When you say "thank you" to someone, and they go "mm hmm." is that bad?

Question

i see that a lot! In public. At restaurants or stores. Is it bad for them to do that, instead of saying "you're welcome"?

Answer 1

At least they acknowledge it.. So its okay..

Answer 2

That is just proof that their mother did not teach them any manners. There are many different appropriate responses, like "My pleasure!", but this is certainly not one of them. Even worse is to say nothing at all, which frequently happens when I thank cashiers or others in the service industry for waiting on me. It is appalling how rude some people can be. I will frequently use this as a gage for how large of a tip to leave. If I repeatedly thank my waitress for all she does, and I get no response, I may even in some cases decide to not tip. If I get a polite response and good service, they can get up to forty percent! One of my quirks, I guess. :) We all have our own.

Answer 3

It's rather rude and no way to treat a customer. "You're welcome" is the bare minimum. Better is, "You're very welcome." Much better is, "Happy to have helped," or any variation on the idea that the clerk or waiter is there to be of service--not just hanging around waiting for their paycheck or their friend to call. The customer is the only reason the business exists and makes jobs. They should be treated better than they expect and spending their money should be as easy and pleasurable as is reasonably possible.

Answer 4

I don't think it's bad and better than no acknowledgment. It's more polite to say you're welcome.

Maybe you're implying that in our fast paced world, people end up ignoring good manners.

But if you bought something from the store and the salesperson says thank you, then you don't have to respond. If they provided good service then it usualy merits a thank you back.

Answer 5

I agree with one of the other answerers, who said that at least your "Thank You" was acknowledged. While it may not be the best way to respond to a polite, "Thank You," it is important to remember that not everyone is brought up alike, and have different ways of expressing themselves, meaning no offense to the other person. So, I don't think it is "bad"--just DIFFERENT than the way I personally would respond.

Answer 6

I believe it depends of the tone of the voice. I know from experience if it's high and pitch-the mean it ; but if they use a soft/low tone-then most of the time they are just trying to be professional and discreet-because they really don't care-but that's not the case all the time-sometimes they just tune out, but it's not like they do it out of spite.

Answer 7

I would have to say it is rude. When someone does that it is half @55ed. Etiquette goes like this... Someone does something for someone. The person who received the favour thanks the other person, and in return that person says your welcome. Saying mm hmm, is KIND OF LIKE saying yeah whatever. you are expressing acknowledgement, but you are not returning the pleasantry.

Answer 8

depends on the tone they use. if its a higher pitch, happy sounding "mm hmm" then it's good, if its a careless lower pitch "mm hmm" then it's probably bad.

Answer 9

No, I don't think that it's bad. I believe it is some form of acknowledgement.

Answer 10

Maybe lazy but not really bad.

Answer 11

Even I go "mm hmmm". Basically, I am not comfortable, and am not sure of how to respond when someone thanks me, though I am a "Thank You"er.