Poll: Do we say thanks too often?

[Zanix]

So I was walking out of a building at school today, and as I walked out the door, I pushed it open a little farther than nessary so the person behind me wouldn't get smacked.

Then I hear a "Thank you!" from behind.


I don't think a thanks was necessary. I didn't really go out of my way or anything. I didn't stop and hold the door. I guess I was looking out for the person behind me though, even thought I didn't know they were there.

It seems like "Thank you" has lost it's value/meaning because of its overuse. (commonplace in this country I think with all the buzzwords and cliches, save that for another thread)



In a different case, is it right to say thanks to a waitress/waiter when they bring you your drink? How about when they refill it? Both part of they're job, right? Or no? They're working for tips and wages, do they need verbal gratitude as well as monitary?

 

[iwearnosox]

Thank you.

 

[jagec]

I say it, because it doesn't cost you anything and sometimes it's the little things that keep people from going crazy and killing you

 

[Zanix]

Originally posted by: iwearnosox
Thank you.

BWAAAA bwaaaahhh!!! ZEE W1nnAR!!111 omglolzzz!!!1


edit: your sig is appropriate!

 

[hjo3]

Originally posted by: Zanix
I don't think a thanks was necessary. I didn't really go out of my way or anything. I didn't stop and hold the door.

Maybe it was sarcastic.

 

[sixone]

Originally posted by: Zanix
So I was walking out of a building at school today, and as I walked out the door, I pushed it open a little farther than nessary so the person behind me wouldn't get smacked.

Then I hear a "Thank you!" from behind.


I don't think a thanks was necessary. I didn't really go out of my way or anything. I didn't stop and hold the door. I guess I was looking out for the person behind me though, even thought I didn't know they were there.

It seems like "Thank you" has lost it's value/meaning because of its overuse. (commonplace in this country I think with all the buzzwords and cliches, save that for another thread)



In a different case, is it right to say thanks to a waitress/waiter when they bring you your drink? How about when they refill it? Both part of they're job, right? Or no? They're working for tips and wages, do they need verbal gratitude as well as monitary?

That was thoughtful of you. You deserved to be thanked. Just because it is "commonplace" doesn't mean it isn't sincere. And yes, you should thank anyone who does something for you, whether they are paid for it or not.

 

[nakedfrog]

I vote no. Thanks.

 

[CRXican]

I voted no, I know I say it all the time at work. I don't expect a thank you when I hold a door but it's nice to hear.

 

[Zanix]

Originally posted by: CRXican
I voted no, I know I say it all the time at work. I don't expect a thank you when I hold a door but it's nice to hear.

i agree. How about this one though: I work at this hospital over the summers. When I went back this past summer, I noticed everybody was thanking me every day for being there. I was getting paid!! That's why I was there. I started thinking then that I wasn't getting paid enough. Like I was doing them a favor? eh.

 

[Mo0o]

thank you for making this post available for my perusal

 

[mobobuff]

The fact that you nudged the door farther than you needed to, to allow someone else to get through a little easier, shows that you were thinking of someone else. In this day and age, that qualifies for a 'thank you' in my book.

 

[Ketteringo]

My mother always taught me to remember my P's and Q's.

I always remember to say thanks

 

[jadinolf]

Thank you for a good thread.

 

[PeeluckyDuckee]

Thankyou for giving me this opportunity to reply to your post

These are things that are free and doesn't hurt you to say them. These are things that don't cost money and doesn't hurt me to say them if it'll help the situation. At work, almost every call I apologize for such and such and thank the customer for calling.

As time goes on things just come out naturally, a sort of habit you could say, not that I consciously make an effort to do so.

I do agree though that sometimes it can get long in the tooth during a call. Thank this, thank that, Mr. This, Mrs. That.

 

[Colt45]

Sometimes i thank people for pushin' the door.

 

[shilala]

My favorite line to douchebags at work...
"Just because you're a stupid fvcking construction worker doesn't mean you can't be polite. Try saying please once in awhile."
It gets results.
I always have the most polite crew on the job.

 

[FoBoT]

the politeness level in a society is a good barometer of the health of that society

 

[TwinkleToes77]

Personally, i don't hear 'Thank you" enough anymore. It seems everyone around where I live is too self involved to care about others.

 

[Crappopotamus]

I thank people if they hold the door out. I thank people for just about anything. Its just courtesy.

 

[NikPreviousAcct]

I hear "thank you" way too often. I don't thank anyone unless I'm actually thankful. While not nearly on the same level, it's the same concept of "I love you". Everyone uses it and nobody knows WTF it means anymore.

 

[voodoochylde]

IMO, it's not used enough. Working as a cashier/produce clerk/grocery clerk/file maintenance clerk/office manager has proven that most people haven't got any manners - especially not towards someone in a uniform. A thank you really does make a difference if I've put up with a customer who has forgotten their Loyalty Card, is unwilling to try their phone number, and holds up my damned line for 10 minutes while they "run out to their car real quick" to find it...only to come back and have to beg one from another customer who has graciously sat there patiently.

Ok, so I'm bitter...people suck and most need to re-learn some manners that should've been beaten into them as children.