Another Gripe with Gratitude

What team are you on?

All,

As we reach the midway point of another week, I feel it’s time to hit on the other half of the gratitude equation.

And it’s one that may prompt some of you to roll your eyes at me, but hear me out:

When we were taught manners as children – or at least when I was – there was a sing-songy, corresponding refrain that always accompanied the words “thank you.”

And that was their polite, obedient cousins, “you’re welcome.”

Like peas and carrots. They just go together.

So you can imagine my husband’s bafflement when I shared with him a few years back that I have a secret disdain for the tried-and-true accompaniment to our standard expression of gratitude.

“What?!” he exclaimed. “Why?”

And I, of course, had no problem explaining

That there’s something about the words “you’re welcome” that put the onus on the one doing the good.

As in you’re welcome that I took the time/effort/energy to do you this favor.

Turns out I’m not alone in my thinking.

When this article stumbled across my feed last year, I immediately sent it to my husband. Feel what you’d like about the brand, but you can’t deny its success – which clearly has deep roots in a distinct culture.

There are actually entire reddit threads and Facebook groups dedicated to this debate. It seems people have very strong alliances to — and rationale behind — the side they fall on.

But for me, you’re welcome is just not part of my lexicon.

Whether I’m holding a door for a stranger or just sacrificed a large part of my day for a team member, the response is always:

Of course.

Or, my pleasure.

And the message that sends? Well that’s the most important part:

That we are in this together.

So, as always, these musings are simply being provided as some food for thought. Do with them what you will.

(My husband, for the record, has firmly swung to my side and now points it out anytime someone says “you’re welcome” in a text or email).

But the ultimate moral of this story is that the words we use matter.

Just think about it from the receiving end.

How blessed is it to know that someone feels like helping you out is truly their pleasure?

Here’s to you,