I know for a fact that some individuals have this tendency to forget these two simple words. Thanking someone does not take any huge effort. It is automatic for some and difficult for others. I’ve always thought it came from childhood and the way we were brought up. Should we expect to hear it? If we do and the other person stays silent is this viewed as a denigration for us. Do we feel hurt?

The issue here is not that we feel hurt. It’s more that we feel we have stronger values than this other individual. We do not understand why he would not say thank you for a favor we did for him. Are we looking to be thanked each time we do something for someone else? Is that why we do it? Where the motivation comes from? Or is it just an act of altruism? Wanting to please others without receiving. What if we lived that way? Wouldn’t everything be easier?

I realized many fights between couples or friends can be triggered because of a similar situation. Buying a gift for someone and feeling that he or she does not appreciate it that much, surprising someone who does not care for that … C’est la vie.

Here in LA and throughout the US, people seem more polite than in Europe. You even feel awkward at some times when they smile too much or keep on saying nice things to you. In LA people are nice but not too demonstrative (like Midwesterners). I had to get accommodated to this “hey how’s it going?”, “how are you today”, “have a great Monday”, “have a great one” … Some of these nice thoughts were even blurry at first. I finally understood and I’m still trying to do the same. For it to become spontaneous it takes time. The French/Parisian cold attitude gets a while to get rid of. Even though I was never this kind of person in Paris, it just is part of my skin who I am and what I am so used to.

The only problem with these “thank-yous” is that you get so affected if it’s the people you love who forget to say these two very simple words. They are the only one that truly matter to you and for this reason you are expecting a kind word from them. They seem to forget it or just believe we do not care anymore. It is the most important thing we need. THANK YOU is not hard, it should not be a battle, it should just be like breathing … Start making others happy it doesn’t cost anything, it doesn’t take any energy.

Remember this first advice: SAY THANK YOU!