History Main / ItsNotAboutTheRequest

* ''WesternAnimation/GravityFalls'': [[Characters/GravityFallsGrunkleStan Stanley Pines]] hasn't seen his twin brother [[Characters/GravityFallsTheAuthor Stanford]] in ten years since he got thrown out of their house for accidentally destroying Ford's science fair project, but when he receives a message from Ford telling him he needs his help at his new home in Gravity Falls, Stan immediately drops all things and heads over. However, when he gets there, Ford instructs him to take one of his journals and take it far away from town to prevent the portal Bill Cipher tricked him into building from being recreated. Stan, angered that the first thing Ford said to him after not seeing each other for ten years was basically to get out (especially since Ford phrased it in a way referencing their childhood dream to sail around the world) refuses and tries to destroy the journal instead, leading to an argument and fight between the two that eventually leads to the portal accidentally activating and Ford getting trapped in it for thirty years.

* In ''Film/XMenFirstClass'', Magneto doesn't disagree with Shaw's views of an inevitable conflict between humans and mutants, but when Shaw makes a WeCanRuleTogether pitch, Magneto refuses and kills the former Nazi because Shaw tortured him in a concentration camp as a child, and, more importantly, killed his mother.

* ''Manga/OnePiece'': Monkey D. Luffy refused to help his friends from Wano reclaim their kingdom, a statement that shocked his own crew, seeing as how Luffy tends to accept such requests at the drop of a hat. As it turns out, the reason Luffy refused was that the would-be ruler Kozuki Momonosuke ordered his retainers to make the request instead of doing it himself. In Luffy's mind, this means Momonosuke was not performing his duty as a leader. Once Momonosuke realizes this, he tearfully steps up in-person and bows his head to request the Straw Hat Pirates' aid, and this time, Luffy quickly accepts.

* In the first volume of ''ComicBook/TheGoodAsian'', Detective Edison Hark [[HateAtFirstSight immediately dislikes]] Chinatown's seemingly perfect golden boy Terrence Chang, and when Changs requests Hark's help in catching a killer loose in Chinatown, Edison turns him down just for the pleasure of seeing the look on Chang's face when he says, "No."

* ''Film/{{Ghostbusters|1984}}'' (1984): The crux of Peter refusing to show Walter Peck the containment unit is that Peck came in with an air of condescension, barely veiled accusations of fraud, and plain rudeness (for example, after being told Peter has doctorates in psychology and parapsychology, Peck still refers to him as "Mister" Venkman, instead of "Doctor" Venkman, and did so quite deliberately). Peter tells Peck that he did not use the magic word, which Peter then has to point out is simply saying "Please". This leads to the disastrous incident of Peck obtaining a court-order [[ArtisticLicenseLaw in record time]] and ordering the containment unit shut down.

* In the film version of ''Film/ThePostman'', at the start of the movie both the main character "Shakespeare" (so called because he was doing performances of Shakespeare's plays at the time), and a mixed race man called Woody are both forcibly conscripted into the [[RightWingMilitiaFanatic Holnist Army]]. When Shakespeare tries to desert the Army, Woody and a sergeant who's been verbally harassing Woody over his race the entire time find him. Woody seems resigned to killing Shakespeare, as if he doesn't the sergeant or the rest of the Holnists will kill him, but when the sergeant hurls more racist abuse at him while ordering Woody to kill Shakespeare, Woody hits a breaking point and attacks the sergeant instead, which gives Shakespeare just enough time to escape.
* A downplayed example occurs in ''Film/PulpFiction''. At first during the "Bonnie Situation" segment Vincent is none too pleased when [[TheFixer Winston Wolfe]] comes on the scene and curtly gives them orders so that they can safely [[DisposingOfABody dispose of both a body]] and [[DestroyTheEvidence a car that is covered in blood and gore from said body]]. After Wolfe has finished, Vincent briefly balks and grumbles about Wolfe's brisk manner by saying that "A please would be nice." Wolfe responds with a relatively mild speech that calls out Vincent for being difficult for no good reason when time is a factor and Vincent and Jules urgently need Wolfe's help, which he ends with "So pretty please, with sugar on top, go clean the fucking car." Having gotten that much of a courtesy, Vincent gets to work, and by the end of the segment treats Wolfe with much more respect and apologizes for his behavior.
* In ''Film/StarTrek2009'', Spock is first seen being invited to join the Vulcan Science Academy, an honour he is all too willing to accept... until the head of the committee [[HalfBreedDiscrimination praises him for having overcome the "disadvantage" of being half-human]]. Having his parentage insulted in this way is a major BerserkButton for Spock, and he promptly turns down the offer in favour of joining Starfleet instead.

** In ''Literature/HarryPotterAndThePhilosophersStone'', the heroes are wandering around one night when they run into [[SillySpook Peeves]]. One of them asks him to please not tell anyone, and he says to them that he really should. Then an other one of them asks rudely, at which point Peeves alerts Filch that there are students out. They hide before Filch arrives, but when Filch asks Peeves where they went in a somewhat rude and demanding way, Peeves is no longer inclined to tell Filch anything, and says that he "shan't say nothing if you don't say please!" When Filch gives in and says please, Peeves [[LiteralistSnarking literally says, "Nothing!"]]

** This is generally the fatal flaw of the Dinobots: while they generally want the same thing as the Autobots, they '''hate''' taking orders from Optimus Prime, forcing the Autobot leader to use diplomacy, flattery and outright trickery to get any use out of them. The expanded toy bios give the reasons for their hatred, with varying degrees of pettiness.

*** Slag hates taking orders from Optimus Prime, but it ought to be pointed out he just hates taking orders in general. At times, even Grimlock has trouble keeping him in line (this being why Slag is often TheLancer of the team).

** Fangry's toy bio makes note that any sort of request, order or even suggestion will send him into a frothing rage (even when it's something he'd do anyway, like "attack"). The only ones who can get away with giving him orders are the likes of [[BigBad Megatron]] or Bludgeon, who can (and have) beaten him almost to death for talking back to them.
** The Autobot Hot Rod Patrol, a Micromaster team led by Big Daddy, is a group of delinquents and carry a big chip on their tiny shoulders. As a result, they're distrustful and reluctant to take orders from the "big guys" (i.e. the regular-sized Autobots). Big Daddy at least understands that Optimus Prime isn't the sort to throw their lives away, but that just means he's willing to hear Optimus out.

* In ''[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaOracleGames The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons]]'', the Subrosian smith isn't opposed to doing the work of polishing the Rusty Bell or performing the shield upgrade, but will only do it if the right dialog choices are made. With the Bell he won't help if Link asks politely, but will if ordered to do so, while with the shield he only helps if you seem indifferent to it.

* ''Webcomic/KillSixBillionDemons'': In "Breaker of Infinities", [[spoiler:Gog-Agog refuses to join the other [[GodEmperor Demiurges]] in [[SupernaturalSealing binding]] the OmnicidalManiac Jagganoth because, even with all of reality on the line, [[DudeWheresMyRespect they won't admit they need her help]]. Even for an insane MonsterClown, it's a bridge too far]].

** Discussed when Oscar teaches Elmo to be a grouch, and Elmo gets into Oscar's trash can. When Oscar wants his trash can back, Elmo repeatedly replies "Go Away", as Oscar had taught her. Maria suggests that Oscar might have to ask nicely, and even say "please". However, this does not work, and Elmo still tells him to go away.

* ''Manga/OnePiece'': Monkey D. Luffy refused to help his friends from The Land of Wano to reclaim their kingdom, a statement that shocked his own crew along with everyone else present. However, as it turns out, the reason he refused was that the would-be ruler Kozuki Momonosuke, who keep in mind is a [[AChildShallLeadThem 8-year old child]], had allowed his retainers to make the request instead of doing it himself i.e. not performing his duty as a leader. Once Momonosuke realizes this, he tearfully steps up and bows his head to request the Straw Hat Pirates' aid, to which Luffy ''happily'' accepts this time.

* ''WesternAnimation/GravityFalls'': Stanley Pines hasn't seen his twin brother Stanford in ten years since he got thrown out of their house for accidentally destroying Ford's science fair project, but when he receives a message from Ford telling him he needs his help at his new home in Gravity Falls, Stan immediately drops all things and heads over. However, when he gets there, Ford instructs him to take one of his journals and take it far away from town to prevent the portal Bill Cipher tricked him into building from being recreated. Stan, angered that the first thing Ford said to him after not seeing each other for ten years was basically to get out (especially since Ford phrased it in a way referencing their childhood dream to sail around the world) refuses and tries to destroy the journal instead, leading to an argument and fight between the two that eventually leads to the portal accidentally activating and Ford getting trapped in it for thirty years.

* In ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'' episode "[[Recap/TheSimpsonsS2E11OneFishTwoFishBlowfishBlueFish One Fish, Two Fish, Blow Fish, Blue Fish]]", Homer is caught speeding by police cops Eddie and Lou. Homer, thinking he has a day to live after eating a tainted meal the previous night, impatiently insists they just hurry it up and give him the ticket. This is something the cops were going to do, but they get ticked off by his attitude, so instead of just giving him a ticket [[DisproportionateRetribution they throw him in jail for being a wiseguy and trying to order them around]] instead.

-->--'''Brutus''' (to Caesar), ''Series/{{Rome}}''

Sometimes characters refuse to go along with something, not because they don't want to do the action in question, or because doing it [[EveryoneHasStandards would violate their morality]], but just because they didn't care for the way they were asked/ordered to do it. Maybe their BerserkButton was pressed in the process. Maybe the person making an otherwise reasonable request has wronged them in the past. Maybe the person asking is a rude {{Jerkass}}. Often the most small scale and/or petty cases involve reacting negatively to someone not saying "Please" when asking the person to do something. Whatever the case may be, something about how they were asked or the person asking makes them say no.

* ''Anime/FlintTheTimeDetective'': Halfway through the show, [[BigBad the Dark Lord]] sends one of his EliteMooks Super Ninja to accompany [[TheDragon Petra Fina]] since Petra obviously can't handle the protagonists herself. However, Super Ninja quickly makes it clear to Petra that he only obeys the Dark Lord, not her, and flat out refuses to do anything if Petra tries to order him to. Only if she asks him politely will he listen, much to Petra's frustration.
* ''Manga/OnePiece'': Monkey D. Luffy refused to help his friends from The Land of Wano to reclaim their kingdom, a statement that shocked his own crew along with everyone else present. However, as it turns out, the reason he refused was because the would-be ruler Kozuki Momonosuke, who keep in mind is a [[AChildShallLeadThem 8-year old child]], had allowed his retainers to make the request instead of doing it himself i.e. not performing his duty as a leader. Once Momonosuke realizes this, he tearfully steps up and bows his head to request the Straw Hat Pirates' aid, to which Luffy ''happily'' accepts this time.

* A downplayed example occurs in ''Film/PulpFiction''. At first during the "Bonnie Situation" segment Vincent is none too pleased when [[TheFixer Winston Wolfe]] comes on the scene and curtly gives them orders so that they can safely [[DisposingOfABody dispose of both a body]] and [[DestroyTheEvidence a car that is covered in blood and gore from said body]]. After Wolfe has finished, Vincent briefly balks and grumbles about Wolfe's brisk manner by saying that "A please would be nice." Wolfe responds with a relatively mild but speech that calls out Vincent for being difficult for no good reason when time is a factor and Vincent and Jules urgently need Wolfe's help, which he ends with "So pretty please, with sugar on top, go clean the fucking car." Having gotten that much of a courtesy, Vincent gets to work, and by the end of the segment treats Wolfe with much more respect and apologizes for his behavior.

* Throughout ''Literature/TheRailwaySeries'' and it's AnimatedAdaptation ''WesternAnimation/ThomasAndFriends'', the Troublesome Trucks will routinely misbehave or even intentionally derail the engine pulling them simply because they didn't like the tone they ordered them about. Of course, being ''troublesome'' trucks, they generally like finding ''any'' excuse to cause misery for an engine anyway.

* In ''Series/{{Rome}}'', this is the reason that Brutus cites for not joining Caesar when Caesar marched on the city of Rome and the Republic split between Caesar's faction and that of Pompey and the conservative patricians. He states that if Caesar had asked for his allegiance and help, Brutus would have joined him no matter the misgivings Brutus had, simply because of their relationship. However, Brutus claims that Caesar's heavy handed methods left Brutus honor-bound to refuse him.

** The Autobot Hot Rod Patrol, a Micromaster team lead by Big Daddy, is a group of delinquents and carry a big chip on their tiny shoulders. As a result, they're distrustful and reluctant to take orders from the "big guys" (i.e. the regular-sized Autobots). Big Daddy at least understands that Optimus Prime isn't the sort to throw their lives away, but that just means he's willing to hear Optimus out.

* In the WebVideo/RealTimeFandub of ''VideoGame/ResidentEvil2Remake'', Ada demands for Leon to give her the Film/{{Jumanji}}fication Juice, but Leon will only give it to her if she says "please".

* ''WesternAnimation/GravityFalls'': Stanley Pines hasn't seen his twin brother Stanford in ten years since he got thrown out of their house for accidentally destroying Ford's science fair project, but when he receives a message from Ford telling him he needs his help at his new home in Gravity Falls, Stan immediately drops all things and heads over. However, when he gets there, Ford instructs him to take one his journals and take it far away from town to prevent the portal Bill Cipher tricked him into building from being recreated. Stan, angered that the first thing Ford said to him after not seeing each other for ten years was basically to get out (especially since Ford phrased it in a way referencing their childhood dream to sail around the world) refuses and tries to destroy the journal instead, leading to an argument and fight between the two that eventually leads to the portal accidentally activating and Ford getting trapped in it for thirty years.

* Monkey D. Luffy from ''Manga/OnePiece'' refused to help his friends from The Land of Wano to reclaim their kingdom, a statement that shocked his own crew along with everyone else present. However, as it turns out, the reason he refused was because the would-be ruler Kozuki Momonosuke, who keep in mind is a [[AChildShallLeadThem 8-year old child]], had allowed his retainers to make the request instead of doing it himself i.e. not performing his duty as a leader. Once Momonosuke realizes this, he tearfully steps up and bows his head to request the Straw Hat Pirates' aid, to which Luffy ''happily'' accepts this time.

->''Had you told me you were to march on Rome and asked for my allegiance, I would have given it. I would have judged you insane, but I would have given it. Because I look on you as my father. But you did not ask me for my allegiance. You demanded it, at sword point.''
-->--'''Brutus''' to Caesar, ''Series/{{Rome}}''

[[folder:Anime and Manga]]

* Monkey D. Luffy from ''Manga/OnePiece'' refused to help his friends from The Land of Wano help to reclaim their kingdom, a statement that shocked his own crew along with everyone else present. However, as it turns out, the reason he refused was because the would be ruler Kozuki Momonosuke, who keep in mind is a [[AChildShallLeadThem 8-year old child]], had allowed his retainers to make the request instead of doing it himself i.e. not performing his duty as a leader. Once Momonosuke realizes this, he tearfully steps up and bows his head to request the Straw Hat Pirates' aid, to which Luffy ''happily'' accepts this time.

* A downplayed variant in [[https://www.gocomics.com/calvinandhobbes/1990/01/21 this]] ''ComicStrip/CalvinAndHobbes'' strip, where Calvin grudgingly goes out for a wintertime walk with his parents. Calvin bitterly complains about the cold conditions every step of the way, but it turns out that his real problem is going on the walk with his parents, not being out in the cold, because the moment they get home he willingly runs outside again to play with Hobbes and a toboggan in the snow.

[[folder:Film -- Live Action]]
* ''Film/{{Ali}}'', the 2001 biopic of UsefulNotes/MuhammadAli, plays with this somewhat in depicting Ali's refusal to be inducted into military service. While Ali is against beingpart of the war in any way, he has reluctantly resigned himself to be drafted... until [[BerserkButton his birth name of Cassius Clay]] rather than his preferred and now legal name of Muhammad Ali is used to call him to step forward and accept the draft. Ali pauses just before stepping forward when he hears this, then refuses to step forward and be inducted after all.
* In ''Film/DoctorStrange2016'', Kaecilius attempts to recruit Strange by making some valid points about life, death, and the hypocrisy of the Ancient One, all of which Strange is sympathetic to. However, Strange refuses because it's obvious that Kaecilius has been corrupted by Dormammu, who has twisted Kaecilius into a murderous UnwittingPawn of the DimensionLord despite the sympathetic motivations of Kaecilius.
* ''[[Film/Ghostbusters1984 Ghostbusters (1984)]]'': The crux of Peter refusing to show Walter Peck the containment unit is that Peck came in with an air of condescension, barely-veiled accusations of fraud, and plain rudeness (for example, after being told Peter has doctorates in psychology and parapsychology, Peck still refers to him as "Mister" Venkman, instead of "Doctor" Venkman, and did so quite deliberately), Peter tells Peck that he did not use the magic word, which Peter then has to point out is simply saying "Please". This leads to the disastrous incident of Peck obtaining a court-order [[ArtisticLicenseLaw in record time]] and ordering the containment unit shut down.

-->'''Magneto:''' I'd like you to know that I agree with every word you said... but unfortunately, you killed my mother. ''[Murders Shaw]''

* In ''Ghostbusters: a Paranormal Picture Book'', a kids' book that parodies ''Film/Ghostbusters1984'' and [[SpinoffBabies stars the characters as grade schoolers]], Walt asks for a flyer. Peter says no, "because you didn't say the magic word".
* ''Literature/HarryPotter:''
** In ''Literature/HarryPotterAndThePhilosophersStone'', the heroes are wandering around one night when they run into [[SillySpook Peeves]]. One of them asks him to please not tell anyone, and he says to them that he really should. Then an other one of them asks rudely, at which point Peeves alerts Filch that there are students out. They hide before Filch arrives, but when Filch asks Peeves where they went in a somewhat rude and demanding way, Peeves is no longer inclined to tell Filch anything, and says that he "shan't say nothing if you don't say please!" When Filch says gives in and says please, Peeves [[LiteralistSnarking literally says, "Nothing!"]]
** ''Literature/HarryPotterAndTheChamberOfSecrets'': When Dudley demands, "Pass the frying pan," Harry at first refuses, and says irritably, "You've forgotten the magic word," meaning 'please'. Unfortunately, this is a big mistake, as the Dursleys are terrified of magic and anything to do with it.

-->'''Oliver:''' Look sharp!
-->'''Trucks:''' That's not the way to speak. Pay him out!

-->'''James Harrow:''' Dr. Blackwell, ICantBelieveImSayingThis, but as of right now, ''you'' are the fuckin' Director of the soon-to-be-renamed Rentier Institute, with all the perks and privileges entitled within. But for now, I want you to ''lock these sons of bitches up for high treason''! And after that, you're gonna ''squeeze'' every bit of vital information out of the [[FantasticSlurs tick]] that's currently inhabiting the carcass of [[spoiler:William Rentier]]. And once you're done, ''apply your own damn protocols and put a bullet in its head, like you should have done days ago''!
-->''[Dr. Blackwell stays [[TranquilFury furiously quiet]]]''
-->'''James Harrow:''' ''Are you havin' some sort of female moment?! I FUCKIN' WANT! THIS FUCKIN' DONE! RIGHT FUCKIN' NOW!''
-->'''Dr. Emilia Blackwell:''' [[ShutUpHannibal Allow me to present a counter-proposal]]- ''You leave Calico right now and never come back'', you lying, sweaty, lecherous, potty-mouthed, flatulent... ''[[ArsonMurderAndJaywalking ugly-moustached creep]]''!

[[folder:Web Video]]

-->'''Ada:''' ''[points a gun at Leon]'' Give me the fucking thing!
-->'''Leon:''' ''[points a gun back at Ada]'' I hold to my values, bitch! You still haven't said "please", you motherfucker!
-->'''Ada:''' Please give me the Jumanjification Juice!
-->'''Leon:''' Well, now you were rude about it because you said "fuck" in it!

* ''WesternAnimation/StarTrekTheAnimatedSeries'': In "[[Recap/StarTrekTheAnimatedSeriesS2E3ThePracticalJoker The Practical Joker]]", the spaceship's computer comes alive and starts [[ThePrankster pranking the crew]]. At one point, Kirk gives it a command, and it responds, "Say please". When Kirk does, the computer says, "Say, 'pretty please'," but when he complies, it adds, "Say, 'pretty please with sugar on.'"

* ''Film/{{Ali}}'', the 2001 biopic of UsefulNotes/MuhammadAli, depicts Ali's refusal to be inducted into military service this way. While Ali is against it, he has reluctantly resigned himself to be drafted... until [[BerserkButton his birth name of Cassius Clay]] rather than his preferred and now legal name of Muhammad Ali is used to call him to step forward and accept the draft. Ali pauses just before stepping forward when he hears this, then refuses to step forward and be inducted after all.

* In the film version of ''Film/ThePostman'', at the start of the movie both the main character "Shakespeare" (so called because he was doing performances of Shakespeare's plays at the time), and a mixed race man called Woody are both forcibly conscripted into the [[RightWingMilitiaFanatic Holnist Army]]. When Shakespeare tries to desert the Army, it's Woody and a sergeant who's been verbally harassing Woody over his race the entire time who find him. Woody seems resigned to killing Shakespeare, as if he doesn't the sergeant or the rest of the Holnists will kill him, but when the sergeant hurls more racist abuse at him while ordering Woody to kill Shakespeare, Woody hits a breaking point and attacks the sergeant instead, which gives Shakespeare just enough time to escape.