I HAVE been speaking, listening and living in the UK for a long time, so I have gained experience which helps me to compare my own language, which is Arabic, with English.

“Please” is a common word in this country; nobody can end a day without having used this word. By way of illustration, I have heard someone say, “Can I get a cup of coffee, please?” and “How much is that, please?”. Please is used here to get something so simple.

As an Arabic person, this makes me ask: “Do the English mean please in the same way as Arabic speakers?”. Because in Arabic, “please” is a huge word. If I say to someone, “Help me, please!”, I have swallowed my pride and I lose some of my dignity. It is used only in emergencies, for example: war, someone is about to be killed, etc.

This word could have the same basic meaning in Arabic, but it does not have the same meaning culturally. Therefore forgive Arabic speakers and remember that please is not the same for us so we will probably not use it; we do not mean to be impolite.

Dhari Jabir Ali, c/o English Language Centre, New Street, York.