Understood context between two parties means a lot.
For instance:
“Please sign this form and mail it back to me.”
If you both know that the signing of the form accomplishes a need of, or something of benefit to the signing party, and it is reasonable that they would return it, then this is quite polite.
If the requestor is asking something that doesn’t necessarly benefit the person who would sign and return, then it is rude. I would think something like, “Would you please consider signing and returning this form?”,is better. The question may or may not be better with a reason for the request being communicated . Gratitude/respect for the consideration is require regardless of compliance.
I think it is nice if a superior show politeness often.However, work could easily be overloaded with it. If you know you are on the same team,with sufficient mutual respect , every single thing doesn’t merit so much spoken courtesy.I think we tend to find a balance.
