How hard is it to say thank you?
It really isn’t is it? It takes about two seconds of your time, absolutely no effort at all and it is one surefire way of making other people think that you are in fact a decent human being.
So why is saying thank you going out of fashion?
I can name quite a few instances from just the last few days, where a simple thank you was required and I was left hanging, disappointed and shamed by my fellow humans.
Driving is the worst.
Well, people driving to be more precise. You know the ones, you sit patiently and give way to them and they speed past you without a glance, no wave or nod of the head to acknowledge your kind deed.
“It’s obviously national drive like a twat day.” I often mutter silently under my breath. “Again.” Again, because I said that the day before and the day before that.
Once again, I ask the question, is it so hard to say thank you?
Children are the second offenders. Mine are just as guilty as any other. Take, take, take and often without a simple thank you. They were all dragged up with a good grounding of manners, saying pleases and thank yous at all the right times, but as they have grown older, those days seem to be well and truly over. Along with all of the other things I seem to nag about, I often have to remind them that it costs nothing to say thank you. Ye gods, I am in danger of turning into my grandmother.
Oh but I do get the occasional text from the teen that simply says “ty”. I am assuming that this is text speak for thank you? Better than nothing I suppose.
But are they simply mimicking the adults around them? We live in a fast-paced society. Everyone is busy, time poor, distracted by the digital, maybe we aren’t always showing them the best example. I see lots of examples of adults who don’t seem to understand the concept, or if they do, they hide it well. Maybe it is a sign of the general demise of good manners?
We all make mistakes and get distracted from time to time, don’t get me wrong, but to me, saying thank you is important. It shows respect, gratitude. It is a small gesture which shows someone that you appreciate what they have done for you, however big and small. Saying thank you costs nothing but means everything.
Who will you be saying thank you to today?
Oh and of course, thank you for reading.
Amen to this! Sadly I’ve seen examples of my eldest recently just failing to say those all important words. For me, it is instinctive, and that’s how I brought my kids up too.
And don’t get me started on those drivers, particularly when I’m waiting like an absolute idiot when it’s MY RIGHT OF WAY and they still don’t say it! Grrrr!