So much this!!
I'm not saying we're special people, or that we are any nicer than others, but I have found that when people ask about something here on the boards and I say we received it and 19 people blast me saying that's not in the policy and read this thread here or whatever, all I can say is that we got the canned sodas in our room - MANY OF THEM, no charge, last 2 sailings - our kids got any and all virgin drinks on the last 3+ sailings - MANY OF THEM, no charge, no issues. Could that change next time? Sure. Would we pitch a fit? Of course not. We'll smile, thank them for their consideration and move on and keep enjoying our sailing.
I would agree though - we ask ... we smile ... we show respect. We have never been turned down on anything - and I don't think anything we asked for or received was super expensive or would get someone fired or anything like that.