The words spoken to me were simply this, “Thank you.”
It was happily accepted.
Because that is one of my favorite phrases, it changed my whole outlook toward the evening.
Yet, at times, we say it to fill the void of vocabulary, often between two people.
It’s kind of like when you go to Chick-Fil-A, which I love by the way.
The employees of Chick-Fil-A are trained to say, ‘My pleasure”, when they are thanked for their service.
Wonderful, I get it.
However, this one kid serving my table a few months ago, said that after every single thing we requested or ordered.
He said it so much, that it was obvious that he was trained to say it, but that it was not sincerely meant each time.
Much like the phrase, “Thank you.”
Maybe I think too much regarding these type phrases.
But if I thank someone, I sincerely want them to know that I appreciate what they have done, their kind gesture, no matter what it is.
It is a phrase of social courtesy that when expressed can make a ho hum day a fabulous day.
It can brighten one’s eyes, cause one to smile, and bring a warmth to one’s heart.
I looked up the origin of the phrase on www.answers.com.
The word thank derives from Old English pancian, meaning to give thanks, which in turn derives from the Proto-German term thankojan, which also spawned the Middle German term danken, meaning to thank.
The English term thank you was shortened from the phrase I thank you.
Having read that, I would like to go back to using the whole phrase, “I thank you.”
This makes it so much more personal.
I…thank you…for your kindness shown or your love expressed.
Tomorrow, when you catch yourself about to just throw out an insecure thank you, catch yourself.
Consider the person and the act for which you are thanking them.
The phrase goes a lot deeper than just being courteous.
John
Leave a Reply