How often do you say THANK YOU?
@lordwarwizard (35747)
Singapore
March 29, 2007 1:23pm CST
Thank you. THANK YOU. THANKS!!
There are so many ways of expressing gratitude. Some prefer to lavish flowery flattery on their chosen recipients. Others choose to let their actions speak by showering them with gifts. Yet I have observed that even a simple "thanks" can go a long way.
Take an example. I was out getting some groceries yesterday. It was a big supermarket and I happened to queue at a counter that was manned by an inexperienced staff. Even if she was not wearing that "TRAINEE" tag, her nervousness was practically screaming at me. The first thing I did when I finally reached my turn was to SMILE at her. Remember a smile always works wonders. :P
And when she handed me my change, I beamed at her again and said, "Thanks!". She had been so clumsy with the customers before me that I guess her ego must have been horribly bruised by the impatient glares. I sure hoped my smile dissipated some of her nervousness. But I was more than certain that my simple "thanks" made her day. When I thanked her, she was visibly surprised (more like stunned) and returned me a smile two secs too late. One thought was running through my mind then, "Poor girl, am I the only one who said 'thank you'"?
So you see, even a simple "thanks" can go a long way to making someone happy. Isn't it a worthwhile project to make the world a happier place? How often do you say "thank you"? Under what circumstances do you say "thank you"? Have you any experiences to share?
THANKS! ;-)
PS.: I have given out some virtual medals for my "Do you READ the manual or JUNK it?" discussion at http://www.mylot.com/w/discussions/883547.aspx . In particular, you can see responses 28, 29, 37, 58, 70, 101, 108, 109 & 114. Anyone who has not answered can still give it a go. ^^ For details on the virtual medal initiative, please refer to http://www.mylot.com/w/discussions/892924.aspx .
33 people like this
125 responses
@DeaXyza (577)
• United States
29 Mar 07
I always said my Thank you's and sorry's very well also never forget to smile! A smile I have often found out makes mountains move, and a Thank you I have found to have so many magical powers that I can not even list out! The word thank you said with a smile brings the best out in people. When said to a friend it brings a smile on their face too. I never forget to thank Bus drivers, Doormen, Ward boys, Janitors, sales people, busboys etc etc. I used to stop by and thank the lady who would clean up the road in front of our home, and would you believe whenever she would see me she would smile shyly and bless me for no reason at all. long time ago once I thanked the new bus driver who dropped me at the stop. would you believe after that day everyday he would pick me up right in front of my home and not at the bus stop, and whenever I got in and got out I used to thank him and a few times I even insisted on picking me up and dropping me at the bus stop would you believe what he said " Ma'm I have ferried so many passenger in my life you are the first one to thank me so this is the least I can do and I do it gladly". Somehow this incident has left a indelible mark in my heart. And hence even if I am in a hurry I never forget to smile and thank people.
4 people like this
@lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
29 Mar 07
We should have a "Thank You Day" or something.:P
THANK YOU for... EVERYTHING.^^
3 people like this
@DeaXyza (577)
• United States
29 Mar 07
no we should not ask me why ? 'cos the thank you's are already precious imagine if a thank you day is celebrated people will forget to say thank you all the other days and will only slot it to the Thank you day! I think everyday should be a thank you day don't you think so ? oh by the way they already have something similar in US called the thanksgiving day, but it is to thank the people ( friends and family) in our lives!
2 people like this
@trinidadvelasco (11401)
• Philippines
29 Mar 07
In my country, many of us still say thank you's for whatever little thing others may have done favorably for somebody. I say my thanks to the jeepney or the taxi driver as I reach my destination. He deserves it for having brought me to the place safely. I give my thanks for those people in the public market whenever I buy anything from them and they dealt with me accordingly. So many more still to follow in the list.
We might say that they are there for the service because they earn, yet we must be thankful they are there. Life has become much easier to handle because they are there. This is what we are being thankful for.
@lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
29 Mar 07
I think it is only polite and good manners. I say thank you to anyone - stranger or family or friend - for every big and small thing. ;-)
2 people like this
@margieanneart (26423)
• United States
29 Mar 07
I say thank you all the time. If someone opens or holds a door, if someone gives me something, if someone does something for me. I have a lot of manners, and use them to be polite.
3 people like this
@SilentRose19 (1733)
• United States
30 Mar 07
I believe that you are right, you should say thank you whenever gratitude is needed. It is a neccesity that you show people that you apprieciate what they do for you. They need to know they are appriciated and that you are glad they could help you when you didn't ask for it or even if you did.
1 person likes this
@patgalca (18180)
• Orangeville, Ontario
29 Mar 07
You know, this always makes me think of Ellen Degeneres. She always says "Your welcome" whether someone says "thank you" or not. I love the way she says it.
I always say thank you to everyone, everywhere, for every reason. Someone holds a door for me, no matter what the age, I say thank you. A little boy held the door for me a couple of weeks ago and I said, "Thank you, young man." I think it made him feel really proud. I have taught my kids to say thank you from the time they could talk. And I don't me "Ta". I always made them say the proper words, never any baby talk.
I'm not sure why I have to remind my husband to say please and thank you, especially to the children. I am try to teach them. We should be setting an example. Frankly, I think it is rude not to say thank you to everyone you encounter every day. I thank my husband when he washes the dishes.
If you saw my post about the no complaint challenge, you'll know I am trying to make a happier world too. I am trying to make a happier me. Although I have not received my bracelet yet, I find myself always thinking about whether what I am THINKING is actually a complaint. And trying to smile more often. You don't realize you're not smiling until somebody says something to you.
Back to your thought, there is no wrong time to say thank you. Think about it. I recently wrote a short story where a man goes to heaven and meets Jesus. After his conversation with Him he says, "Thank you" and Jesus replies, "No, thank YOU." Spread the love say thank you.
And thank YOU for this discussion. ;-)
3 people like this
@lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
29 Mar 07
I see a bright halo above your head, my friend!;-)
THANK YOU for letting me see the halo.:P
1 person likes this
@marlyse (1056)
• Switzerland
29 Mar 07
wow lordwardwizard, that is one discussion comeing straight from my heart.
i had to learn that a simple thank you or a smile made people blush, because the arent used to it. and right your example tells us, how cheap it is to make someones day and to give away a lil happiness. i have not many rules in my house and with my kids, but please, thank you, you are welcome and smile is a must here.
@lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
29 Mar 07
Exactly. Smiles and thank yous are so cheap... practically free... but it can make the world a much better place...
3 people like this
@lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
30 Mar 07
Giving *is* fun. It's supposed to beat receiving. :P
2 people like this
@mfpsassy (2827)
• United States
29 Mar 07
I try to say thank you to everyone who has done something for me. Though I am pretty sure there are occasions I have probably not. I always seem to get the "newbies" at the grocery store and the bank. I always tell them thank you and to have a nice day. It's nice to see the smile on their face when they realize that even though they might have taken a little longer or other things happened that I really do apperciate their help.
3 people like this
@rainbow (6761)
•
29 Mar 07
Hiya Wiz! See still around, lol!
I say thank-you all the time and smile and talk to shop assiatants. What you did was very kind, poor girl, when I first worked in a cafe after years of office work I was really worried, but each time someone ignored my fluster and smiled or said something nice it really helped me.
2 people like this
@lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
30 Mar 07
Yea, still here. And I am glad YOU are still around too!
Now don't go flapping your wings and flying away, alright? :P
@weemam (13372)
•
29 Mar 07
I say thank you all the time , My hubby and my son who still lives with us do too , I was on the phone to my bank the other day and they were setting up a link for me to pay my mums bills through my account . The girl was foreign and she was so lovely ( nothing was too much for her) I didn't realize I had said thank you as often until she said " you do not have to keep saying the thank yous" it sounded as if she wasn't used to being thanked" I said if someone was being helpful to me I would always say thanks . I think manners can take you a long way in life xx
@lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
30 Mar 07
If we think it another way, it is actually a good thing (ironically) that thank-yous are not so common - it increases the effect when we thank someone. If everyone says thank-yous always, I guess it may be nothing special anymore.
We probably need to progress to a hug or something lol. :P
@Angelinka (1410)
• Italy
29 Mar 07
i allways say thank you to everybody who did something to me.i am very educated girl:)
@retardedrugrat (4791)
• Canada
29 Mar 07
I make sure I say thank you whenever possible. it's basic manners and I feel it makes peoples day a little brighter if they're greeted with a smile and a bit of courtesy.
I've also taught my kids basic manners too. they say please and thank you, and if they hear me say thank you to a store cashier, they usually join in with a chorus of thank yous that never fail to bring a smile to peoples faces.
I feel that society today are too wrapped up in their own issues and their own worlds. They don't smile, they do what they gotta do rushing from one thing to the next like headless chickens.
I'm not sure where manners stopped being taight. I was always brought up to treat people with courtesy and respect, and I'm instilling those same values in my own children.
2 people like this
@lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
30 Mar 07
Right, people are closing into themselves and becoming more individual...
@chenxiaoyue_713 (2165)
• China
30 Mar 07
Hey, you've started a good topic. All of us have to recollect on how long we haven't showed thanks to others. As the society deveops, the relations between people also become cool. What exist between them is indifference and distrust, which leads to an unhappy world. What we've forgottn is that we all live in a social circle, and one interact another. Therefore, it's the time to appeal everyone to bring back their goodness as they did before. Don't forget to say thanks when helped by others not only leave a good impression to others, but also make others happy. So why not do it? Come on, guys, don't be a miser. Trying to show a smile to others from now on.
As for me, I dare say I'm doing good on this point. I'm a person who like to say thanks to others when being helped. I'll stick to it forever, cause that's no harm.
2 people like this
@lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
30 Mar 07
Yup. I think there is goodness in everyone. We just need to remind people of that and help to polish the goodness inside till it shines. ;-)
@ballerina (56)
• India
30 Mar 07
I never forget to say a thankyou. These are the most treasured words anybody can say to anybody it doesn't need a language, to express a thankyou. Thankyou brings happiness to the heart.In our country people use the three wheel auto to commute to most of the places. One day as i travelled in one of these autos. I forgot my carry bag in the auto. Most of the times people dont even acknowledge the work of an auto driver. But when i paid this guy i said a thank you and i was on my way. Suddenly i heard someone calling and i turned back to see this auto driver running after me just to hand me the carry bag that i had left in his auto. There were so many gifts that i had brought for my family. I was happy that he had returned it to me. I again thanked him for his honesty. Some times i wonder, if he had taken that bag he would have gained something atleast. But i think that a small thank you can do wonders to the person it is said to and to the person who says it too.
@Aphroditei_5279 (2465)
• Philippines
29 Mar 07
I know she really appreciated that thank you from you. I have worked as a cashier, for a while at a supermarket here, in a local mall. And it is frightening to see a queue of people with a frown on their face. And a simple thank you makes you feel appreciated for your effort. It is like a breath of fresh air, a tap on your shoulder.
I enjoy to say thank you to everyone. It is a simple word, but it goes a long way. Sometimes even if your day started bad, it brightens your day, until the end of your shift.
And I also like to say thank you to security guards, who opened your door on the way out. To parking valet, who facilitate you. To the janitor, for cleaning your desk. They are simple person, and at least with saying thank you, it means they are not taken for granted. And that they have an important role in society too.
Sometimes thank yous are not enough, I like to go out of my way. To give, not elegant or expensive gift, but a simple token of my apreciation. Mostly cards and thank you letter or food/snacks. And sometimes plants because they last longer.
Well, thank you my friend for this great discussion. Hope many would be touched and spread thank yous all over the planet!! (^^,)
2 people like this
@lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
29 Mar 07
I really think we should start spreading this "Thank you" fever.;-)
1 person likes this
@Aphroditei_5279 (2465)
• Philippines
30 Mar 07
Yes, we should spread the thank you fever. It is very contagious. (^^LOL^^,) Thanks to you too for the great discussion! (^^,) Have a nice day my "thank you" friend! Oh! My gosh, Thank you! I think I'm contaminated already, Have to go, to spread this Thank you fever!! (^^,LOL^^,)
@WASYLBRYTAN (78)
• Canada
29 Mar 07
I find that thanking clerks in stores and restaurants goes a long way toward improving service and making everyone feel better. It lets people know they are appreciated. one of our basic needs in life is to feel appreciated.
2 people like this
@lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
30 Mar 07
Do they still spit in your food nowadays? I sure hope not! :P
@lvhughes (545)
• United States
30 Mar 07
i say thankyou even when it isnt really the best response.it makes me feel good to say it and yoiu can tell alot of people like to hear it. and yes your right a smile can make anyones day i personally think that "thank you needs to be used more often by more people. Parents need to install it in their kids the same as we had it installed it us. my kids learn it as soon as they are old enough to start talking.
@disvachic (10117)
• United States
30 Mar 07
I say thankyou all the time and i teach my children to say thanks!They are very good at i never have to tell them to say thanks after someone has done something for them.I am so proud of it.Its very polite to say thankyou and makes the giver feel so great.
2 people like this
@stella1989 (2274)
• India
30 Mar 07
I say thank you a lot...!!
People jsut prohibit me to say thank you !
starnge isn't it!! But thats truth. I even say thankyou to my parents for every thing may be its kind of habbit for me but when i say it when i really mean it!!
well thats me ..!!
have a nice life.
2 people like this
@collstarx (1177)
• Indonesia
29 Mar 07
Word Thank you is universal and people like it
2 people like this
@Transformed (1259)
• United States
30 Mar 07
It's so reaffirming to hear those words for things you've done, even if you don't deserve a "Thank You".
1 person likes this
@Naveed1985 (20)
•
30 Mar 07
I say thank you pretty often really. Its not uncommon for me to say it. I say it whenever I go shopping when i get change or someone helps me out if i'm looking for something. But even I have my off days and during those days I don't say it, sometimes I just don't say it to see what their reactions are lol.
2 people like this
