Stephen

Yeah I zone out like that. It's a bit disconcerting when you are supposed to be in control of a vehicle .


Yeah human anatomy in general doesn't hold up to much scrutiny. The more you look the weirder it seems. I guess that's why people get so lost in plastic surgery. They forget what real people look like.

jackhammer

I think this could come down to a cultural thing though. British people on the whole are very polite and expect it back although this sort of chivalry, if you will; is disappearing. We even thank our bus drivers for the journey even though it's their job. It's just how we are and YES we don't have to get a response but we generally do so when you don't it winds you up. It's not about gaining approval either, it's about respect and it feels like ignorance to me if someone doesn't acknowledge an act that you are doing for them even if it is trivial.

Bollocks then, I am slamming that door shut on you all now, mothers with prams, elderly with walking sticks - all of you.

The amount of times I have seen US programmes where no one says please or thank you when getting served winds me up so much but I guess it's not as important there? I am asking not stating BTW.

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Thom Yorke

I meant when driving, although I guess it can apply to some people walking as well.

Burning Down

I always thank bus drivers/streetcar operators when I use them, as well. I even thank people who serve me my food, coffee, what have you, when I order it.

I've noticed that general impoliteness runs rampant among Americans. I am not saying that all are like that, but I have been across the border a few times even just to do some shopping (on a couple of occasions). Each time I noticed a stark difference in manners between Canadians and Americans, especially in terms of saying "thanks/thank you", "excuse me", "pardon/pardon me" (the worst alternative to that is HUH which is something they say a lot I think)... stuff like that.

Engine

haha, Yes this happens a lot. Always hilarious.

Well, despite the fact that I don't care if people don't thank me for things, I do thank others in the fashion that you're talking about. I say thank you to bus drivers and food servers, and even cab drivers as I hand them their money (plus tip) for doing their job. I think most Americans thank people who work in the service industry. I just didn't know that most get angry when their thanks isn't acknowledged.

Along those lines, I do have a pet peeve in this realm. When you thank somebody for something and instead of saying nothing or just giving a slight nod (both of which are totally acceptable to me), they say "Mhm" or "Sure" or "No Problem" or, god forbid, "No Worries". I'd much rather hear nothing than those meaningless words. I already know I wasn't creating a 'problem' or a 'worry' so just say "You're Welcome" or be humbly quiet.

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midnight rain

Oh, really? I always say "no problem", it's like an informal laid-back version of "you're welcome" to me. I didn't know I was committing a faux pas there.

Engine

I think most people casually accept "no problem" but I personally think it sounds crude unless you've asked somebody to go above and beyond their normal call of duty in which case they may say "not at all" or something.
I guess it's generally acceptable as a laid back alternative to "you're welcome" in everyday life.
In a professional setting, however, saying "no problem" translates to "Dude, I'm still just a kid so this is the best way I know how to say you're welcome." So if you ever have a job where you regularly talk to clients that spend a lot of money on your services you'll quickly learn not to say "no problem" when they thank you.

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Burning Down

I guess it's okay to use it informally, but not in a professional or academic atmosphere. Especially when dealing with customers or people who work with the company on the supply chain, etc. Sounds very immature to me.

midnight rain

Oh yeah derp, I meant that's what I say when I'm holding the door for someone and they say "Thanks" like out on the street. I'm not even in a professional environment yet, but I'll probably be more formal when I am.

Janszoon

That's TV not actual life. Most people I know (including myself) say please and thank you to waiters, cashiers, bus drivers, etc. and I live in one of the rudest cities in the country.

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