2026: The Quiet Power of “Please” and “Thank You”

In an age where demands are made loudly and patience wears thin, two simple words have quietly slipped out of everyday use: please and thank you. They are small, almost invisible gestures, yet their absence says far more about us than we may care to admit.

Saying “please” when we ask for something and “thank you” when it is given does more than reflect good manners. It gently dismantles the entitled ego—the assumption that the world owes us compliance, service, or reward simply because we exist. When we stop using these words, requests turn into commands, and gratitude is replaced by expectation.

I grew up learning the importance of these two words as a young lad. They were not optional add-ons to speech; they were fundamentals. My mother taught us that saying “please” acknowledged another person’s choice, and saying “thank you” recognized their effort. More importantly, she taught us to mean them. That lesson stayed with me, shaping how I deal with people in my day-to-day life.

Entitlement thrives when appreciation disappears. We see it everywhere today—people demanding rather than asking, taking rather than receiving, and assuming rather than acknowledging. Service is expected, help is presumed, and effort is often ignored. The result is a society bogged down by inflated egos and shrinking empathy.

Consider something as ordinary as dining at a restaurant. How many of us say “please” when ordering our food? How many sincerely thank the waiter who brings it to the table? These are people who spend hours on their feet, navigating stress and demands, yet they are often treated as if courtesy is unnecessary because service is “their job.” But a job does not cancel humanity. A simple “thank you” reminds both parties that respect still exists.

The same applies in our workplaces and daily interactions. How often do we thank a colleague for their time, their effort, or their support? How often do we soften a request with a “please,” rather than issuing it as an instruction? These words cost us nothing, yet they yield dignity, humility, and connection.

“Please” humbles us by reminding us that we are asking, not commanding. “Thank you” grounds us by acknowledging that something was given, not owed. Together, they keep our egos in check and our humanity intact.

Perhaps the erosion of these simple courtesies explains, in part, why society feels more abrasive and less compassionate. The solution does not require grand reforms or loud declarations—just a conscious return to basic decency.

So, the next time you ask for something, pause and say “please.” When you receive it, don’t forget “thank you.” These small words may not change the world overnight, but they will certainly change the way we move through it—and the way others experience us along the way.

Perhaps in 2026, we can all make a conscious effort to bring “please” and “thank you” back into our daily conversations. We might be surprised at how differently people react when we ask for help with humility, and how willingly help is extended when gratitude is expressed. Sometimes, it is these smallest changes in our words that create the biggest shifts in our relationships and in the tone of the world around us.

Just as we step into the New Year, we are literally preparing for Chinese New Year, which falls on February 17, and almost immediately within days, our Muslim brothers and sisters will begin observing the holy month of Ramadan. It certainly feels like 2026 will have us galloping at full speed, much like the Fire Horse itself, making it all the timelier to slow down, reflect, and lead our interactions with humility, courtesy, and respect.

Festivities aside, Subang Jaya has much catching up to do when it comes to day-to-day initiatives, unresolved issues, and persistent problems that demand attention. The last two years have left our city yearning for progressive—not regressive—change. Glossy reports often highlight what has been “achieved,” but unlike the report cards from my school days, they rarely reflect what has fallen short. Back then, my As in English and Bahasa Malaysia sat alongside Mathematics and Science marks written boldly in red with the word “FAIL.” Those honest report cards mattered because they showed where improvement was needed. Perhaps our city, too, needs that same level of candour if we are truly serious about moving forward.

HAPPY NEW YEAR SUBANG JAYA!