It is important to respond correctly to the word “thank you.” Beautiful phrases will help strengthen friendships and relationships.
Gratitude is always nice. But how to respond to the word “thank you” ? And is it necessary to do this? After all, we are used to not saying anything if someone thanks us. At best, we just smile and say a simple phrase - something like “please.”
Read another article on our website on the topic: “How to respond to the words “Good morning”, “Good afternoon”?” . You will find interesting options, cool, original answers.
This article describes how to properly respond to gratitude, and whether you need to say anything at all. Read on.
Is it necessary to respond with a “thank you”?
The word “thank you”
From an early age, a person is taught to thank others for their affection, congratulations and gifts. The very word “thank you” is a mandatory norm of politeness. As a rule, it says that the person is polite and well-mannered, he knows how to accept signs of attention, and is aware of their value. However, some people respond to words of gratitude. And some simply ignore them and pretend that nothing happened. What to do in this case? Do you need to respond if you are thanked for something?
- In fact, it all depends on the situation.
- In some cases, an air kiss, a handshake, or just a kind, fleeting smile is enough. The person will understand that you heard his gratitude and he will be pleased.
- But remember also that the word “thank you” is not always said with kindness and sincerity. Sometimes this is a sign of mockery (“well, thank you, I’m friendly”). If a word is used in a negative way, it would be wiser to simply remain silent. And pretend that no one noticed the interlocutor’s barbs.
Common versions of the “thank you” :
- "You're welcome"
- “Thank you”
- "Do not mention it"
- "No big deal, don't pay attention"
- "Glad you liked it"
- "I'm glad you enjoyed it"
- “I was glad to help you”
- “I was glad to please you”
- “If you need more help, please contact me” and so on
It all depends on the specific situation. However, you need to respond to “thank you” . Why? With the phrases “contact us”, “you’re welcome” and the like, we seem to strengthen our psychological contact with the interlocutor, and the friendship grows stronger.
In some cases, it is worth emphasizing that it was easy and even joyful for you to do something nice for a person. Then he will understand that you treat him very well, and he will want to communicate with you more often. You can also notice how important the person is. The main idea: “for someone so dear to your heart, you don’t feel sorry for money, material goods, food, or time . As they say: “praise and honor to the distinguished guest” !
However, psychologists do not recommend using the “you’re welcome” . In their understanding, it means lost profits. And it minimizes the significance of the efforts that a person makes. It's best to say:
- "Always at your service"
- "Contact"
- "I'm glad you liked it"
- “I was glad to help,” etc.
Naturally, in this case, you should approach with a kind smile and peacefully - and not as if you are doing your interlocutor a favor.
Also good options:
- "It's the least I could do for you"
- "Let's be numbered"
- "It's nothing"
- “Always happy to cooperate”
- “That’s why we are friends, to help each other”
- “Don’t thank me, today I helped you, and tomorrow you will help me”
- “It’s not worth thanking for such little things”
- “No problem”, “welcome!”
- "I can do everything for you!"
- “Be kind!” etc.
Now you know that you need to respond to words of gratitude and you know how to do it. Below is even more useful information. Read on.
Criticize directly
The ability to directly express complaints is a rare skill. More often, people use hints or passive aggression - either to avoid offending, or to seem more polite themselves. Either way it comes out fake.
Directness is strength:
Crooked
- Sasha, here’s a gift for you - the book “Write, Cut.” She literally opens her eyes to how to formulate her thoughts using Russian letters. Highly recommend :-)))))
- Okay, since your schedule is so busy, I'll see you on Tuesday.
Directly
- Sasha, I won’t be able to take this text to the site, because it contains a lot of unnecessary words. It needs to be edited. Try the site
- Kolya, you promised that you would help me, but now you refuse. It is unpleasant. […]
There is no philosophy here. Hidden, passive-aggressive, allegorical, politically correct and any other indirect criticism is disrespect for a person. The meaning of disrespect is that the interlocutor considers himself very smart, and his colleague too touchy. And in order to carefully caress this baby, you need to iron it and dry it. And so you, my touchy child, are a nonentity. Not like me, I’m brilliant and intelligent.
The best way to build relationships at work is to speak directly about the problem. There is at least respect in this: “I treat you as an equal. I can speak to you directly, you will understand me.”
It is wrong to think that a colleague should figure out the problem himself. He has his own point of view, he does not see the situation the way we see it. He may not be aware of the problem. He needs help.
Criticism should not be insulting, but respectful, with an emphasis on facts. It's a good idea to criticize a person privately, rather than publicly, so that he doesn't have to "save face" in front of his colleagues. […]
How to respond to the word “thank you” after eating?
The word “thank you”
Having fed a dear guest lunch or dinner, the hosts will be very pleased to hear words of gratitude from him. After all, they were preparing for the arrival of a person in the house, cleaning and cooking. That is why saying “thank you” when getting up from the table after a meal is considered a sign of good upbringing.
Moreover, in many families “thank you” to their relatives for eating: for example, a husband to his wife, children to their parents, etc. This is also considered quite normal. After all, when preparing food, a person spends his time and effort, he puts his warmth and love into preparing the dish. And he sincerely hopes that it will be tasty and that others will like it. This is why eaters should not be indifferent. They are obliged to thank the cook. But it will be awkward if there is a tense pause after this phrase (“thank you”). What can the hostess answer in this case? How to respond to the word “thank you” after eating?
Many people use phrases like:
- Cheers! (a universal phrase, both with strangers and with relatives).
- Let it go for good! (this refers to the benefit to the eater from the dish).
- We are glad that you appreciated our (or my) culinary efforts! (the phrase shows that the cook really wanted his dish to be liked).
- Eat, don’t get dirty (more negative version, mockery).
If you want to answer with humor, then look for phrases below in the text. Read on.
What is a gratitude journal and how to keep one
This is your faithful assistant on the path to contentment in life. Make it a habit to write down 10 things you can be grateful for every day.
You can write down your gratitude list on paper, on your tablet, or on your phone. Don't put off starting a diary. This rule, by the way, helps get rid of procrastination. So, here's an example of a diary entry.
Today, September 30th, I am grateful
