Țările în care oamenii nu spun „te rog”. De ce lipsa acestui cuvânt nu este considerată nepoliticoasă? • Newsweek România

In several European countries, the phrase "please" is absent from everyday conversations, yet this does not indicate a lack of politeness. Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Iceland, and Finland do not have a direct equivalent for "please". Instead, locals express politeness through different means, such as tone, gestures, or alternative phrases. Linguist James Puchowski notes that politeness is not solely reliant on specific words. In these cultures, direct communication is valued, and excessive politeness can be seen as unnecessary. The Scandinavian principle of equality discourages hierarchical language, promoting respect through behavior rather than formal expressions. For tourists, observing local communication styles is advised.