Rabbi's Corner

Message from the Rabbi

Remember Your “P’s” and “Q’s
"Let me, please, cross over and see the good land on the other side of the Jordan, that good hill country, and the Lebanon.” (Deut, 3:25)

The origin of “Remember your p’s and q’s” comes from teaching a child to be careful when writing to make sure to be careful in the differences between a “p” and a “q” as they are so similar.  Another theory is it came from bartenders when serving people beer who were getting a little tipsy.  He was reminding about the difference between pints and quarts of beer.   We have come to use the term in reminding people to mind their manners. That os why I thought the “p” stood for “please.”   

I would say this to my kids when they went to a friend's house because I wanted them to behave properly. I would tell them to make sure they said please and thank you at the appropriate time. 

This one word can be the difference between a request and order.  No matter our position in life, common courtesy can be achieved with one word.  Whether you are the boss, or the patron in a restaurant, the word “please” can go  long way for how we treat others and what their response is going to be. It changes our attitude and theirs.  So please remember your “p’s” and “q’s."