Dear Annie: Is saying “thank you” out of style now?

Dear Annie: Is saying “thank you” out of style now? If so, I need to change my ways. Polite people are seen as pushovers, I suppose. When leaving a grocery checkout, I usually thank the cashier, but shouldn’t they be thanking the customer? Rarely if ever does that happen! Do they not understand the customer is helping pay their wages so they can buy groceries? — Saying Thank You

Dear Thank You: Showing appreciation or gratitude is always a good idea. It makes you feel good, and it usually helps the person on the receiving end feel good, too. But expecting a cashier at the grocery store to say thank you might be a little much. If they do thank you for your business, great. But if not, cut them some slack, and just say thank you with a smile, not expecting anything in return.

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“How Can I Forgive My Cheating Partner?” is out now! Annie Lane’s second anthology — featuring favorite columns on marriage, infidelity, communication and reconciliation — is available as a paperback and e-book. Visit Creators Publishing for more information. Send your questions for Annie Lane to [email protected].