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Saying “Thank you” is just as easy—and as important—as saying “please.” Remember how easy it was to play T-ball? Saying “thank you” is that easy. You say, “Thank you,” any time anyone does something nice or helpful for you.
When someone holds an elevator door open for you—you say, “Thank you.”
When someone tells you that you are the smartest young man they have ever met—you say, “Thank you.”
When someone gives you a new video game—you say, “Thank you.”
When someone hands you a saltshaker—you say, “Thank you.”
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YOU DO
Say, “Thank you,” whenever anybody says something nice to you—even if you are not sure you’re being paid a compliment.
YOU DON’T
Ask, “Is that supposed to be a compliment?”
Why
When people tell you that you look just like your grandfather, they are trying to say something nice. Even if you don’t think being compared to someone who has lost most of his hair is a compliment—it is. Just say, “Thank you.” It will make your grandfather very happy.
YOU DO
Say, “Thank you,” whenever someone gives you a gift, even if you are not crazy about it.
YOU DON’T
Laugh or frown or do anything else that gives the impression that you do not like the gift.
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Why
You are not always going to like every gift you receive. Every young gentleman has an aunt who gives him underwear or a godparent who buys him things that are four years too young for him. But it is always important to say, “Thank you.” You don’t have to pretend that you love something you don’t like. But saying, “Thank you for thinking of me,” gets the job done. And you are still letting people know that you appreciate them and their thoughtfulness.
YOU DO
Say, “Thank you,” when your mom hands you your allowance, when the person behind the counter at the fast food restaurant gives you your chicken nuggets, and when your dad helps you with your homework.
YOU DON’T
Assume, just because you’re used to getting your allowance, picking up your chicken nuggets, or having help with your homework, that you don’t need to say, “Thanks.”
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Why
It is important to be nice to people who do nice things for you—whether it is fixing your dinner or smiling when they hand you your chicken nuggets. When people treat you well and they see you behaving like a gentleman in return, they will be proud to know their efforts haven’t been lost on you.
A gentleman does not put a price tag on his saying “thank you.” He says, “Thank you,” for small acts of kindness, just as he does for the big ones.
A gentleman knows that a simple “Thank you” is usually fine. There is never any need to go on and on.