by Vanny Sim
There were many life lessons that my parents taught me when I was a child, and one of them was a habit of saying “Thank you”. It has been the most wonderful life lesson that I have ever learnt.
Saying “thank you” shows you are polite and dignified, it also improves your everyday relationship, and communication in personal and professional life. Therefore, it is important to know when we should use the word “Thank you”.
According to Mr. Chan Somnoble, a professor of Khmer literature, saying “Thank you” is reciprocating gratitude, which states that a person has done something good to you, and is a wonderful virtue. In the following three situations, you should use this magic lexis of appreciation.
1. Receiving compliments; a person praises you and not responding in any language may set you as arrogant and rude. If you do not want others to think negatively while they compliment; just respond with “Thank you”.
2. Getting help (both materially and spiritually); when you try to do something to the best of your ability and the results are not what you hoped for, you will certainly be disappointed. That is when you need material and, or emotional support, such as good advice from friends, relatives, or people around you to achieve what you have planned. Saying “Thank you” to those people is the most urgent situation.
3. Arriving late; you may consider saying “Sorry” when you arrive late for a meeting or at a party. But, saying “Thank you” to the people for accepting your delay will give a positive vibe and appreciation to their patience and time.
There might be copious situations to appreciate and reciprocate gratitude, we should never miss this profound opportunity to build a bond and connecting people. Being human signifies the trait of humanity with the simple vocabulary of “Thank you”.