It's nice to see the joy of a person when giving him a gift, especially if the latter was chosen long and carefully. But there is a problem: as a rule, having received a gift, a compliment or help, a person says “thank you”. For some reason this answer is confusing. Indeed: what can be said to thank you? And why is it so difficult to find an answer?
What's the catch?
Gratitude is a natural reaction of a person for whom someone has done something good. This is a sign of courtesy. But what is the answer to the word "thank you"? And do you need to answer? The most common options are: “please”, “not at all”, “to your he alth” and even playful “you should” or “money is better.”
If you look, none of them is correct. For example, gifts are not always conducive to he alth. The word "please" stands for "come to the table." And if the present is valuable, then somehow the tongue does not turn to say "no way." If you do delve into the study of the issue, then you will remember the signs. One of them, for example, says: the one who says “to he alth” gives the interlocutor this very he alth. Then what is the answer to "thank you" if any option is wrong?
On the meaning of the word "thank you"
Besides signs and natural awkwardness, the origin of the word "thank you" is confusing. After all, this is nothing more than “God save!”. Not all young people know that the 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 shifts this task to some god.
If "thank you" is used by a believing person, then it will not hurt him 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. After all, "thank you" is a simple courtesy word that our parents taught us as children. Few people put a hidden meaning into it. However, no one canceled psycholinguistic programming. At a subconscious level, the meaning of the word is perceived in the originally conceived form. Probably, from these considerations, the answer “nothing for nothing” arose - a kind of protective phrase. Like, there is nothing to save from anyone or nothing, because the giver did nothing wrong.
About the material
So, we talked about high matters, and now we will mention more mundane moments. Suppose etiquette, as well as language, is a changeable thing. Let two hundred years ago they said “thank you”, but life has changed, and today “thank you” is used. Signs are the tenth thing in general.
But think about this: a meaningless response to gratitudedeprives you of additional opportunities. For example, you realize that you really did something special for a person. But still, after thinking about what to answer “thank you very much”, you dismiss: “Come on, you’re welcome!”
But you can respond to such gratitude in a different way, saying: "I have no doubt that you will do the same to me." Or at least throw in a simple "let's settle down." In this case, the alignment will be completely different, since you will transfer the relationship to a level where you can calmly ask each other for help. You will also remind the interlocutor that it would be nice to repay 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 by giving a gift or providing assistance, you will definitely demand something in return. But if suddenly the situation develops in an unfavorable way for you and you have to ask for help, then it will be easier to turn to someone who is potentially ready to provide you with a favor as a thank you.
How to respond to gifts and compliments?
To avoid the question of what to answer "thank you", you need to eliminate its cause. In particular, remember that in response to a compliment or a gift, it is better to say “thank you” or “thank you”, and not “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 benefit (verbalwhether, material), shares his own (it also doesn’t matter, in a symbolic or real form). And at the same time, he does not attribute responsibility to God or someone else, but personally wants some "goodies" for his donor.
By the same logic, the word "hello" is used. The one who pronounces it wishes he alth to the interlocutor, and does it personally from himself, and not from God.
Note
Despite all of the above, we do not advise you to be categorical in the question of what to answer "thank you." Otherwise, it may turn out that you will never find the right phrase. After all, if you talk about religion, God, salvation, and so on, then the word “thank you” will turn out to be inappropriate. Because giving blessings is also the prerogative of the Almighty, and not an ordinary person, isn't it?
Now you know how to reason when looking for an answer to the question, what to answer with "thank you". Be sincerely polite, grateful and sympathetic, and then the words will come by themselves.
