know its petty but

I'm just pleased if anyone says thank you.....not too fussed about how it's said.

I say thank you very much and I also say thank you so much ... I think. Like notso, I'm happy with any kind of thank you from Ta, luv, through Cheers, mate and Thanks a bunch to whatever is considered most proper by those who mind. It's the thought that counts.

I'm with notsogrand and baggy - as long as people say please and thank you in whatever shape it's said, then I'm happy with that.

Am just happy when they dont say...'Its not a problem' when I ask for something quite obvious.....I know its not a problem...its what you are supposed to be doing/selling etc. A problem is when something is very difficult or unusual.

I was on a bus yesterday, and when 2 little boys got off the bus with their dad, both of the wee lads said 'thank you' to the driver. Well brought-up wee souls, eh!

I'm happy with Thank you if it's genuinely meant. Sometimes people say things without thinking and it's hardly worth the breath. I like to look people in the eyes and say 'thank you' to show I do appreciate what they've done for me. As for the bus thingy, greenmossgiel, when I moved up here the bus drivers would shout at you for not saying 'thank you' when you got off so I soon learned to remember my manners. In London, where I came from, no one said thank you to the bus driver...

I teach English as a second language and one of the things my students find very strange is the English habit of saying 'please' and 'thank you' for anything and everything.
I live in a place where life is lived at quite a leisurely pace and many, if not most people, old and young, have good manners.

Sayings I hate usually in restaurants-

'Its not a problem' of course its not its your job.
'Enjoy your meals' thats up to you really
'Hi Guys' I am a girl not a guy.
'You alright there' dont enquire about my health as how you can help me.

In reponse to asking someone if they would like a drink ' I'm alright' as above I am not enquiring after your health but would you like a drink.

Worst of all when complaining about something ' I can only apologise'. No you can take some action!!!

Grumpy this morning see my thread about Waitrose website.

We all have grumpy days susiecb,move back to Sainsburys it's much easier,and
if you get too brassed off,pack up your stuff and come on the virtual camper van
with the rest of us.

Thank you glamanana - I was just on the point of going to Sainsbury and gave Waitrose one more chance and it worked OK and i have to say over the last few months I have had £50 in vouchers from Waitrose beacuse of their website problems so I should shut up really. Am coming on the van though - can we got out somewhere this afternoon that includes a big pub lunch?

Regarding saying "thank you" when getting off the bus - it was an automatic reaction for everyone I knew when I was young. I realised a little while ago that in fact when I go anywhere by car I always thank the driver when we arrive - and that includes my husband. It just seems polite, somehow.

Interesting comment GillieB the 'automatic reaction when I was young' I got the thanking the bus driver habit from my grandfather. He would also stand still in the street and take his cap from his head if a hearse passed as the traffic would slow or stop.I haven't seen that for years.Not that people generally wear caps these days!

I have found this really interesting for a while now, I catch the bus into the town centre quite a lot, and I can honestly say that almost if not everyone says thank you when they get off the bus. I think this is lovely but it amazes me because they are young, old, male, female, scruffy, smart, and I would imagine that some of these people would not have the same manners in other situations... what is it about buses? They all just walk off one by one and say thank you as they step off the bus. Perhaps I am wrong, and everyone in Lancashire has impeccable manners? Now wouldn't that be nice?

I reckon that must be a Northern (friendly) thing. I have never heard anyone down here in the South thank the bus driver. Mind you, I don't go on buses often as I use my bike, but still.

Talking about northern things. Was in Skipton over the weekend, and in one of the shops when one of the shop assistants shouted across to the other (across a crowded shop) without any worries whatsoever "I'm just going for a wee Sue, I'll be back soon" .. Must be a northern thing and never happens on Oxford Street. I found it lovely though!

Jangly, most people hereabouts thank the bus driver, we are in rural Essex, but I would always thank the driver wherever I am. Not travelled on a bus in London for 40 years. We will have to travel on the DLR when we go to the Olympics, I will make sure I thank the driver

Most of the people around here say thank you to the bus driver, too. The driver usually responds with an 'OK!', even though he must sometimes weary of doing so! He or she should be thanked, just like anyone else who provides a service, don't you think?

I have been using the bus to get the Grandchildren back and forward to school for the last few days as the car is off the road, it is years since I was last on a bus but yes everyone on the bus thanked the driver as they left the bus (maybe a Northern trait), and my Grandchildren also thanked him!

We have a bus driver that gives a running commentary on the history of the town as we pass each interesting building and boy is he good. He always says "good morning" and to the ladies " may I say how smart/pretty you are today" It would be churlish not to thank him when leaving the bus, in fact I have been known to go extra stops for a liitle more entertainment.

Our local bus has a notice telling people to take their tickets because nobody does, none of the locals anyway, so the driver has a supermarket bag attached somewhere within reach and when the untaken ticket roll has reached the floor or is otherwise noticeable, he tears it off and shoves it in the bag. Ticket inspector? What's that?

Glass half full interpretation: fewer small pieces of paper going everywhere.
Glass half empty: bloody passengers!

Everybody thanks the driver.

I thank the bus driver (not that I travel by bus very often) locally in Sussex but no-one does in Central London as far as I have noticed. Too wrapped up in their own world there and anyway the exit door for London buses is nowhere near the driver

I often travel by bus and occasionally get a miserable, grumpy, bad driver. No thanks for him or her. However, in general I always thank the driver if she or he has delivered me to my destination without me having to pray for safety.

The best bus driver in the world drives a Park and Ride bus in Bath! He always asks if you've had a nice day, enjoyed your shopping etc. etc. When thanked he responds with 'enjoy the rest of your day' or 'have a good evening'. He makes me smile! Lovely man!

"You all right there?" is probably my most hated phrase. Seems to be used in all sitations, shops, restaurants, everywhere.

plus, "Yes OF COURSE you can" or "No problem" when you've asked a shop assistant, or some other server to do something which is part of their job description anyway and they respond as if you are asking for something exceptional.

Oh, and by the way. I and lots of others in the South do thank bus drivers as they get off the bus. I find the drivers of London buses are just as variable as in other areas. Some are horrid and miserable and others are friendly.