Death of 'thank you'

[Jazzy]

It is considered one of the basics of politeness, but saying thank you may be dying out, according to new research.



Rather than failing to show gratitude, however, we are simply using other words. In fact, one in three people say they usually use another word to express gratitude.



Among the most popular phrases were the less formal “ta” and “cool” as well as the French word “merci”.



Although the average Briton still says thank you up to 5,000 times a year, the results indicate an increasingly casual way of speaking, with 40 per cent believing they use “thank you” less than previous generations.



The poll by television channel Food Network UK to coincide with the launch of Thank You Day also showed that one in 20 said “nice one” instead.



But 95 per cent still believe good manners are important and eight in 10 Britons say they are polite.



Nick Thorogood, the managing director of Food Network, said: “This highlights that taking the time and effort to say thanks is still very important to us. People will always find the way that works best for them.”



It is interesting to see what the act means to different people.



Source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/8910902/Death-of-thank-you.html



Question: Do you say thank you?

 

[The Dragon Master]

I say thank you to the bus driver every morning and when people hold the door open for me.

 

[Jazzy]

I was taught to always say please and thank you. If I didn't, I didn't get what I was asking for. Needless to say, I always say thank you. Same goes for the word please. A little kindness and politeness goes a long way.

 

[Sam.]

If people are using alternatives to thank you like thanks, ta, cheers etc, I don't think thank you is dying out. Thank you is a lot more formal than the other ways of showing gratitude so it would depend on the circumstance as to which one people use.

 

[Evil Eye]

I admit I don't say it a lot, doesn't mean I'm not grateful, means I hate saying it.

 

[Evil Eye]

It's a character flaw of mine.

 

[Evil Eye]

Yeah, you're right. Still makes me feel uncomfortable though.

 

[Jazzy]

Some people have shitty thankless jobs and two little words can mean so much to them. They don't cost a dime those two little words. They put a smile on a persons face and make them feel their shitty job is appreciated. Those two little word in case you haven't figured them out or never use them are thank you. Try it and I guarantee you, you'll get a smile back!

 

[Fatal Dawn]

I'm an actions speak louder kind of person.

If I am thankful I will show it, not say it.



If there is nothing else to show, those words could easily be dismissed.

I can understand politeness in your family, but in regards to strangers... I mean I doubt thank you means anything to the guy taking out your garbage. What does it mean coming from you? You are not the one paying his bills or putting food on his plate. For all you know he could take your politeness to mean condescension.​

 

[Bryd0]

I still say thank you most of the time... that's all I can say.

 

[Jazzy]

I'm an actions speak louder kind of person.

If I am thankful I will show it, not say it.

If I saw you about to fall and I ran over to stop you from falling, how would you show me you were thankful?

 

[Fatal Dawn]

If I saw you about to fall and I ran over to stop you from falling, how would you show me you were thankful?

I'd undoubtedly find some way to help you in return when the opportunity comes. I'll keep you in mind so I can go out of my way to help you in the same token. I feel like my words would be so easily dismissed and forgotten anyways. So my way of thanks - Quid pro quo.

 

[Jazzy]

I'd probably find some way to help you in return when the opportunity comes. I'll keep you in mind so I can go out of my way to help you in the same token. Quid pro quo.

I was simply a stranger walking and saw you about to fall. I helped you and walked away mixing in with the crowd. Gone forever and you didn't even know my name. A simple thank you would have made me feel that you appreciated the fact I even wanted to help you. Oh, btw, thank you for responding to my question!

 

[Fatal Dawn]

I'm not ungrateful, but I want to show you that I am thankful. I mean I would say thank you no doubt, but that's not all. I will hug you, kiss you, pray for you, or whatever in the world it takes to make us even for saving me.



At my school me and my friends save up money to give to the janitor around this time of year. Even if we don't save up a great amount it's still saying a lot more of how thankful we are to his service. It doesn't have to be something big, but it needs to be something.That's just how I was raised. Say thank you, but moreover do something nice.



It's easy to fluff words, but going out of your way to show that you are thankful is noble indeed.



It's like saying sorry. Simply saying sorry does not make you apologetic. Own up to the words. Say it but do something to show it.

 

[Jazzy]

I'm not ungrateful, but I want to show you that I am thankful. I mean I would say thank you no doubt, but that's not all. I will hug you, pray for you, find you to give you money or whatever it takes to make us even for saving me. That's just how I was raised. Be a man of your words.



Say thank you and do something nice.



It's like saying sorry. Simply saying sorry does not make you apologetic. Own up to the words. Say it but do something to show it.



I'm not asking you to approve of the way I was raised, but I just feel that someone's actions speak more to me than words.

I was simply confused and am somewhat still confused because you said this:

If I am thankful I will show it, not say it.

The way you were raised is not for me or anyone else to judge. This topic is simply about the death of thank-you. I can see from some of the responses that it is indeed two simple words that are dying or have died and it's a shame.

 

[Fatal Dawn]

Well Jazzy, I was always raised to see please and thank you. And to greet strangers, and say good morning and good night. To help my neighbor and stand up for my brother.

Now people look at me as a fool who wears his heart on his sleeve. I am often walked on and taken advantage of because of my damnable politeness. If I were to live in the city I think I would be eaten alive.

So the world is always changing and the rules of behavior change as well. It's not the same game and it's not the same rules.





As for thank you, it should never be a burden. But I can see where some people are coming from when they say it's not in their nature.



Some people are raised to not talk to strangers and be assertive to get what you want. Maybe that if you act too courteous, people will take you for someone who is very emotional and sensitive? I don't know..