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FreshBooks’ Second Annual Politeness Index: Which U.S. State is Most Polite?

The verdict is in: Alabama is now the most polite state in America.

For the second year in a row, the data scientists at FreshBooks analyzed over 250,000 invoices that were sent in 2018 to determine where self-employed professionals are the most likely to use please and thank you.

Here’s what we found:

  • Last year, Oklahoma was the most polite state in America by a wide margin. This year, only 20% of their invoices contain please or thank you, bringing them in at #4.
  • Vermont climbed its way to the top three states with their percentage of polite invoices more than doubling since last year.
  • For the second year in a row, Tennessee is the least polite state in the U.S.
  • Once again, Americans are more polite than Canadians overall. Only 8% of Canadians use please or thank you on their invoices, compared to 12% of Americans.

Don’t forget, manners matter. FreshBooks found invoices that use please and thank you get paid a median of two days faster than those that don’t.

How does your state rank?

About FreshBooks: FreshBooks is the #1 accounting software for self-employed professionals and their teams. If you invoice, you need FreshBooks. Try FreshBooks free with a thirty day trial.

Methodology: FreshBooks analyzed over 250,000 invoices sent in 2018 to uncover where small business owners are the most likely to use please or thank you.

Contact: Lindsay Lapchuk, [email protected]

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