready co-operation of others.

28. Describe the narrator’s encounter with the bus conductor?

Ans. One day the writer boarded a bus. He found that he had no money in his pocket. He told the conductor that he had no money. He wanted to go back for the money. To his surprise, the conductor told him that he did not need to go back for money. He gave the writer a ticket without demanding the fare. The writer asked the conductor where he should send the fare. The conductor told the writer that he would see him on the route someday. In the meantime, he found a shilling in his pocket and the account was settled. The conductor’s behaviour left a very good impression on the writer.

29. Draw a brief character-sketch of the bus conductor in your own words?

Ans. The bus conductor was a very cheerful and good-natured man. He kept his passengers comfortable. He was very helpful to his passengers. With elderly passengers, he was like a respectful son. With children, he was like a loving father. He cracked jokes with young persons. He took special care of the blind and handicapped people. He was gentle and soft spoken. Once he gladly agreed to give the writer the bus ticket and charged from him the fare latter. Once he trampled the writer’s toe which caused him great pain. He apologised to him. Travelling in his bus was like getting a lesson in good manner.