Why do we say thank you to people who have only done their job?

[thetruthhurts]

Bus drivers, bar staff, cashiers,waitresses, etc etc etc. Surely a 'thank you' should be for someone who has put themselves out for you or gone beyond the call of duty for you done you a favour. So, why do we thank someone for serving us, when, that is what they are paid to do?

[MarkRae]

I always thank bus drivers as I get off, but I'm not thanking them for doing their job per se. However, I'm thanking them for doing it well, thereby avoiding an accident in which I might be injured. Also, for the fact that I've not had to walk home.

Sometimes when clients thank me I tell them that the only thanks I require is prompt payment of my invoice... :-)

[EngTeach]

That's good Mark...We all like a little recognition once in a while.

[trt]

I say thanks to everybody who serves me, whether its in tesco, any local shop, petrol service stations etc, but only if they are polite to me which is hard to find theses days.

[poodicat]

Hi trt

[saxy_jag]

I say thank you to such people because their jobs are ones that I wouldn't choose to do and probably not what many of them would choose either. They do them so that I don't have to and I feel it's only right to show my appreciation for that.

[poodicat]

Its the way i have been brought up to say please and thank you without thinking about it,really felt for a woman who was sweeping the streets of new york,ex drug addict,she said excuse me and please and thank you to some arrogant man who was passing,and got totally ignored....