Unlike any other morning, I actually had some time to sit and saver the experience. That said, I ordered my coffee as I normally do (grande with room for milk), added my natural sugar and milk, then made my way to a wonderful club chair in the corner. I was happy, happy, happy to relax and take it all in. "Life is good" I thought.

So image if you would, yours truly, Mar Jennings enjoying his well-deserved morning coffee when all of the sudden a couple bolted over, and she quickly sat in the chair to my left. Her husband immediately pointed to the open seat to my right and said, "Can you just move over one?" This surprised me, as there were plenty of other seats already together which could accommodate them, and secondly: How did he ask me? Did I really hear him say to me "move over?" I responded with a smile and said "Well, I'm leaving in less than a minute so I hope you can wait." Truth be told, I should have said "No problem, but only if you say "please".

Oh the magic word, but to know how magical let's review the definition:

PLEASE

–adverb
1. (used as a polite addition to requests, commands, etc.) if you would be so obliging; kindly: Please come here. Will you please turn the radio off?

–verb (used with object)
2. to act to the pleasure or satisfaction of: to please the public.
3. to be the pleasure or will of: May it please your Majesty.

–verb (used without object)
4. to like, wish, or feel inclined: Go where you please.
5. to give pleasure or satisfaction; be agreeable: manners that please.

—Idiom
6. if you please,
    a. if it be your pleasure; if you like or prefer.
    b. (used as an exclamation expressing astonishment, indignation, etc.): The missing letter was in his pocket, if you please!

Now that the meaning—and power—of the word is clear, this is my "Move Over Lesson 101", or as I'm referring to it, "One OH One!" Knowing that they were of the baby boomer generation, I was left to wonder if their life had been so crazy with sex, drugs, and rock & roll that he missed the simple lessons of saying please? I would hope not—and although I would have loved to have taught him the lessons of "Move Over 101" right there, I realized that it might be better in this article, because he isn't the only one who needs to be reminded of this.

I ask you, has society lost their manners, or is it just me that expects more in people? I'm sure you have experienced one time or another similar situations: one person and two seats available on either side of them, and asking them nicely to make room. "Please could I ask you to move over one?" followed by "we would greatly appreciate it." Then thanking them for being so flexible and accommodating. If so, you pass the lesson already; that's the right way to do it.

With that example the results are always great, as you probably end up talking to these people, even if briefly, and enjoy your drink or dinner even more. It seems to me that people already say please when this happens at a row of bar stools and they want to get people to move over one. So do Americans need to have a bar stool under their buttocks to remember how to ask someone to move over? I sincerely hope not.

So how did it end with my Starbuck's couple? You should know that when I did finally leave I offered my seat to him and only then did he say thank you. I replied "You're welcome; have a nice day."

My friends will tell you I can be very accommodating when asked politely, but I simply refuse to even consider moving over without a polite request and a please - unless it's for my miniature schnauzer in bed.

And there you have it.