Don’t Curtail Your Courtesy
Where did all the pleases and thank yous go? In a world filled with screens and ChatGPT prompts, it’s easy to forget basic manners—you may not think to thank the bus driver or the server who clears your table, but we’re here to change your mind! A simple thank you holds a lot of weight, and these scenarios deserve one every time.
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1. When Getting a Gift—Even If You Hate It
Not every gift is a home run, but it’s just bad manners to admit that openly. Whether or not you truly appreciate the gesture, it’s important to show your gratitude for someone who went out of their way to grab you something…even if you regift.
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2. When Getting Off the Bus
Bus drivers catch a lot of flak, often for things out of their control. Between verbal abuse and grumbling passengers, it’s no wonder they’re hidden behind protective barriers! Why not make their day and thank them for the ride before getting off? It’s a small gesture, but it goes a long way.
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3. When Someone Clears the Table
It doesn’t matter if you’re at home or in a restaurant—thank someone when they clear the table! It’s an easy way to show appreciation for the hospitality; it’s arguably more important in a restaurant because servers and busboys rarely receive gratitude for “doing their jobs.”
4. If Someone Offers Advice
We’re not talking about unsolicited advice. We’re talking about those heart-to-heart moments with loved ones. Our inner circle provides all sorts of wisdom we wouldn’t get otherwise, and it’s worth thanking them for the knowledge.
5. If Someone Asks You For Advice
On the other hand, it’s just as important to thank someone for trusting you. In today’s world, you never really know who’s on your side, and it’s nice to know that people rely on you for advice or guidance.
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6. In Customer Service
We’ve all struggled with technology or an annoying product before. But if you think you’re having a bad day, just wait until you speak with customer service employees! A lot of these poor employees take the brunt of angry consumers, all without a fair day’s pay, so it’s important to thank them for their hard work.
7. After a Compliment
Not everyone does well with compliments, but that’s no reason to fluff them off. Remember that kind words do just as much for the giver as the recipient, and sneering at the gesture can put both of you in a bad mood. Thank them for the kind word, even if it’s hard.
8. When Someone Holds the Door
Most manners have gone out the window nowadays, but they haven’t gone out the door! This classic gesture may seem rarer in today’s world, but that’s all the more reason to thank someone for doing it.
9. After Constructive Criticism
Constructive criticism can feel rough. However, once the jitters wear off and you take a step back, it’s easier to see just how useful it is sometimes. Thanking someone for hard truths not only makes you a team player, it also makes the criticism easier to swallow.
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10. When Someone Listens to You
There’s nothing more comforting than a loved one who listens. It’s easy to forgo gratitude when we’re used to such kindness, but you should thank the shoulders you cry on; knowing someone took the time to listen makes all the difference between a bad day and a good one.
11. If Someone Offers a Favor
Did someone help you move? Did they work alongside you on a big work project? Sounds like “thank you” is in order! You’d probably like it if your hard work didn’t go unnoticed, so don’t forget the golden rule.
12. When Anyone Takes Your Order
When was the last time you thanked the barista for taking your order? What about that fast food worker at the window? Thanking people for everyday gestures goes a long way, and it can put you in a better mood to show that level of kindness.
13. After a Job Interview
We know, we know, it’s not the ‘70s anymore. You don’t just walk up to the manager and hand them your resume. You don’t thank people after interviews anymore either—but you should! A quick thank you email can help distinguish you from other candidates, and it shows you still maintain a level of professionalism.
14. After Small, But Meaningful, Gestures
Kind-hearted gestures deserve recognition, no matter how small. Whether your partner bought your favorite snack or a friend calls to see how you’re doing, those little acts show just how much people care.
15. For Simply Being a Good Friend
We sometimes take our friends for granted, even if we don’t mean to. While you don’t need to call your friend and thank them (though that’s also an option), you can still express gratitude in other ways! Invite them to dinner. Buy them a little gift. Write a heartfelt card. However you do it, friends love reminders of your connection.
16. When Someone Delivers a Package
It’s always a little awkward to catch the mail carrier mid-delivery, but it’s also a great chance to thank them. A kind word means even more in adverse weather—after all, we wouldn’t want to drive in the middle of winter!
17. When Someone Invites You Out
Going out for dinner can reset the soul, so why not thank someone for the invite? Even if it’s at someone’s house for a delicious home-cooked meal, a great dinner lets the wine and conversation spill.
18. If You Think Someone’s Underappreciated
Not everyone gets the credit they deserve, and that’s exactly where you come in. From underappreciated employees to friends left on the wayside, extending gratitude lets them know that you’re in their corner.
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19. When Someone Forgives You
Apologies are important, but forgiveness isn’t always guaranteed. That’s why it’s worth thanking someone when they give you that grace. Thanking someone in tough moments can bring you closer and prove just how much their friendship means to you.
20. When in Doubt
We don’t know about you, but we’d rather someone tire of hearing thank you than not hear it at all! When in doubt, there’s no shame in thanking someone—even if it makes you look “too polite” to other people. There’s no such thing in our books.
