7/12: Please / Could you

Pleaseはちょっと命令っぽくて強いので、Could youにしたほうがソフトになる。

There's a slight difference between the following two sentences.

• Could you tell me when the film will be ready?
• Please tell me when the film will be ready.

Both are ways to make a request, but the first is a bit more polite in this case. "Please 〜" can sound a bit like a command if it isn't offered in response to a request for direction. I'll show you an example.

A: What date should I schedule the meeting for? Q: Please schedule it for Wednesday, the 18th.