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“Can you please summarize this article for me?” I typed, as I always did. It was a habit. A small, polite gesture. But one day, I decided to stop. Just to see what would happen.
“Summarize this article.”
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It felt strange at first. Like I had just snapped my fingers at a waiter instead of asking kindly. But ChatGPT didn’t seem to mind. The response was just as fast, just as detailed. It made no difference to the AI. But what about me?
I had started a small experiment without realizing it. And what I learned surprised me.
Why I Stopped Saying “Please”
I have always been polite. Saying “please” and “thank you” came naturally. Even when talking to a machine, I found myself typing full, polite sentences:
- “Can you please generate a list of blog topics?”
- “Could you explain this in simple words, please?”
- “Thank you for your help!”
But one day, I read a discussion online. Some people argued that using “please” with AI was unnecessary. It was just a machine, after all. Others believed that being polite to AI helped keep human interactions polite too.
Curious, I decided to test it. For one week, I would stop saying “please” and “thank you” to ChatGPT. No extra words. Just straight commands.
The First Few Days – Feeling Strange
At first, it felt weird. Almost rude. Typing “Write an introduction” instead of “Can you please write an introduction?” made me hesitate. It felt like I was ordering the AI around instead of making a request.
But ChatGPT didn’t react differently. The responses were the same. It didn’t care whether I was polite or not. It just did its job.
After a while, I got used to it. My requests became shorter, more direct. And I noticed something interesting—things felt faster.
The Unexpected Benefit – More Efficiency
Without extra words, my interactions became quicker. Instead of typing long sentences, I just wrote what I needed:
- “Find synonyms for ‘innovative.’”
- “Explain photosynthesis in simple terms.”
- “Give me 10 blog title ideas.”
It saved time. It felt more productive. I was typing less, but getting the same results.
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I also noticed how much filler language I used before. Words like “please,” “could you,” and “would you mind” were polite, but unnecessary for AI. Without them, my commands were clearer.
For tasks like brainstorming or research, this worked well. I could get more done in less time. But something else started happening.
The Downside – A Change in My Tone
After a few days, I noticed something unexpected. My emails, messages, and even real conversations started changing.
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I was getting straight to the point, even with people. My emails became shorter. My texts sounded more abrupt. I wasn’t being rude, but I was being… less warm.
Instead of:
“Hey, could you send me the report when you get a chance? Thanks!”
I found myself writing:
“Send me the report.”
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It was efficient. But it felt cold. Like I was losing the habit of kindness.
Does Politeness Matter with AI?
At this point, I had a realization. Saying “please” to ChatGPT didn’t change how it responded. But it changed me.
Being polite to AI wasn’t about the AI—it was about keeping kindness in my daily habits. If I got used to skipping small gestures of politeness with AI, would I start skipping them with people too?
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Some experts believe that our interactions with AI can shape our behavior. If we treat AI like a tool, we might start treating people the same way. But if we practice politeness, even with machines, it reinforces good habits.
The Final Decision – A Balance
By the end of the week, I had learned something important. Efficiency was good, but kindness mattered too. So I found a middle ground.
Now, I don’t always say “please” when I’m working fast. But when I have time, I do. It keeps my tone softer. It reminds me to be mindful of how I communicate—not just with AI, but with people too.
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Because in the end, politeness isn’t just for others. It shapes the kind of person we become.
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