Saying "Please" Outside Cincinnati (high school, live in, bus)

[Former Zino's Employee]

Does anyone have stories of saying "Please" instead of "pardon me" outside of Cincinnati?
It's one Cincinnati trait I regret losing. People don't even say pardon me or excuse me anymore. Hearing "huh" drives me nuts! If I say please I'm the nut.

Anyway, I began losing the term at Air Force basic training at Lackland AFB, San Antonio, TX. Going through the chow hall line I'd ask what something was; the serving women would either mumble or I didn't understand the Texas and/or Spanish accent. Saying "please" would result with a splat of the mystery item on my tray.

Also one day as we sat in the Day Room while the T.I. inspected our areas we heard him screaming as he tore apart someone's bunk and locker for minor infractions. We gave a nervous laugh saying that someone was about to get their butt kicked knowing it could just as easily be us being that person.
He screamed my name. (Oh crap) I snapped to attention and gave the reporting statement.
From the bay room I could hear him screaming obsencities followed with a question that I didn't hear.
Do I need to say that I responded with "Sir! Please?!"

By the sound of click, click, click of the heel taps he was coming fast and mean.
He stopped at my nose, his head looking like it was ready to explode, paused, and asked me where I was from.
"Sir, Cincinnati."
It must have hit him that the flight was all from MI and OH. He must have been familiar with the meaning.
He asked (screamed), "So you said please because you didn't hear me?"
"Yes, Sir."
"You wanted me to repeat it?"
"Yes, sir."
He backed off. (Still mad as hell)
Finding out later what I said "please" to, I could see why he was so mad. He had asked if I wanted to scrub the latrines with my toothbrush only to hear some young punk yell back "Please!"



Like I said, not the most humorous stories but I'd like to hear yours.

[Joe 4520832257]

With no disrespect intended, it's a bad idea to use "please" as a substitute for "excuse me" or "pardon me." It's non-standard English, and well over 95% of the country will think you are crazy if you use it.

I really enjoyed your two stories though. I think they are actually great examples of why "please" is such a bad expression to use. If a person is unfamiliar with the implied meaning, hearing the response of "please" will not only be nonsensical, but often convey a meaning you don't want!

In the South, people say "do what?" for the same thing. It's considered laughably backward and provincial - something only uneducated people would say. I hope native Cincinnatian's understand that "please" is treated with the same disdain and contempt as "do what?" or any other provincial expression.

Anyway, I don't want to hijack the thread, but that's my two cents. I look forward to reading any other stories. (My only story isn't very interesting. It just involves someone else saying "please?" and me staring because I thought they were insane, and them thinking I was insane for not understanding them.)

[Bigbluelandrover]

I had to wean myself off of that saying before I moved away. Now I never think to say it but my sister always says it...and it grates my nerves!.

[aquila]

I still live in the Cincinnati metro, but abandoned "Please" a long time ago. Now I say "excuse me?" or "I beg you pardon?". That whole "please" thing always seemed weird to me, even as a native.

[The Don]

Actually, I think the whole "please" thing has already died out. When I was in grade school, we were told it was polite to say please when we needed someone to repeat what he said. I am pretty sure that is no longer being done.
I can't remember when/where I last heard "please".

[goyguy]

It's not dead, but it's headed there. The only Cincinnatians I hear using it are middle-aged or older. The same holds true for "Ah declayah (I declare)" down South. But just when you think regional terms and expressions are fading into obscurity, along comes the superlative adjective "wicked." Kids in New England have been using it for decades. Now it's jumped geographic boundaries and you see and hear it all the time wherever you are. ("There's a wicked big wildfire near Myrtle Beach," "My English teacher's wicked mean," etc.)

[Cincy-Rise]

I kind of like these little quirky linguistics. You certainly don't see these in every city, as a matter of fact, I'd say most. It's what keeps our area interesting. If someone doesn't know what you mean, tell them.

[buckeyenative01]

I think my great-grandmother (emigrated to Cincinnati from Germany in 1928) was the only person I'd ever heard use the phrase "Please?"

Don't recall anyone my age, or my parents' age using that when I was in school in Cincinnati.

[Cincy-Rise]

Originally Posted by buckeyenative01

I think my great-grandmother (emigrated to Cincinnati from Germany in 1928) was the only person I'd ever heard use the phrase "Please?"

Don't recall anyone my age, or my parents' age using that when I was in school in Cincinnati.

My dad says it all of the time! Grew up in Delhi.

[mike1003]

I was in Lichtenstein on a bus tour several years ago (the bus and train tour of Switzerland was incredible....I would never do it again. I don't like to be told to be in lobby at 6AM or spending time with people who offended me for 10 days. But, I digress)

We were in Lichtenstein and they have a very interesting way of making money. Charging (I think 5) Swiss Francs to get your passport stampped. Didn't have to do it, but what the Hell, I was there and wanted the stamp.

I said something to the guy at the custom's office and he replied "please" I said you are from Cincinnati, aren't you? He said that he lived here from high school through graduating with his Masters from either UC or X. His father was a professor.

We talked a while...Long enough for the rest of the line to get pissed. He still charged me