List by Lynn Truss
they are older
they know more than you do
they know less than you do
they got here first
they have educational qualifications in the subject under discussion
you are in their house
they once helped you financially
they have been good to you all your life
they are less fortunate than you
they have achieved status in the wider world
you are serving them in a shop
they are in the right
they are your boss
they work for you
they are a policeman/teacher/doctor/judge
they are in need
they are doing you a favor
they paid for the tickets
you phoned them, not the other way around
they have a menial job
I love, love, love this list. Came across it while reading British author Lynne Truss’s book “Talk to the Hand.
From chapter five of her book:
“Respect and consideration are traditionally due to other people for all sorts of reasons, some big, some small. Here are twenty (mostly lapsed) reasons to show special politeness to other people that have nothing to do with [social hierarchy] class.”
Lynn has a great sense of humor. (She is British and it shows.) I’ve also read her book “Eats shoots and leaves” on punctuation and found it wonderful.