How often do you say thank you?

Pollycat

moneyistooshorttomention wrote: »

Echoing the point above that it's a nice idea to give out a compliment if it's due. I will comment even to a passing stranger in the street that lurks around long enough near me if I think their clothes or hair or something look good. They've always "brightened up" and smiled to hear something like "You look elegant"/"You've got nice hair" or whatever. Someone who has made the effort to look good or is lucky enough to have nice hair is unusual enough to be worthy of note imo and will treat it as a compliment (because it is).

I posted this a while ago on a thread about conversations in ladies toilets:

Pollycat wrote: »

Actually, I've had some really good conversations with complete strangers in ladies toilets.
Once on a weekend in Newcastle, I came out of the loo into a very small area and said "can I just....." and the lady said "oh, sorry, let me move out of your way"

I said "no, I just want to say your hair looks fab" - a glossy bob in a vivid red (before it was 'on trend') - and she said "just had it done, pet, thanks so much".
Upshot was she invited me & OH to the next pub with a big group (people who know Geordies will 'get' this) and we had a fab evening.

I often compliment complete strangers on their shoes or dresses.

And I've only ever got positive, pleased responses.

Re the poster who says you've got too much time on your hands and aren't supposed to talk to strangers - it's either tongue-in-cheek or designed to inflame.
Either way, I'm sure our world is a much more pleasant place to be.

AubreyMac

I too practice The Secret and start my day saying Thank You the very first thing.


Being thankful has totally changed my outlook, it's got me to be more mindful.


As I arrived in work I said Thank You for a safe and straight forward journey.


When I get home I do the same thing, when I do a food shop I'm thankful that I have choices.


Before bed I go mentally go through my day listing 5 things that I'm grateful for that day.


The more thankful you are, the more you will have to be thankful for.


Even in the face of adversity it helps. A few months ago I received 4 notifications through my door from my freeholder informing me of upcoming works, I always fear this as I just don't know how much it will cost and it certainly causes anxiety. I sat down and wrote a list of things I was thankful for about it. Things like: the works is taking place to ensure my health, safety & security, it'll add value to my property, thankful for the works that were completed before my purchase of my flat, I don't need to sort out contractors etc, I trust my freeholder. See it really did help get things into perspective.


In terms of services I say Thank You out of habit without really thinking about it.


But like with the word 'sorry', I wouldn't consciously say it if I didn't mean it.

moneyistooshorttomention

sammyjammy wrote: »

Me too:D and I always say sorry if someone bumps into me or pushes past me.

Now I wouldnt do that. If they say "sorry" and are genuinely sorry - then they would get the American "That's alright" in response.

If they say nothing - but should have apologised - then I'll quite likely say what they should have just said to me (eg "I'm sorry" or "Excuse me" or whatever) - but in a sarcastic tone of voice (ie letting them know that is what they should have just said - but didnt).

NineDeuce

I am much more likely to be mannerful when I am set to financially or materially benefit from a given situation.

I can put up with disapproving glares if necessary.

Pollycat

NineDeuce wrote: »

I am much more likely to be mannerful when I am set to financially or materially benefit from a given situation.

I can put up with disapproving glares if necessary.

Lordy!
That's a really depressing outlook you have on life.

NBLondon

I'm intrigued by how many of you feel the need to thank a bus driver... I can sort of understand it in a small place or a regular run where you might see the same driver every week but here in London it seems quite weird. Now - if they've seen me sprint for the bus and waited 30 seconds then, of course, I thank them because they've done something directly for me - but shouting "Thank You Driver!" down the length of the bus seems ostentatious to me. Do you also run up to the end of the platform to thank a train driver when you arrive somewhere?

I thank shop assistants, checkout operators, baristas and the like when I get the service/goods. That's the point, isn't it? Otherwise it's a meaningless sound - equivalent to the robotic "Can I take your order please...." Mind you, the fact that I am actually looking at and talking to them rather than focused on a phone is a step up from some people.

M'wife is an over-apologiser - to the point of it being irritating sometimes. When she's ill, she apologises to me for not being good company. To my mind, that's not her fault and it's not necessarily an issue anyway.

bugslet

Pollycat wrote: »

I posted this a while ago on a thread about conversations in ladies toilets:

And I've only ever got positive, pleased responses.

Re the poster who says you've got too much time on your hands and aren't supposed to talk to strangers - it's either tongue-in-cheek or designed to inflame.
Either way, I'm sure our world is a much more pleasant place to be.

I do that - I think that sometimes it's water off a ducks back to some people, other times life might be really rough and a small compliment means something.

NineDeuce wrote: »

I am much more likely to be mannerful when I am set to financially or materially benefit from a given situation.

I can put up with disapproving glares if necessary.

Try operating from the reverse point of view, you might find that being nice makes people be nicer to you. It's not rocket science.

Pollycat wrote: »

Lordy!
That's a really depressing outlook you have on life.

Yep.

I'd rather stick pins in my eyes than practice the unmitigated twaddle that is the secret, but thanking other people and reflecting on your own good fortune in life when you have it and finding small pleasures when times are bleak, simply makes you happier,

NineDeuce

bugslet wrote: »

Try operating from the reverse point of view, you might find that being nice makes people be nicer to you. It's not rocket science.

,

Thanks for the (mildly patronising and overly serious) lecture. Try looking up the word 'irony'. You might find that people use it.

Rebecca_Palmer

every chance i get. i feel happy when i do it and i know i make the other person happy by thanking him or her. even for little things.

thankyou and a smile:

- opening the door (my kids)
- carrying my grocery bag (some stranger)
- giving me the weekly budget at home (my hubby)
- compliments given to me (anyone)

Pollycat

NBLondon wrote: »

I'm intrigued by how many of you feel the need to thank a bus driver... I can sort of understand it in a small place or a regular run where you might see the same driver every week but here in London it seems quite weird. Now - if they've seen me sprint for the bus and waited 30 seconds then, of course, I thank them because they've done something directly for me - but shouting "Thank You Driver!" down the length of the bus seems ostentatious to me. Do you also run up to the end of the platform to thank a train driver when you arrive somewhere?

The buses I mainly catch are between smallish villages and a small town.
I catch buses on 3 routes up to 6 days s week. I'm actually on my 4th different bus of the day.
So yes, I do see the same drivers on s regular basis.
There's one who, if he sees me locking the front door, will stop and ask if I'm catching the bus. The bus stop is only 50 yards away.
A lot of other drivers will wait at the bus stop if they see me running.
Of course a smile and 'hello' and 'thank you' to bus drivers feels appropriate to me but I can quite understand how you might not 'get it'.

As for thanking train drivers, I can't comment because I can't recall the last time I travelled by train.