Do you say thank you to police officers and fire fighters when you see them?

United States
November 13, 2008 9:59pm CST
November 13, 2008 I’ve tried to practice appreciation for my kids benefit. I want them to show thanks for the people who put themselves in harms way, I don’t do it for approval from my kids but as an example. Later on I’ll teach them about military personnel and the sacrifices they make. Have you thanked somebody lately who eats peril for breakfast?
6 people like this
22 responses
@ANTIQUELADY (36440)
• United States
14 Nov 08
no, i haven't. don't really see any to thank & hope i don't have to have either one around.
1 person likes this
• United States
14 Nov 08
But if you did?
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@ANTIQUELADY (36440)
• United States
14 Nov 08
of course i would thank them. i thank anyone who helps me. i'm just glad i haven't had to have either one because that would mean i had troubles.
1 person likes this
• United States
14 Nov 08
i just moved out of Albany NY, where the police are involved with underage drinking, aka keeping the bars open for the kids, drinking on shift, and smoking with kids. agreed they do have a crazy job, but like every time i see one? the restaurant i worked in gave them 50% off and they always came in thinking they owned the world. not when they cant say thank you for a coffee, or omelette, why should i kiss their you know whats, considering thats why half of the guys i interacted with did it, the attention. be put on the pedestal.
1 person likes this
• United States
15 Nov 08
I don't have an answer for that, but think about the good ones and try to focus on those who make a difference.
@walijo2008 (4644)
• United States
14 Nov 08
I admit I don't do it that often, its a shame, we should all thank those people for doing what they do, and sacrificing their lives for people like us. Just like on Veteran's Day, we need to remember all those who gave their lives for us, and the ones who are out there now doing it everyday.
1 person likes this
• United States
15 Nov 08
I agree, thanks.
@taface412 (3175)
• United States
14 Nov 08
I make sure I thank veterans on veteran's day, memorial day and the fourth of July. And usually te are times in between. My brother does the same thing you mentioned. We can be in a restaurant and if he spots someone in uniform he will point them out to his kids and when they walk by the kids will thank them for making sure we are safe. I have seen many soldiers faces light up when they do this.
1 person likes this
• United States
15 Nov 08
That's why I started this discussion, I love it when kids are respectful and appreciative towards those in a position of danger. Thank you.
@guybrush (4658)
• Australia
14 Nov 08
I haven't thanked those people personally, but I certainly appreciate the jobs they do, and have enormous respect for them. I have a daughter in the military, and her boyfriend is heading to Afghanistan in January.
1 person likes this
• United States
15 Nov 08
Then I salute your daughter and her boyfriend.
• India
14 Nov 08
No,but it really worth doing.I think later I will also try it,even sometimes the appreciation just in the heart, other still can feel.In this world, we can see two sides in everything,bright one and shady one.If it's right, no ham to others,why we don't do it BTW,I think you are a great and wise father.
1 person likes this
• United States
15 Nov 08
Thanks. I think it goes hand in hand with respect, appreciation and encouragement are slowly fading away. We need to give more than we do.
@mtdewgurl74 (18151)
• United States
14 Nov 08
I am guilty of not doing so. I can make excuses and say I don't get out much and never see them which I don't but that is no excuse. It is good to teach your kids this because they may grow up one day to become one of the honored. It takes a strong person to become people like that and I am sure with your guidance they will become whatever their hearts desire.
1 person likes this
• United States
15 Nov 08
Thanks.
@1grnthmb (2055)
• United States
15 Nov 08
Oh yes! We also thank the soldiers when we see them. They do a service for us that they are hardly recognized for.
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@YoungInLove (1254)
• Canada
18 Nov 08
No not really, but I never have the chance to talk to any of them anyway. I find the thing with cops are, not all of them, but alot of them put on some tough exterior where they dont look approachable whatsoever. Especially when it comes to dealing with teens, not many of them are the most polite people to talk to. But if one of them talked to me or I had to deal with one of them I would be very polite and thank them. I think it would change if I was older and they didnt have such a bad attitudes towards teens.
1 person likes this
@PearlGrace (3171)
• United States
19 Nov 08
Hi gitfiddleplayer. No, I do not usually think to thank such personnel. But I think your idea is a great one. It's always nice to be recognized and to give recognition. Take care.
@whiteheron (4222)
• United States
18 Nov 08
I must say that "it depends." In all honesty sometimes I have and sometimes I have not. When I was given a ticket once, I really did not feel like saying "Thank you for your service." I though had the common sense not to say what I really felt like saying. I had been lost on the way to a job interview and was going over the speed limit to make up the lost time as I was running late from having been lost. It was just one more bad thing to happen on that day. When I and a friend were out early in the morning and were having a difficult time finding parking after going to Denny's, had finally found a parking place, had just got out of the car and were startled to have five police cars pull up and shine their lights on us because my friend's repeated circling looking for a parking place looked to them like the actions of a potential burgler circling and looking for an easy mark, I was not all that appreciative... I could understand their actions from their perspective but it did not feel good to have to deal with their questions or the embarrassment at being in their headlights... We did say "thank you" to them as they left us alone but it was more said out of relief that they did not arrest us for nothing than it was to thank them for their service. It seems like when they are doing something that we like, or if they are just sitting around waiting for something or walking into a restaurant it is easier to thank them for their service ... but let them do what we do not like ... then the feeling is not so much one of gratitude and the verbalization of "thank you for your service" does not pass through the lips of people... I think that perhaps this is human nature.
1 person likes this
@acevivx (1566)
• Philippines
15 Nov 08
I wouldn't say thank you to them every time I see them if there is no reason or occasion for me to say thank you. i would greet them Good morning or Good Afternoon as the case maybe but i will only say thank you if theY HAD JUST DONE A SPECIAL ACT OR SERVICE FOR ME. While we are all grateful for their being there to protect and serve us, we don't say thank you to them every time we meet them but on special occasions we could express our appreciation for what they do.
15 Nov 08
I an't say I have personally as I haven't come into contact with anybody like that but, it is a good way of setting an example of respect to your children and a good idea! x
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@Bebs08 (10681)
• United States
17 Nov 08
Well, I think I will do thank them in the actual situation. It is also awkward to say thank you to them when you meet them on the road and there is no incident that had happened? But it is a good thing to teach kids to be thankful to people who risk their lives to save other's lives.
@Ohara_1983 (4117)
• Kuwait
15 Nov 08
I haven't meet them yet, specially here in kuwait. And the police in this country are too scary... Yes, they help but just their co people only. They did not treat the people here fairly. If you are diffirent nationalities your so unlucky! It's ok if you have a "wasta" (it mean's big fish) you will be dismissed. But if no, sorry... Well about the fire fighter's since i've been here, i never meet or seen them also in person. But if there is a chance, maybe i will..:)
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@ZephyrSun (7381)
• United States
14 Nov 08
I try to but it really depends on who it is. My husband and I know a lot of police officers and I don't do it to them because they would grow annoyed by it. I do explain to my children that these men and women put their lives at risk every day they go to work and we need to remind them that we are thankful for that.
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@mariposaman (2959)
• Canada
14 Nov 08
Certainly I would if I had an interaction where they helped me. This is their job they chose, the firemen are running into a building when everyone else is running out so it takes a certain type of bravery to be s firefighter. Same with police officers, they take control of situations when others need help. I do not thank them enough, so thank you police officers and firefighters, you are doing a good job.
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@katrhina23 (1282)
• United States
14 Nov 08
I think it is really good to thank these people for doing a wonderful job and for protecting the people and the community. I just taught my students to thank the veterans and have them realized what they di to the country. It is good to let the kids be aware earlier. They should learn how to give gratitude to these people.
@kolsnt87 (27)
• India
14 Nov 08
to be frank i don't and i haven't,i always feel its part of their work routine and i cant thank each and every police or a fire brigade whom i come across daily cos there are lot of pple like them who deserve to be thanked!!!!!!
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14 Nov 08
No, i never said it, except if they did help me with something!!!!! I dont ever speak with them if i see them on the street!!!
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