Whatever happened to the words thank you?

Question

Proper manners seem to have left us forever. I help people every day and never hear these two words. It's almost as if people "expect" you to help them or are too busy with their own problems to say it. Believe me; silence does not express gratitude.

Answer 1

Manners left when arrogance and crudity began to be celebrated. It's no surprise that the decline of US society accelerated (it already was going downhill, it's just faster now) after the 1970s, when the rudeness of "bad boy" US tennis players (Connors, McEnroe, etc.) became acceptable in other areas and with the rise of sports channels.

How interesting it is that small towns tend to have few or no cable channels and better manners. Why do you think it is that most hockey players (small town boys) have better manners than baseball, football or (the worst) basketball players, the latter who almost all come from urban areas?

It's not entirely a lost art, you know.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/arash_markazi/01/02/inside.boise/2.html

"I've been getting a lot of compliments about you guys from people
at the hotel, security, media; great job guys. If you don't think
saying please and thank you means something, it does. It's important
to do things the right way."

- Chris Petersen, head coach of the Boise State Broncos, at a team meeting before the Fiesta Bowl


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Answer 2

Thank you went out the window right along with please & being considerate of others. And service with a smile. I'm amazed at the # of employers who keep employees who act as though you are bothering them. Also less courtesy on the road; people who don't let others change lanes or who don't leave an opening for people to turn into a side street or get out of one. The list goes on. Too many people; too few manners.

Answer 3

I look people in the eyes and say those words many times every day--both away from home and at home to my family. Although it was the way that I was raised, I say it because I truly appreciate the things that people say and do for me.

Answer 4

To take it one step further, what happened to the words You're Welcome? Here in Florida it seems acceptable to say Un Hunh if someone says thank you. If someone holds the door open for me, I ALWAYS look them in the eye and say thank you. A little bit of manners go a long way in this world. It doesn't cost anything to be polite.

Answer 5

tell me about it! UGH!!!! i'm 8 months pregnant and tremendous huge... i replaced into in a hectic, crowded shoe keep the different day, balancing on one foot at the same time as attempting on a shoe, at the same time as immediately an truly rude lady and her teen stormed proper previous me, knocking into me consisting of her body and massive handbag and virtually knocking me over. they did not even hardship to assert excuse me or warn me that they were coming via, and obviously did not turn again to assert they were sorry both. i'd have thrown a shoe container at their heads.

Answer 6

I have made sure to teach my 3 year old to say Thank You to everything appropriate. You're right, I don't think every parent is teaching their child very good manners lately

Answer 7

manners left with the word respect. most have no respect for people these days so of course they arnt going to display manners.

Answer 8

i agree that silence does not express gratitude....
it amazes me every time i go shopping how the cashiers refuse to say a single word to me...no "hello", "please" or "thank you.....even if i greet them first-they still say nothing.......i can't imagine some-one saying "good morning" to me and just staring back at them silently....it is beyond rude

Answer 9

Lack of home training. People aren't taught basic manners anymore such as please and thank you. I don't know why we haven't gotten away from this but I wish that it would come back.

Answer 10

Youll see it here and there but I think some see it as a weakness.