It is nice to see the joy of a person while presenting him a gift, especially if the latter was chosen long and carefully. But there is a problem: as a rule, after receiving a gift, a compliment or help, a person says “thank you”. For some reason, such an answer is confusing. Really: what can I say thank you? And why is it so difficult to find the answer?
What is the hassle?
Gratitude is a natural reaction of a person for whom someone has done something good. This is a sign of courtesy. But what answer to the word "thank you"? And do I need to answer? The most common options are: “please”, “not at all”, “good health” and even playful “you should” or “better with money”.
If you look, then none of them is correct. For example, gifts are not always good for health. The word "please" stands for "please come to the table." And if the present is valuable, then somehow the language does not turn to say "not at all." If one delves deeply into the study of the issue, then one will recall the signs. One of them, for example, reads: the one who says "to health" gives the interlocutor this same health. Then what should I say thank you if any option is wrong?
About the meaning of the word "thank you"
In addition to signs and natural awkwardness, the origin of the word "thank you" is confusing. After all, this is nothing but “Save God!”. Not all young people know that a phrase can be mistaken for a curse. Reacting with such a word to a gift or a compliment, a person essentially refuses to spend his energy on gratitude and transfers this task to a certain god.
If a believer uses “thank you”, then he won’t be bothered to think: does he, a mere mortal, have the right to tell God whom to save. If an atheist thanks, then for him the use of the word "thank you" is completely meaningless.
All this can be taken with skepticism. In the end, “thank you” is a simple word of politeness that parents taught in childhood. Few people have hidden meaning in it. However, nobody canceled psycholinguistic programming. At a subconscious level, the meaning of the word is perceived in its original form. Probably, from these considerations, the answer came "for nothing" - a kind of phrase-amulet. Like, there’s nothing to save from anyone or nothing, because the giver did nothing wrong.
About material
So, we talked about high matters, and now we will mention more mundane moments. Suppose etiquette, as well as language, is a volatile thing. Two hundred years ago, they said “thank you, ” but life has changed, and today, “thank you” is used. Signs are generally the tenth thing.
But think about this: a meaningless response to gratitude deprives you of additional opportunities. For example, you realize that you really did something special for a person. But nevertheless, having thought that to answer “thank you very much”, we waved: “Come on, nothing!”
But one can respond to such gratitude differently by stating: "I have no doubt that you will do the same to me." Or at least throw a simple "count". In this case, the alignment will be completely different, since you will transfer the relationship to a level where you can safely ask each other for help. You will also remind the interlocutor that it would be good to pay for the service rendered sometime in the future.
And let your conscience not torment you. "You - to me, I - to you" - this is the norm of any relationship. After all, such an answer does not mean that, having made a gift or having provided assistance, you will certainly demand something in return. But if suddenly the situation develops in an unfavorable way for you and you have to ask for help, it will be easier to turn to someone who is potentially ready to provide you a service as a thank you.
How to respond to gifts and compliments?
In order not to raise the question of what to answer to "thank you", you need to eliminate its cause. In particular, remember that in response to a compliment or gift it is better to say "thank you" or "thank you" rather than "thank you."
Using such a word, a person shares part of his good. After all, there is an unspoken truth: a gift always implies a reciprocal gift. It is quite normal when a person who has received someone’s good (whether verbal, material) shares his (it doesn’t matter either, in a symbolic or real form). And at the same time he does not write off the responsibility to God or someone else, but personally wishes some “goodies” to his donor.
By the same logic, the word hello is used. The one who pronounces it wishes health to the interlocutor, and does it personally from himself, and not from God.
