Yes Rumbo I have, for many years, heard the oft repeated anecdote about "Cheer Up", but have never found anyone who could actually quote the incident!
I do not subscribe to saying something like, "Would you be so kind as to raise the gear?" I believe that saying something like that would be plain stupid, but, a simple 'Please' and ' Thank You' should not confuse the issue.
Can you honestly put your hand on your heart and say that you don't know of a single incident anywhere amongst the Ops Manuals you have had dealings with where an indivudual has not influenced the input? I have seen, in both very large and very small companies, items included under one reign only to be deleted under another, I am sure you have too.