Why is it so hard to say thank-you?

People do nice things for each other all of the time, but sometimes, the recipients of these good deeds fail to say thank-you or express any gratitude whatsoever. It is almost as if the act was expected instead of appreciated. Unfortunately, this happens a lot, and though the person that did the nice thing might not say anything when greeted with the lack of appreciation, he or she may begin to feel used or as if the other person doesn’t really respect him or her.

So, why is it so hard to say thank-you? Some people might feel like they are entitled to everything given to them. This may be caused by a lack of real-world experience. It might be due to the social landscape or it might even be a perspective gained through not understanding how to sympathize with others. There is no telling in this day and age why a person sees things this way.

Unfortunately, this isn’t a great perspective to have as everyone should be treated with the same respect and have gratitude for the bonuses that life gives them. When we support each other, we all succeed. If we are too focused on ourselves, then we limit our exposure to the world around us which in turn limits our experiences and our social circle. By understanding empathy and the necessity of appreciation, you are noting other people's contributions to the world around us.

If you are dealing with someone that is too entitled to express their thanks, then it might be better to back off as continuing to extend your hand might end in conflict between the two of you.

Other people might be grateful for the things that they received, but they might not know the right words to say or might feel embarrassed expressing their thankfulness. If you are a person like this then remind yourself of how good you felt when someone recognized something that you did and realize that the person that did this might not really want a lot of attention for his or her good deed but instead to know that it made you feel positive. Basic respect helps us acknowledge each other and understand what others around us want and how they feel.

Lastly, there are people that feel like they have to do something in return if someone does something nice for them. Unfortunately, these people aren’t always in the position to return the favor, and this can cause them internal conflict. If you did something nice for someone and feel like you are dealing with someone like this, communicate with them. Let them know that you don’t expect anything in return. Let them know that you just wanted to do something nice for them. You might see their gratitude more clearly at that moment and the open communication can help you both understand each other better.

Saying thank-you shouldn’t be hard. It shouldn’t be an ego blow. You shouldn’t expect that someone has to do something nice for you, and if you are the person that did the good deed, realize that different people respond in different ways when someone good happens to them. Some people aren’t used to having too many good things happen to them at all. No matter the situation, do your best to show respect and communicate so the situation is pleasant and not awkward.

Have you ever had issues with someone not saying thank-you? What happened? Comment below to share your thoughts.

...Oh, and thank you for reading.