The point of this article seems to hinge on gender roles, specifically a submissive and polite attitude (assumed if I'm not mistaken because it sounds feminine)

The point of this article seems to hinge on gender roles, specifically a submissive and polite attitude (assumed if I'm not mistaken because it sounds feminine). Regardless of whether or not that makes sense, an announcer such as the ones described always tells us things unilaterally and without recourse: The train is late, we're all requested to go left, your plane is delayed, your plane must now be boarded, etc. It's not submissive at all: It's there to inform you of reality and you're expected to comply. There's an implicit threat to it, where if you do not listen or don't comply life will be difficult for you.