The Importance of Saying “Thank You”… by JoAnn
I learned many years ago the importance of the “Golden Ruleâ€: Treat others as you would have them treat you. It’s not only a biblical rule found in Matthew, but a practical one for any culture. My parents and teachers taught me this principle. Throughout my life I have had friends who taught me the importance of this rule, and the many ways it can lead to success. It is one of the simplest rules to remember and follow. Or so you would think.
One of my few pet peeves has got to be when a person does not say “Thank youâ€. Sometimes the words aren’t so important if you can clearly see with your eyes the appreciation, usually through the look on their face or a smile. A big smile can cover a multitude of unspoken words. But on average, through general communication in daily life, the words need to be verbalized.
For my need for peace, I have learned to have a golden rule attitude when in public. I consider everyone is out in the world, just trying to make it through another day, just like me. I try to always keep an understanding that I know nothing about what a person may go through in their personal life, and to not judge if their reactions are not what I would like them to be.
Perhaps the cashier at the grocery store is overwhelmed by the overflow of customers that have all checked out at the same time. Maybe she has a sick baby at home she’s worried about. Perhaps her boss has warned her for the last time about making a mistake at her job. Maybe that mechanic is more worried about how he will make his house payment this month, than he is about your oil change. There could be a million different reasons.
The point is, I try to not let rudeness, or the lack of basic manners by another person get to me. But sometimes, dang it, it is hard! Usually when I give someone my business, I expect some gratitude. After all, I am giving them my money. If it’s only a smile, or a “come back soon†sails out that drive-thru window, I feel appreciated. But when I am not even acknowledged, as though I am a robot on the other end of my debit card, I get a little aggravated. What can I say, I am human?
It’s all minor in the big scope of things, but little things add up. Just like I believe being kind in small ways can add up to something big, I believe being unkind in little ways can add up as well. Like someone getting the impression that you are a rude, uncaring person, when the opposite may actually be true. Who would want that?
Perhaps I am way too sensitive and should not take things so personally. I will continue to work on my shortcoming of letting someone’s lack of saying “Thank you†perturb me and continue trying my best to live by the golden rule. I will choose to be polite and sweet to people even when it goes unnoticed by them. After all, you never know when a smile or kind word can actually change someone’s day, or even their entire outlook on life at that moment. Even if they don’t respond, just maybe they will hear it, and that’s all that matters.
