Do you usually say "thank you" or "thanks" :) ?

Question

If you use both, when and why do you use each?

How do you feel when people say "thank you" or "thanks" to you? Does that make any difference?

Where are you from? Is English your first language? I'm asking because I get the impression that this makes a difference in how you feel about this.

Thank you for your answer! :)

Have a wonderful day! :)

Answer 1

Familiar: thanks. Business, new people, etc. thank you.

It makes a big difference. Same goes for:
Yep/yup/sure and Yes,
or Yes and Yes please.

Answer 2

Well honey, saying 'Thank You' and 'Thanks' doesn't make any difference though as they are all the same. It's only the way you say it and the tone used that will tell the difference in whether one is sincere on saying the 2 phrases.

To me, it's already a habit from young that whenever someone helped me or give me a gift, I will say 'Thank You' or 'Thanks' as polite as I can to make the sender or assistant feel happy though. That may help us more as we can help each other and stay as friends too.

If I were to be the sender and people were to say either 'Thank You' or 'Thanks', I will gleefully reply 'You're Welcome' or 'It's My Pleasure' so as to give people the impression that I'm someone whom people wants to meet though.

I am a Singaporean who speaks English most of the time though. Furthermore, English has been Internationally recognised and Singapore is one whereas majorities speak English.

Cheers and have a nice week ahead :)

Answer 3

English is my first, second, third and fourth language. I generally use thank you, but will use thanks in off-handed and casual situations, seldom with people who are unfamiliar. In French I use Merci bien or beau, in German Dankeshön or sehr or Immer Danks, in Japanese Domo Arigato dashimashiteh ( rather than just Arigato). I'm from Illinois, both Chicago and southern (old family), have lived and worked in Ontario and Quebec. Being an Anglican priest my English tends toward a good deal more formality than many people's

Answer 4

I come from a small town in West Virginia, where "thank you" is something you hear a lot. Most people are very courteous, and friendly, but sometimes I think the words are used to often, so a lot of the time I don't believe it would make much difference if you used it or not. Also coming from a military background, I believe I am way to nice to people. I often will go out of my way to be nice, and often put myself at a disadvantage, but "thank you", and "thanks" is probably something I say in every conversation, making it something I might not really mean.

Answer 5

Hi, English is my first language. I say both, I think I say Thank You more though. I say Thanks if I have already say the full 'Thank You', and just want to re-thank them again, in that case I say Thanks again. I think I use Thanks more when typing an email, or thanking people on Y!A for their comments. I hope my answer helped.
Thank you and you have a wonderful day too!

Answer 6

yep, use both, somewhat interchangeable. Used to let folks know that I sincerely appreciate something they have done for me or in my behalf. Either is also a gesture of sincerity,that I accept in the same manner as I would extend it.

I'm from Michigan USA, and that's the way I was brung up.

Answer 7

I use both.

I feel apprciated, as though I made a real diffrence doing what I did.

I'm from Texas (and do not sound like a hillbilly--ignorant generalizations.) English is my first language.

Answer 8

Normally I say "thank you" I think emphasizing the YOU just sends the message home.

Generally if I say 'thanks' I am kind of being sarcastic. Like if someone just enters a door and lets it close and I am right behind them with a armload of stuff I might say "thanks".

I am American (from Kentucky) and English is my first language.

Answer 9

Saying thank you is a formal manner reserved for formal engagements and such. Saying thanks is an informal manner generally reserved for friends and family. And yes, sometimes it does make people feel better if you say thank you instead of thanks, therefore you should also decide accordingly based on the situation. English (American) is my first language. Thanks for asking! "Have a nice day"!

Answer 10

I use both. If I'm talking to a friend I say Thanks. If I'm talking to someone in a professional manner, then I say Thank you. I also use Thank you if I want my response to express my heartfelt thanks, or sincerity.

I welcome any thanks, whether it's a Thanks or a Thank you, or a pat on the back, it usually does not make any difference to me.

I'm from Texas and English is my first language.

Answer 11

I'm American and I think both are fine. Perhaps Thank you is for formal (when sending a thank you card).