Back in the March newsletter, I mentioned that my New Year’s resolution (‘resolution’) to say you’re welcome anytime someone said thank you seemed to be going really well. It was based on a simple observation that by saying you’re welcome, I prevent myself from (unintentionally) dismissing someone else’s gratitude.
These dismissals happen by the use of those common little expressions that we’ve come to widely accepts as substitutes for you’re welcome, comments with hidden subtexts like oh, don’t mention it (because helping others is the drudgery of social obligation and I don’t need to be reminded of it like an unreliable child needs reminding of his chores) or no, THANK YOU (because your general helplessness gave me a chance to do something that made me feel good about myself).
For some reason, I hear comments like these in response to thank you far more often than I hear the simple you’re welcome. It’s too bad. I think you’re welcome is a powerful expression, one that boasts significant power to build camaraderie and improve relationships through the simple task of acknowledging a shared reality.
It is important to express gratitude. Many report feeling much better about themselves when they take the time to express gratitude on a regular basis. But I think the positive impact of expressing gratitude will be lost if the recipient dismisses it. Does it feel good to give a gift that someone throws back at you?
So, reader, I urge you once more to simply say you’re welcome before following up with anything else. It will make the other person feel better!
Thank you for reading.
(Waiting...)
Well, no need to start now.
-Tim
