How do you thank people just doing their job?

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It seems so awkward to thank people for doing what they are paid to do. I mean if they do something extra or if I can think of something specific in an appointment, I might be able to thank them. Key word is might.

But if there isn't anything specific, how do you thank them?

I recently got landed with a supervisor role in a bookshop I work at, and I just say when I am locking up "cheers", I am sure they suspect I am not all that sociable and don't really make an issue of it, but I agree with you in one respect, that social convention states that they should be told they do a good job, just don't know how to say it without coming off as sarcastic lol

I just say a quick "Thanks a lot" as I or they are leaving. To me it's just a ritual - I don't know how they take it.

Me too

Give them a card with some scratch n wins at Christmas, or whatever winter holiday you celebrate.

"Thank you."

^That.

Just because they're getting paid doesn't mean you can't be polite.

It's a matter of positive reinforcement.

Letting someone know they are doing a good job is more important than telling them when they are doing a poor job. For NTs (and even Aspies) being told they've done a good job affirms they are good workers and appreciated.

You can also do little things. Free fruit/snacks in the break room. Free group lunch (eat out or catered in). Little "bonuses" (gift cards or actual gifts) every now and then. These things are not required as the person was paid for doing their job, but they build up morale and lets the workers know they are appreciated.

Jobs are often horrible and unpleasant. Being genuinely grateful to them for providing whatever service it is is a) easy and b) can really make the other person feel good and that their existence has a meaning beyond doing whatever their job is.

In a tight economic climate organisations can't afford to keep people motivated with pay rises, and lots of workers feel undervalued and under-appreciated. A warm response from a customer can make a huge difference to how the day goes.

I'm a parish priest, and I do heaps of little things beyond my duty to help couples to have the best wedding. We charge next to nothing for our basic wedding service in any case (fees are set nationally): genuine thanks afterwards are very rare indeed.

Agreed. They may be just doing their job, but chances are they are underpaid and dealing with a lot of social pressure.

If they are a manager or in a good career, then just a nod acknowledging them is fine. If they aren't though, its nice to let them know that their help is valued.

You're thinking too hard.

Just say thanks. There's more to a job than just the pay. Knowing that people give a damn enough to say thanks is a perk.

Last edited by Gedrene on 25 Jul 2011, 10:52 am, edited 1 time in total.

Me three

I've wondered the same thing sometimes, as in perhaps our society has developed so many underachieving individuals that we need to thank them when they do what they agreed to do in exchange for a paycheck? But without thinking into it too hard, I think they just enjoy the boost in confidence, with the added benefit that they would be less likely to be tamper with your food (in a restaurant scenario) if you were nice to them.

I wish people said "cheers" in the U.S. It's much more egalitarian and less "Thank you for scrubbing down this public toilet for ME" than "thank you." Or actually saying "cheers" to someone who's just finished scrubbing down the toilet you're about to use is even weirder.

Awkward situation overall. Ideally citizens would have to sign up for shifts to clean/otherwise tend to public places they use.

You say "thank you" because it shows that someone's noticed the worker is doing a decent job.

It's far easier for customers and managers to notice when someone does something wrong, than it is for them to notice when something is being done right. Saying "thank you" for even basic tasks is a small way of balancing things out.

A paycheck only covers the Safety and Physiological levels of the hierarchy of needs, a simple "thank you" goes beyond that.