The Lost Art of Saying Thank You
It's such a simple thing, isn't it? That ol' "Please" and "Thank You"?
Not so much any more. The only place I consistently get a "thank you" is on the screen at the gas pump after I tap "no receipt" following my fill.
When was the last time you purchased something from a store and the cashier thanked you?? Usually they tell me "There ya go" or "Have a nice day" and I end up thanking them.
How odd is it that a customer thanks a store rep for allowing us to spend our own money at our discretion where they are employed?
Sometimes, when I'm told "There ya go" I agree and say "Here I go!" The front-line person could care less and hasn't been trained to serve.
Recently I shopped at a local clothing outlet store for several items to replace things I had worn out. I carted colors and sizes back and forth to the fitting rooms. Not one employee spoke to me. They chatted with each other as they buttoned and folded, but barely cast a glance in my direction as I passed them in my quest for my needed items. While I was standing in front of a display, attempting to determine whether an item would work with the clothes in my closet, one worker actually reached around me to re-fold items in front of me. Did she ask me if I had any questions?
The only reason I didn't walk out empty handed was because I knew it would take hours, miles and numerous other stores to find the same category items I held in my arms. While pleased with my replacement purchase, I was disappointed with the utter lack of customer service. And yes, the only thing that was said to me prior to saying "there you go" was "would you like to save 10% today by opening our credit card?"
A number of years ago, my husband and I sold a house at a loss but still had a large amount of $ (at least to us) due. I took the cashier check from closing to deposit. The kid at the bank did the transaction without a blink or a thanks. When I chided him, he gave us a coin celebrating the Pony Express. I would have rather had a thank-you.
What about saying thank you to a friend or a family member? For anything?
It could be a dinner or a gift or some muscle helping you move or lift. A nice thank-you would do. Although the once-popular card would be great, even an email or call works. (Sorry, texting a thank you will always be a huge no-no in my book.) In a world gone by, we showed up for the dinner with some flowers or a hostess gift (*Hostess Gift = thoughtful gesture given to host upon arrival in appreciation for the invitation*).
I'm not saying that you gift every time you guest, but please be aware. It may look easy to you when you walk in the door, but effort was behind every plate. It's so easy to forget when we are on the receiving end, but on the hosting end someone planned and prepped. So thank them.
We are the king and queen of hosting meals, giving away furniture and loaning things out. To our dismay, some of the most unexpected people did not say thank you. Several churches didn't thank us for large furniture donations, merely treated us as business. Others haven't thanked us for food or meals. With the exception of a few, most people we have fed and dined with in our home have thanked us.
Side comment: Over-thanking isn't possible. There are many ways to voice appreciation.
Sadly, due to our circumstances we loaned out a new appliance for several years and when it was finally returned it no longer worked. Not only was there no "thank you" when the dented and chipped "new" thing was returned, when we were confused and asked if it had been working all they said was "yes". No follow up or concern. We had to junk it. This was from supposedly good friends. Ouch. "We're sorry" would have gone a long way rather than that random drop off when we weren't home.
How does any of this go from excitement to thanklessness? Haven't we all been recipients of generosity or a great deal and weren't we just sooo pumped??
What has happened to our culture when people care more about things on a subjective level? It's good for me, period. Forget about you when I'm embarrassed or don't need you anymore. Sand, here comes my head!
And. When someone behind the counter realizes their store wouldn't be in business without all of us on the other side spending our hard-earned dollars, maybe they would say thanks because the customer is why they are able to have that job.
Personally, I'd like them to say "thank you" because they mean it. Don't even get me started on "you're welcome".
Not so much any more. The only place I consistently get a "thank you" is on the screen at the gas pump after I tap "no receipt" following my fill.
When was the last time you purchased something from a store and the cashier thanked you?? Usually they tell me "There ya go" or "Have a nice day" and I end up thanking them.
How odd is it that a customer thanks a store rep for allowing us to spend our own money at our discretion where they are employed?
Sometimes, when I'm told "There ya go" I agree and say "Here I go!" The front-line person could care less and hasn't been trained to serve.
Recently I shopped at a local clothing outlet store for several items to replace things I had worn out. I carted colors and sizes back and forth to the fitting rooms. Not one employee spoke to me. They chatted with each other as they buttoned and folded, but barely cast a glance in my direction as I passed them in my quest for my needed items. While I was standing in front of a display, attempting to determine whether an item would work with the clothes in my closet, one worker actually reached around me to re-fold items in front of me. Did she ask me if I had any questions?
The only reason I didn't walk out empty handed was because I knew it would take hours, miles and numerous other stores to find the same category items I held in my arms. While pleased with my replacement purchase, I was disappointed with the utter lack of customer service. And yes, the only thing that was said to me prior to saying "there you go" was "would you like to save 10% today by opening our credit card?"
A number of years ago, my husband and I sold a house at a loss but still had a large amount of $ (at least to us) due. I took the cashier check from closing to deposit. The kid at the bank did the transaction without a blink or a thanks. When I chided him, he gave us a coin celebrating the Pony Express. I would have rather had a thank-you.
What about saying thank you to a friend or a family member? For anything?
It could be a dinner or a gift or some muscle helping you move or lift. A nice thank-you would do. Although the once-popular card would be great, even an email or call works. (Sorry, texting a thank you will always be a huge no-no in my book.) In a world gone by, we showed up for the dinner with some flowers or a hostess gift (*Hostess Gift = thoughtful gesture given to host upon arrival in appreciation for the invitation*).
I'm not saying that you gift every time you guest, but please be aware. It may look easy to you when you walk in the door, but effort was behind every plate. It's so easy to forget when we are on the receiving end, but on the hosting end someone planned and prepped. So thank them.
We are the king and queen of hosting meals, giving away furniture and loaning things out. To our dismay, some of the most unexpected people did not say thank you. Several churches didn't thank us for large furniture donations, merely treated us as business. Others haven't thanked us for food or meals. With the exception of a few, most people we have fed and dined with in our home have thanked us.
Side comment: Over-thanking isn't possible. There are many ways to voice appreciation.
Sadly, due to our circumstances we loaned out a new appliance for several years and when it was finally returned it no longer worked. Not only was there no "thank you" when the dented and chipped "new" thing was returned, when we were confused and asked if it had been working all they said was "yes". No follow up or concern. We had to junk it. This was from supposedly good friends. Ouch. "We're sorry" would have gone a long way rather than that random drop off when we weren't home.
How does any of this go from excitement to thanklessness? Haven't we all been recipients of generosity or a great deal and weren't we just sooo pumped??
What has happened to our culture when people care more about things on a subjective level? It's good for me, period. Forget about you when I'm embarrassed or don't need you anymore. Sand, here comes my head!
And. When someone behind the counter realizes their store wouldn't be in business without all of us on the other side spending our hard-earned dollars, maybe they would say thanks because the customer is why they are able to have that job.
Personally, I'd like them to say "thank you" because they mean it. Don't even get me started on "you're welcome".
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