Dear Dr. Manners,
My close friend seldom. Says "please". She will say "Can you get me that bag?" or "Move it over here!" I have told her a lot of times that it is polite to use "please" and "thank you"; but she hardly remembers. I feel that she is ordering me around without "please", and I always get annoyed.
We have been close friends for over 10 years. It seems that I can't stand it any more. What should I do? Can you help me?
Sincerely, Linda Dear Linda,
When your friend does not use polite words, it seems that she is ordering you to do something. So you have every right to hate her behaviors.
Ask her why she doesn't use "please" and "thank you". Explain to her that it makes you uncomfortable. Also, you don't want to do anything for her because she doesn't seem kind or pleasant when she asks you to.
Your friend was probably never taught how to use "please" and "thank you" in normal conversation. So you can try to teach her that. Remember that it is difficult to find another close friend if you lose one.
Yours,
Dr. Manners