True class doesn’t come down to putting on airs or using fancy vocabulary to impress people.
In fact, those things are the exact opposite of class. The real deal is about choosing words that show respect, consideration, and genuine warmth towards other people. The way classy people speak reflects their values and makes everyone around them feel more comfortable and valued. These are some of the words the most refined and elegant among us include in their vocabulary regularly.
1. They say “please” even in casual situations.
You’ll hear them say, “Could you please pass the salt?” even at informal dinners, or “Would you please hold the lift?” instead of just barking commands. Their politeness isn’t stiff or formal; it flows naturally because they genuinely respect other people’s time and effort.
Start incorporating “please” into everyday requests, even with family members or close friends. It shows you don’t take anyone’s help for granted and creates a more pleasant atmosphere in all your interactions.
2. They use “thank you” frequently and specifically.
Instead of a quick “thanks,” they’ll say things like, “Thank you for taking the time to explain that” or “I really appreciate you thinking of me.” Their gratitude feels genuine because they’re specific about what they’re acknowledging.
Make your thank-yous more meaningful by mentioning what exactly you’re grateful for. It shows you’ve actually noticed and valued what someone did, rather than just going through the motions of politeness.
3. They say “excuse me” rather than pushing through.
Whether they need to get past someone in a crowded space or accidentally interrupt a conversation, they always acknowledge the disruption with a polite “excuse me.” They never act like other people should automatically move out of their way.
Use “excuse me” consistently when you need to interrupt, get someone’s attention, or move through spaces. It’s a simple way to show you recognise other people’s right to their space and attention.
4. They ask “How are you?” and actually listen to the answer.
When classy people ask about your wellbeing, they pause and make eye contact, genuinely interested in your response. They don’t just use it as a throwaway greeting while walking past or checking their phone.
Turn your greetings into real moments of connection by slowing down and showing genuine interest in people’s responses. That small change makes everyone feel seen and valued rather than dismissed.
5. They use “I apologise” for genuine mistakes.
When they’ve actually done something wrong, they offer sincere apologies without making excuses or minimising the impact. They don’t over-apologise for things that aren’t their fault, but they take responsibility when they’ve genuinely messed up.
Learn to distinguish between situations that require real apologies versus those where you’re just being overly apologetic. Save your apologies for times when you’ve actually caused harm or inconvenience.
6. They say “I’d be delighted” instead of just “yes.”
When accepting invitations or offers of help, they express genuine enthusiasm rather than grudging agreement. Phrases like “I’d be delighted to join you” or “That sounds wonderful” show they’re pleased to participate.
Upgrade your responses to invitations by showing appreciation for being included. It makes the person inviting you feel good about their choice and sets a positive tone for whatever you’re agreeing to do.
7. They use “pardon me” when they haven’t heard something.
Instead of “what?” or “huh?” they politely ask for clarification with phrases like “I’m sorry, could you repeat that?” or “Pardon me, I didn’t catch that.” They never make anyone feel bad for speaking quietly or unclearly.
Replace abrupt responses with gentler requests for repetition. It shows respect for the speaker and creates a more pleasant conversational flow, even in noisy or distracting environments.
8. They say, “I appreciate your perspective” during disagreements.
Even when they completely disagree with someone, they acknowledge the other person’s right to their opinion before presenting their own views. They never dismiss other viewpoints as stupid or worthless, even when they find them misguided.
Practice acknowledging other people’s viewpoints before sharing your own, especially during heated discussions. Doing so often leads to more productive conversations and shows maturity in how you handle conflict.
9. They use “I’d prefer” rather than “I don’t want.”
When expressing preferences or declining things, they frame it positively rather than negatively. Instead of “I don’t want to go there,” they might say, “I’d prefer somewhere quieter if that works for everyone.”
Reframe your preferences in positive language whenever possible. It feels more collaborative and less rejecting, making it easier for other people to accommodate your needs without feeling dismissed.
10. They say, “That’s interesting” when they disagree but don’t want to argue.
When someone shares an opinion they find questionable, they use neutral phrases that acknowledge the comment without endorsing it. It allows them to avoid conflict while not pretending to agree with everything.
Master the art of neutral responses for situations where disagreeing would be unproductive. Sometimes acknowledging someone’s contribution to a conversation is enough without having to validate opinions you don’t share.
11. They use “I wonder if you might” when making requests.
Instead of direct demands, they phrase requests as gentle suggestions that give the other person room to decline gracefully. Going about things in this way respects other people’s autonomy while still communicating their needs clearly.
Soften your requests by presenting them as possibilities rather than demands. It makes people more likely to help because they feel they have a choice rather than being pressured.
12. They say, “How thoughtful of you” when receiving compliments or gifts.
Rather than awkwardly deflecting praise or gifts, they graciously acknowledge the thought and effort behind them. They focus on appreciating the giver’s intention rather than just the item or compliment itself.
Practice receiving graciously by focusing on the kindness behind gestures rather than just the gestures themselves. It makes gift-givers and compliment-givers feel appreciated for their thoughtfulness.
13. They use “I understand” to show empathy.
When someone shares a problem or frustration, they validate the person’s feelings before offering solutions or advice. They recognise that sometimes people just need to feel heard and understood.
Start conversations about problems by acknowledging the person’s experience before jumping into problem-solving mode. It shows emotional intelligence and makes everyone feel supported rather than dismissed.
14. They say, “I hope you’ll forgive me” for unavoidable inconveniences.
When they’re running late due to circumstances beyond their control or need to cancel plans for legitimate reasons, they express genuine regret for any inconvenience caused, even when it’s not really their fault.
Take responsibility for inconveniences you cause, even when they’re largely unavoidable. This shows consideration for how your circumstances affect other people and maintains goodwill in your relationships.
15. They use “it was my pleasure” when thanked for helping.
Instead of brushing off gratitude with “no problem” or “don’t mention it,” they acknowledge that they were genuinely happy to help. This response validates the thanks-giver while showing they found joy in being helpful.
Replace dismissive responses to thanks with ones that acknowledge your willingness to help. This creates a positive cycle where people feel good about both asking for and receiving assistance from you.
