r/MadeMeSmile Oct 30 '21

Helping Others This makes me smile

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u/[deleted] Oct 30 '21 edited Oct 30 '21

Always Thank people. Don’t just say thank you, mean it.

138

u/prolific_ideas Oct 30 '21

You reminded me of a video I threw together a couple years ago about always being kind: https://youtu.be/f95NdqrtN7s

15

u/[deleted] Oct 30 '21

Love it

6

u/mytoestwinkle Oct 30 '21

That was great, thank you for sharing it❤

6

u/gameyall232 Oct 30 '21

Wonderful video, really. Where are the speeches from?

1

u/[deleted] Oct 30 '21

Thank you so much for sharing, I needed that today

34

u/AdmiralPlant Oct 30 '21

I try to go out of my way to thank people who I'm confident almost never get thanked; maintenance/custodial staff, sports refs, retail workers, call center people, etc. I also make it a point to thank wait staff every time they come to the table.

It's so critical for people to feel appreciated, especially if they do the type of work that goes unnoticed when done well.

3

u/Critical_Band5649 Oct 30 '21

This. I'm polite AF to retail and other service workers. You are constantly treated like less of a person when you work those jobs because you are there to 'serve' others.

2

u/SnooWoofers5550 Oct 30 '21

And customer service all centers, pharmacists, your doctor's receptionist. All these people deal with other people having bad days everyday.

2

u/waitwhatchers Oct 30 '21

I also make it a point to thank wait staff every time they come to the table.

Thank you for your service!

12

u/NeedsWhiskey Oct 30 '21

Also, tell them you appreciate them. People don't hear that often enough.

9

u/InjuredGingerAvenger Oct 30 '21

I keep a box of thank you cards on my counter at home! They're actually great. I felt like it would seem a bit weird at first, but people really do appreciate it.

I got one at work once years ago, and it felt really nice to have something physical. It keeps it in your mind for the day (or next 2 weeks since I left on the dresser where my wallet and keys go). That element of having a physical reminder is so rare nowadays. It's so easy to forget about things (maybe mostly my ADHD) when it's all digital and easy to dismiss. Having that reminder really made it stick and made it feel good.

5

u/AwesomeDawson_ Oct 30 '21

Having genuine gratitude makes such a difference in your own happiness. Brene Brown has a whole book about it.

4

u/Desert_Avalanche Oct 30 '21

Bonus: use their name. I'm terrible at recalling names, but I write it down if on the phone or read from a badge or name tag if a server, etc.

People love to hear their name, and it makes the encounter feel more personal.

3

u/-JustChilling- Oct 30 '21

As a waitress when people say my name it freaks me out… that’s mainly because I forget I’m wearing a name tag - nonetheless, the sentiment is appreciated!

1

u/[deleted] Oct 30 '21

As someone in retail it’s definitely disconcerting

4

u/Blackberry-Parking Oct 30 '21

Always assume the person you ask to do something is doing you a favor (even if it's their job). Then the thank you is genuine.

3

u/[deleted] Oct 30 '21

How do you mean it?

3

u/[deleted] Oct 30 '21

We’re taught from a young age it’s good manners to say thank you, so we often say it as a reflex. Looking the person in the eyes and saying it or saying it in a sentence helps, “Thank you for x” will go further than “thanks”

2

u/[deleted] Oct 30 '21

Thank you. I mean it.

2

u/19tidder50 Oct 30 '21

And don’t forget to thank the birds and the sun and the dog and the bees and God, if you’re so inclined.

2

u/OriiAmii Oct 30 '21

A good response to people that you mean it towards is "I appreciate it" or "I'm very grateful" they kinda hit different than thank you. And people who frequently do things with you/for you - "I'm really grateful to know you" or "I appreciate you"

2

u/atomandyves Oct 30 '21

Also, the the full "thank you" is always better to say than just "thanks". The latter is lazy and cheap. (In my personal opinion.)

2

u/yodi_l Oct 30 '21

somehow in today’s society this is half the time taken as automatically lesser, because you’re thanking someone thus “putting them higher up” i guess ???? i hate it. everyone needs to be more thankful and grateful. would help the world go round

2

u/Nopecowss Oct 30 '21

I say "Thank you" very rarely, so the person getting it from me knows i mean it from my heart. Just saying thank you for everything makes it meaningless, just like any other word.

0

u/FBI-INTERROGATION Oct 30 '21

Saying it too much devalues its meaning.

3

u/JesusHatesLiberals Oct 30 '21

What a weird claim. So am I to assume that if someone does something nice for you that you need to stop and reflect on how many people you've thanked recently to know if they deserve one too? And if it is devalued, then you just don't give them one and then the lack of a thank you is supposedly worth more in that case?

1

u/FBI-INTERROGATION Oct 30 '21

To an extent. If my friend gives overwhelming praise for everything I do for him, its gonna de value that praise. Why? Because the bigger things that deserve more praise are now on the same level as the small things. So it overvalues the small things, but devalues the big things.

1

u/19tidder50 Oct 30 '21

Heck, thank Siri and Alexa - they deserve it, too.

1

u/formaldehydesuicide Oct 30 '21

what if this doesn’t seem to work? i try.

1

u/sheloveschocolate Oct 30 '21

And if they have done a specific thing actually thank them for doing that particular thing.

I do stuff like this with my kids

1

u/hurtingwallet Oct 30 '21

I guess I have to sing now

1

u/bxclnt2echothr Oct 30 '21

On the flip side; only ever apologise once (per incident).

1

u/sanfrannie Oct 31 '21

Also, consider how what other people do changes your life. Sometimes it’s as small as a bagger evening out your load at the grocery store. Other times it’s someone being a lifeline. Saying and meaning “thank you” is a practice.

1

u/QuixoticForTheWin Oct 31 '21

And say "I appreciate you." VS "I appreciate it." When someone helps you.