There are two lost words in the human vocabulary.
They’re still in our dictionary, but we don’t often hear them. Certainly not enough, and never from some.
“Thank you” is a very important expression almost void in public conversation.
Fortunately, there are still a few congenial folks who never fail to convey appreciation.
As we were growing up, the “two words” seemed to almost dominate our conversation, as every customer, who came in the grocery store, left with a heartfelt adieu: “Thank you, come again.” It was always accompanied by a cordial smile and usually repeated several times.
A reminder came Friday morning in our Daily Sales Tip from the corporate office.
We’ll quote it verbatim: “I was in the checkout line in a store. The man at the front received his change, then just stood there staring at the young male checker.
“The checker asked: ‘You need something else?’ The man began to shout at the top of his lungs, ‘Yes, young man. I am waiting for you to thank me for spending my hard-earned money in this store and helping to pay your salary. And ‘here ya go’ is not thanking me.’
“Everyone in hearing distance was shocked, just standing there watching the man, as the manager came rushing over.
“After the manager apologized for the checker and tried unsuccessfully to turn the volume down, the man responded, ‘I do not hold him at fault. I blame whoever failed to train him properly responsible. If you want any more of my money, I better be thanked every time I spend my money here.’
“He spoke for far more people than himself, and shouting was the only way to be heard.”
Lack of training is the reason for much of the lack of gratitude today.
It is embarrassing for us when somebody, generally a family member, claims we didn’t express appreciation for a service.
We are truly ashamed, because we always want to show gratefulness for all of the many things everybody does and have done in our life.
Perhaps the answer to the world’s problems is return of two words: “Thank you.”
Reminds us of Revelation 11:17: “We thank you, Lord God, the Almighty, who is and who was, because You have taken Your great power and have begun to reign.”