#213: Magical Words

Many years ago I was one of the country's first domestic airline stewards before the advent of the term Flight Attendant.

One day Leonard Nimoy, the half-Vulcan, half-human Spock on the original Star Trek series was a passenger, the most polite of any celebrity or non-celebrity passenger I served in my years in the airline industry.

Every one of Mr.Nimoy's requests was formed around, "If it's not too much trouble..." or "When it's convenient..." or "If you wouldn't mind..." and always ended with a thank you.

Having such a gentleman on board was a huge treat because of the politeness he showed the flight crew.

I got thinking of him today when I had a slight problem with a business and finally was able to contact a manager who said one of my most favorite phrases: "I'll take care of it."

To me, saying that shows responsibility, trust, faith and a "can do/will do" attitude that is greatly appreciated.

Of course, "May I help you with that?" is a close second. But so is "Please," "Thank you," "May I..."

It takes so little effort to be polite, to others as well as to ourselves. We needn't condemn ourselves when we blunder but should simply say, "OK, you screwed that up, now let's fix it and move on," rather than, "Boy, that was stupid. What an idiot you are."

Respect and good manners often appear to be invisible, but as Leonard Nimoy showed, such politeness is frequently recalled, even several decades later.

What phrases seem to melt your heart or turn away your ire? What phrases make you happy or buoy your spirits when you hear them?