The Magic of “Please” and “Thank You”

Let’s Start with the Truth

We live in a world where everyone’s in a rush — and respect gets lost somewhere between text bubbles and earbuds.

But in all my years of running businesses and living life, I’ve learned this: manners never go out of style.

They’re quiet power moves that can carry someone through life. They make people feel seen — and when people feel seen, they want to help you win.

A few weeks ago, during parent-teacher meetings, both of my sons’ teachers told us the same thing: “Your boys are some of the most well-mannered kids we’ve ever had.”

My wife and I just looked at each other and laughed. Because at home? Those same kids are wrestling on the couch, arguing about who touched whose toy cars, and conveniently forgetting how to say “please” when they want another snack.

But that moment reminded me why teaching good manners is still worth the effort — because even if it doesn’t always show up at home, it shows up when it matters most.

It sounds simple, but it’s the foundation of leadership, teamwork, and every great career I’ve ever seen.

Soft Skill Spotlight (For Teens)

“The Magic of ‘Please’ and ‘Thank You’ — Why Manners Still Matter”

One of my first jobs as a kid was at a full-service restaurant, working as a host. There was a dishwasher there named Miguel — one of the hardest-working guys I’d ever met. He barely spoke English at the time, but every time someone asked him for help, he’d nod and say, “Yes please, thank you, my friend.”

He was one of the first co-workers to ever befriend me, and everyone there loved him. He made people feel respected.

I was still in high school then, only working maybe 15–20 hours a week. But by the end of that year, Miguel wasn’t washing dishes anymore — he was managing the entire kitchen.

Here’s what that taught me at a young age: skills get you in the door, manners get you remembered.

Try this:

1. Say please even when you don’t have to. It’s not about the words — it’s about tone and humility.
   

2. Say thank you for everything, even for feedback that stings. Gratitude disarms people.
   

3. Don’t interrupt. Listen, nod, and then respond. We’ll cover this in another newsletter but being a good listener is one of the rarest soft skills there is.
   

4. Use names. REMEMBER NAMES! “Thank you, Mrs. Johnson.” “I appreciate that, Mark.” It makes people feel respected.

These small moves make you magnetic. They turn customers into fans, bosses into mentors, and jobs into opportunities.

Parent Prep Corner

“Teaching Workplace Etiquette Through Everyday Moments”

Parents — this one’s easy to model, but almost impossible to fake.
Kids are watching us all the time. It’s how they learn almost everything — how we talk to servers, cashiers, teachers, neighbors. They’re absorbing how we treat people, even when we think they’re not paying attention.

Here’s something I try to do with my own boys every time we go out to eat:
If we’re at a restaurant, they order their food — not me. They have to look the server in the eye, say “please,” and say “thank you” every single time they ask for or get something.

And if we’re in a drive-thru and they mumble it? We have them try again. Not because we’re strict, but because respect is a habit — one that starts small and sticks for life.

You can practice this anywhere:

• Dinner tables.

• Grocery stores.

• Family chores.

• Everyday moments that seem ordinary but actually shape who our kids become.

The goal isn’t perfection — it’s practice. Every “please” and “thank you” is another quiet rep toward confidence and character. And everytime they do this they’re not just being polite — they’re learning the rhythm of respect. And that rhythm follows them everywhere they go.

Story from the Road

When I was 27 and running one of my own restaurants.
There was this supplier who kept messing up our orders — wrong boxes, late deliveries, missing half the stuff we needed. It was driving me nuts.

One night, after another major mistake and a delivery that was nine hours late, I was ready to lose it. I was young, impatient, and too quick to let frustration run the show. But something in me said, slow down.

So instead of unloading on the guy, I just said, “Hey man, I know you’ve had a long day. I just need to figure this out. These things can’t keep happening and I would really appreciate your help.” We ended up talking for a while and he told me how short staffed and over worked they had all been lately. We connected on that call and I totally empathized with him.

The next week, he showed up in person at 6 a.m. with my order, plus coffee and donuts for my crew.

That’s when it clicked in me: manners aren’t a weakness — they’re the leverage you can use every day in any moment. They turn tension into trust. And you’ll get a lot farther in life with kindness than with cleverness.

App Pulse

We’re in the middle of building a new website that should hopefully be live in the next couple of weeks — a true hub for everything MyFirstJob. It’ll bring together our lessons, stories, app tools, and resources all in one place.

Since launching the app back in May, we’ve started hearing from students who’ve used it. One teen told us the soft-skill lessons are her favorite part — they help her feel more confident in interviews. Another said the resume builder made applying for jobs “way less scary” and helped him land his first interview at a coffee shop.

We’re still early. We don’t have a ton of users yet, and we don’t have employers listing jobs inside the app — yet. But the feedback we’re getting proves we’re building something that matters and we’re really excited about that.

If you’ve used the app, I’d love your thoughts. What worked? What needs fixing?
If you haven’t tried it yet, go build your first resume today — it takes five minutes and it’s free: 👉 app.myfirstjob.com

And if you’re an employer who believes in giving first-time job seekers a chance, sign up and try out or reach out anytime. We’re starting to line up partnerships, and you could be one of the first to help shape what this whole thing becomes.

We’re not where we want to be yet — but we’re moving in the right direction.

A Note From Me

If you’ve been reading since Week One, you’ve probably picked up on a theme — I don’t think soft skills are “extras.” They’re the heartbeat of who we become.

Manners might sound small, but they’re how we show people we care. I’ve seen incredibly talented people crash because they couldn’t handle feedback or say thank you. And I’ve seen quiet, average kids become leaders simply because they treated people with respect.

I’m still learning, too. Some days I’m patient, other days I’m not. But I’ve learned that how we treat people — especially when we’re tired, busy, or frustrated — says more about us than any job title ever will.

So this week, just slow down. Hold a door. Look someone in the eye. Say please. Say thank you. Mean it.

Those little things echo farther than you think.

And if you ever need help — whether it’s writing a resume, prepping for an interview, or just figuring out how to talk to your kid about work — reach out. This is what I love doing.

We’re all figuring this out together.

Keep showing up.
Keep learning.
Keep saying thank you.

— Josh
Founder MyFirstJob