The underappreciated art of saying thanks

When done right, a little show of gratitude can make a big difference

In the immortal words from that song from the Karate Kid...
(Image credit: Illustrated | iStock)

On the street the other day, I overheard a woman talking earnestly on the phone as she walked a few feet away from me. I couldn't help listening (in fairness, if you're talking on the street, your conversation is probably fair game for my ears). "I don't know what I'll do," she said. "But I am so grateful to you for talking to me about it. Thank you so much for the time you've given me, I really appreciate it."

Wow, I thought, as our paths diverged. Now THAT is how you do a thank you.

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Jen Doll

Jen Doll is the author of the memoir Save the Date: The Occasional Mortifications of a Serial Wedding Guest. She's also the managing editor for Mental Floss magazine and has written for The Atlantic, Esquire, Glamour, Marie Claire, The Hairpin, New York magazine, The New Republic, The New York Times Book Review The Village Voice, and other publications.