Do you believe in giving thanks?

[QuickTwist]

To whom? To what? In/to what circumstances? And don't say thanksgiving for obvious reasons.

 

[Minuend]

I tend to use it as a "I understand how you've inconvenienced yourself for me and don't take that for granted as I value other people's time and energy". Sometimes I use thanks just as a "I see and respect you as a human being" type of thing. This extends to people in service, health care and generally anyone who inconvenienced themselves for me.

 

[Seteleechete]

Yes, mostly as an acknowledgement when something is done for you. I am more iffy about saying "sorry" when it has nothing to do with you. I guess it's also an acknowledgement thing. Huh, putting it that way, it starts sounding a bit less appalling. I still don't like it though.

 

[Grayman]

I tend to use it as a "I understand how you've inconvenienced yourself for me and don't take that for granted as I value other people's time and energy". Sometimes I use thanks just as a "I see and respect you as a human being" type of thing. This extends to people in service, health care and generally anyone who inconvenienced themselves for me.

Good one. Thanks for posting it

 

[Ex-User (13503)]

I do, pretty much every time it comes to mind.

Gratitude has some pretty well-documented benefits:

https://scholar.google.com/scholar?hl=en&q=gratitude+benefits&btnG=&as_sdt=1,5&oq=gratitude+bene

 

[PmjPmj]

Yes, of course. I usually sound somewhat robotic whilst trying to convey my genuinely sincere appreciation for someone going out of their way for me, but I do give thanks as and when the situation (in my mind) necessitates it.

It's a matter of dignity. I extend it to others who deserve it; I've always thought that extending dignity to another is perhaps one of the most 'humane' acts we have at our disposal.

Could just be me, of course.

 

[Rixus]

I have to be honest, I don't understand why we're supposed to say thanks every time someone serves you in a shop or please every time you order something. I know it's considered politeness, and I go along with it because it keeps everyone happy, but why it is so is beyond me. I don't need someone to say thanks every time I do my job or every time I hold a door open or hand them something. I'm gonna do it anyway and don't need to feel any appreciation - just do it yourself when it's required.

On the other hand, I don't forget to show gratitude when it is earned or when someone does something major for me when they didn't have to. And I will be grateful as few ever do. I'd rather the words of gratitude weren't so over used, though, as they seem to have lost their meaning.

But I didn't make the rules, so I have to go with how it is.

 

[reloaded]

Yes, of course. I usually sound somewhat robotic whilst trying to convey my genuinely sincere appreciation for someone going out of their way for me, but I do give thanks as and when the situation (in my mind) necessitates it.

It's a matter of dignity. I extend it to others who deserve it; I've always thought that extending dignity to another is perhaps one of the most 'humane' acts we have at our disposal.

Could just be me, of course.

^ this. But my case is more extreme (for the first paragraph), people have suspected I was a cunning person because of how "fake" I seemed, especially my smile. I give up. I'll still do what I feel is needed, but it's up to them to think what they want to think.

Oh yeah but I must say, my smile does seem insincere. I noticed that my smile seems really dismissive as though I look down on everyone else. I couldn't monitor myself long enough to observe my other facial expressions. I'll just let it be, then. Perhaps I could try to smile more sincerely.

 

[PmjPmj]

It's strange how we frame things differently. You say "Politeness" which makes me screw my face up in an 'ew - fuck that' manner; I frame it as 'decency / principles' which gives me a hard on. Maybe it's a Te thing. Or a British thing.

Stiff upper lip, what what!

 

[Sinny91]

Politeness = decency, I think.

Everybody has my respect, up until the moment they loose it.

 

[PmjPmj]

I'm the other way entirely. Until they prove otherwise, people are shit and dickheads to me >__>

 

[Not Anyone To Care For]

I tend to use it as a "I understand how you've inconvenienced yourself for me and don't take that for granted as I value other people's time and energy". Sometimes I use thanks just as a "I see and respect you as a human being" type of thing. This extends to people in service, health care and generally anyone who inconvenienced themselves for me.

This is dead on

 

[Architect]

No, because giving thanks is invariably to some deity or another. I do believe in giving thanks to Humanity however. To all of the billions of individuals who have gone before me, and spent their lives, blood and tears building the wonderful work I live in. But nobody understands this point so I don't do it.

 

[GodOfOrder]

Why not read aloud "I Pencil" every thanksgiving? It seems just as fitting.

But yeah, I acknowledge that a lot of people work hard, and that through mere chance I was born into a comfortable position in life. There is no rhyme or reason to it, no gods, no providence, but I certainly appreciate what I have and think it is healthy to reflect on it. It lends one a sense of humility and contentment.

Plus, I am in favor of any holiday that fosters pro social behavior, provides a brief respite from the tumult of everyday life, and otherwise brings people together.

 

[Reluctantly]

Yes, I believe in giving thanks by giving me your money.

 

[QuickTwist]

No, because giving thanks is invariably to some deity or another. I do believe in giving thanks to Humanity however. To all of the billions of individuals who have gone before me, and spent their lives, blood and tears building the wonderful work I live in. But nobody understands this point so I don't do it.

I understand, but I also understand why you don't believe in thanking people. Its really quite logical.

 

[QuickTwist]

Yes, I believe in giving thanks by giving me your money.

What?

 

[EyeSeeCold]

Yes, I believe in giving thanks by giving me your money.

*slips a $20 into garter belt*

 

[QuickTwist]

*slips a $20 into garter belt*

Someone's got money to burn.

 

[Reluctantly]

*slips a $20 into garter belt*

Happy Holidays.

 

[EyeSeeCold]

If I ever became significantly wealthy for some inexplicable reason I'd feel compelled to share the wealth with the people / communities who have supported me. But I don't mean just giving away money for materialist possessions, more like housing and education to perpetuate the prosperity.

On a day to day basis I feel weird saying / receiving thanks, seems like that stuff should be implied by the dedication present in the action itself, but I guess that's just my childhood talking. I still say it anyway as protocol.

 

[Ex-User (13503)]

No, because giving thanks is invariably to some deity or another. I do believe in giving thanks to Humanity however. To all of the billions of individuals who have gone before me, and spent their lives, blood and tears building the wonderful work I live in. But nobody understands this point so I don't do it.

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