# Saying "thank you" in response to "thank you" **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [November 30, 2011, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/saying-thank-you-in-response-to-thank-you/604586 "2011-11-30T18:29:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![GregH](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/43a26b/32.png) [@GregH](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GregH)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2011, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/saying-thank-you-in-response-to-thank-you/604586/1 "2011-11-30T18:29:04Z")
This is a hard topic to search for in the archives, so I’m sorry if this question has been asked… When a professional athlete is interviewed by a member of the media, the interview often ends by the interviewer saying “thank you” and the interviewee responding with “thank you”. Athletes never seem to say “you’re welcome”? Are athletes coached by their PR people to say “thank you” all the time? Is “you’re welcome” seen as too stuffy? Here’s an example of what I’m talking about: [Marc Staal intermission interview 10/15/10 - YouTube](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYzs__xUw2s) ---
**Author:** ![Mornac](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e36b37/32.png) [@Mornac](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mornac)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2011, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/saying-thank-you-in-response-to-thank-you/604586/2 "2011-11-30T18:39:09Z")
It seems both parties are gaining a mutual benefit, Where the interviewer is getting a chance to ask the athlete questions that his audience would like to; the athlete is getting a chance at exposure of his personality as well as his opinions of himself, his team, and perhaps the sport in general. Win-win. Thanks all around. On the other hand, I’m somewhat puzzled by customers who complete a transaction by saying “Tajhnk you” to the person who just sold him something and who may or may not respond with “You’re welcme”. In this scenario, it is the person with the money in his hand who is choosing to spend it at a particular merchant. Therefore it follows that the merchant ought to be the one with “Thank you” on his lips. ---
**Author:** ![dracoi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/90db22/32.png) [@dracoi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dracoi)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2011, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/saying-thank-you-in-response-to-thank-you/604586/3 "2011-11-30T18:42:23Z")
It’s not just athletes who do this. Where I live, at least, it’s pretty widespread all the way around. The way I make sense of it is that both people have received a benefit. The athlete gets extra publicity via the interview and the interviewer has been able to do their job. If I’ve just eaten at your restaurant, I benefitted by getting a meal and you benefitted by getting my money. Thus, each is thanking the other. The double-thank-you is an acknowledgment of that mutual benefit. I don’t see both people saying thank you when only one receives a benefit. If I’m passing the salt or holding a door open or fixing your flat tire, you say “Thank You” and I say “You’re welcome.” ---
**Author:** ![dracoi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/90db22/32.png) [@dracoi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dracoi)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2011, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/saying-thank-you-in-response-to-thank-you/604586/4 "2011-11-30T18:48:27Z")
> [@Mornac](#): > > On the other hand, I’m somewhat puzzled by customers who complete a transaction by saying “Tajhnk you” to the person who just sold him something and who may or may not respond with “You’re welcme”. In this scenario, it is the person with the money in his hand who is choosing to spend it at a particular merchant. Therefore it follows that the merchant ought to be the one with “Thank you” on his lips. I do see a mutual benefit in commercial transactions. The basis of economics is that buyers value what they receive more than what they give in exchange. (If you’d rather keep the cash, you would.) Likewise, the seller values what they receive more than they what they give up. (If they’d rather keep their inventory, they would) In addition, buyers often feel like they’re getting a particularly good benefit. On Monday, I bought a couple of post-Black-Friday items at 80% off the normal price. I really am thanking the merchant for selling at what was probably below their cost. ---
**Author:** ![njtt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ecd19e/32.png) [@njtt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/njtt)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2011, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/saying-thank-you-in-response-to-thank-you/604586/5 "2011-11-30T19:59:44Z")
This custom must be stamped out immediately, or else we will all soon be stuck in an infinite loop of "thank you"s. :eek: ---
**Author:** ![SmithCommaJohn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecd19e/32.png) [@SmithCommaJohn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmithCommaJohn)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2011, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/saying-thank-you-in-response-to-thank-you/604586/6 "2011-11-30T20:12:09Z")
> [@Mornac](#): > > It seems both parties are gaining a mutual benefit, Where the interviewer is getting a chance to ask the athlete questions that his audience would like to; the athlete is getting a chance at exposure of his personality as well as his opinions of himself, his team, and perhaps the sport in general. Win-win. Thanks all around. > > On the other hand, I’m somewhat puzzled by customers who complete a transaction by saying “Tajhnk you” to the person who just sold him something and who may or may not respond with “You’re welcme”. In this scenario, it is the person with the money in his hand who is choosing to spend it at a particular merchant. Therefore it follows that the merchant ought to be the one with “Thank you” on his lips. I think the double “thank you” is appropriate in that situation. You obviously wanted the thing that the merchant was selling more than the money in your pocket, and your merchant wanted your money more than continued possession of the thing he was selling. Assuming you’re dealing with economically-rational actors, each party has realized a subjective benefit. Also, thanking the merchant is just polite. ---
**Author:** ![Jaledin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Jaledin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jaledin)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2011, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/saying-thank-you-in-response-to-thank-you/604586/7 "2011-11-30T20:31:12Z")
I agree with the above comments, mostly. Not only is it idiomatic in English, but common and perfectly polite. In French, also, the shopkeeper example holds, sometimes just shortened (I’ll translate) customer: “Thank you, madame!” shopkeeper: “It’s me [supply “who thanks you,” which is understood], spend a good end of the day!” ---
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2011, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/saying-thank-you-in-response-to-thank-you/604586/8 "2011-11-30T22:23:00Z")
I’ll admit it. I do this unintentionally when I answer the phone at work. I’ll answer someone’s question, or tell them I’m going to transfer their call or whatever, and they’ll say “thank you” and I’ll respond with “thanks” before my brain can kick in and come up with “you’re welcome.” I _always_ feel stupid about it, but it happens all the time. Not every time, but often. ---
**Author:** ![SmithCommaJohn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecd19e/32.png) [@SmithCommaJohn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmithCommaJohn)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2011, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/saying-thank-you-in-response-to-thank-you/604586/9 "2011-11-30T22:51:40Z")
> [@OpalCat](#): > > I’ll admit it. I do this unintentionally when I answer the phone at work. I’ll answer someone’s question, or tell them I’m going to transfer their call or whatever, and they’ll say “thank you” and I’ll respond with “thanks” before my brain can kick in and come up with “you’re welcome.” > > I _always_ feel stupid about it, but it happens all the time. Not every time, but often. Person behind the counter: “Enjoy your [meal/coffee/whatever you just bought]” Me: “You too” :smack: ---
**Author:** ![Mgalindo13](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ea5d25/32.png) [@Mgalindo13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mgalindo13)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2011, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/saying-thank-you-in-response-to-thank-you/604586/10 "2011-11-30T23:16:04Z")
I’ll take a double thank you any day of the week over people that respond with “uh huh” or “yeah” which seems to be an increasing number of the population here in the states. ---
**Author:** ![Mgalindo13](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ea5d25/32.png) [@Mgalindo13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mgalindo13)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2011, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/saying-thank-you-in-response-to-thank-you/604586/11 "2011-11-30T23:18:02Z")
> [@GregH](#): > > This is a hard topic to search for in the archives, so I’m sorry if this question has been asked… > > When a professional athlete is interviewed by a member of the media, the interview often ends by the interviewer saying “thank you” and the interviewee responding with “thank you”. Athletes never seem to say “you’re welcome”? > > Are athletes coached by their PR people to say “thank you” all the time? Is “you’re welcome” seen as too stuffy? > > Here’s an example of what I’m talking about: [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYzs\_\_xUw2s](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYzs__xUw2s) Yes, almost anyone who appears on television is coached, and they are usually reminded to thank the interviewer at the beginning and end of an interview. ---
**Author:** ![srzss05](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/898d66/32.png) [@srzss05](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/srzss05)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2011, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/saying-thank-you-in-response-to-thank-you/604586/12 "2011-12-01T00:19:34Z")
> [@SmithCommaJohn](#): > > Person behind the counter: “Enjoy your [meal/coffee/whatever you just bought]” > > Me: “You too” > > :smack: That only happens to me (and I usually catch myself before saying it) when I’m used to some one saying “Thank you. Have a nice day.” Often they then tack on “Come again.” ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2011, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/saying-thank-you-in-response-to-thank-you/604586/13 "2011-12-01T00:24:11Z")
> [@Mornac](#): > > On the other hand, I’m somewhat puzzled by customers who complete a transaction by saying “Tajhnk you” to the person who just sold him something and who may or may not respond with “You’re welcme”. (I assume that was a typo. If not, yeah, I’d be puzzled too if someone said “Tajhnk you.” :)) It makes perfect sense to me to say “Thank you” to the cashier who rings me up. For one thing, the cashier often hands me something, like my change or receipt, and it’s sort of automatic to say “thank you” when someone gives you something. But really, I’m thanking them for performing a service for me in a prompt and courteous fashion. ---
**Author:** ![GiantRat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@GiantRat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GiantRat)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2011, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/saying-thank-you-in-response-to-thank-you/604586/14 "2011-12-01T16:19:53Z")
In professional settings, this happens all the time. The “you’re welcome” bit, in my mind, establishes a hierarchy. That is, if you thank me and I say “you’re welcome,” I’m implying that this was all done out of the kindness of my heart - you’ve just consumed my valuable resources (time, knowledge, bodily fluids, or whatever). Mutual gratitude (like mutual gratification, I suppose) is important in building relationships, trust, and a sense of common interest. ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_T](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Gary\_T](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_T)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2011, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/saying-thank-you-in-response-to-thank-you/604586/15 "2011-12-01T17:42:51Z")
When an interviewer says “thank you” to his subject, the correct response is “my pleasure.” ---
**Author:** ![obfusciatrist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/4af34b/32.png) [@obfusciatrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/obfusciatrist)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2011, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/saying-thank-you-in-response-to-thank-you/604586/16 "2011-12-01T17:48:54Z")
I don’t know where I get it, but in those general polite “thank you” situations I always respond with a “thank you” of my own. If I hold the door for them and they say thank you, I say “you’re welcome” or “no problem” or “huh.” But when I pay at a store and they say thank you, I say “thank you” in response. To the extent that I think about it i think of it as them thanking me for patronizing the store (so not a personal thanks but a thanks on behalf of the institution) and me thanking them personally for helping me with my transaction. ---
**Author:** ![PacifistPorcupine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7ea924/32.png) [@PacifistPorcupine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PacifistPorcupine)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2011, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/saying-thank-you-in-response-to-thank-you/604586/17 "2011-12-01T17:51:31Z")
I do it at work all the time. Not sure where I picked it up from.