How to Say Thank You
Be sincere., Be grateful., Use the right body language.
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Be sincere.
The most important part of saying thank you in person is being sincere.
The person you are thanking should understand that you mean what you say 100% and that you aren't just saying "thank you" out of obligation when you don't really mean it.
Here's how to do it:
Have a sincere tone of voice.
Don't say "thank you" as if it's an afterthought or as if someone else just told you to do it.
Speak clearly with an even tone, and show that you really mean every word you say.
Don't mumble.
Use sincere words.
Be specific and show that your thank you means something.
Don't just say, "Thanks," but really mean it say, "Thank you so much for helping me with my homework.
I never could have figured this out without your help." Be honest.
Being honest is a part of being sincere, so open up and say what you really mean.
Tell the person, "I don't know what I would do without you," if you really mean it. -
Step 2: Be grateful.
To say thank you in person, you have to show that you are truly grateful for what the person has done.
You should say that the person has impacted you in some way, whether it's big or small.
Your thank you should not be perfunctory, but it should show that the person's action really made a difference.
Here's how to explain how grateful you are:
Be specific.
Don't just say, "Thank you," but say, "Thank you for taking the time to help me pick out a prom dress.
I wouldn't have been able to do it alone.
If it wasn't for you, I never would have even tried on that blue dress, and now I can't imagine my prom without it." Show that you understood the person made a sacrifice.
Whether the person made a big or small sacrifice to do something nice for you, you should demonstrate that you appreciate that he or she had time to make the effort.
Say, "Thank you so much for letting me crash at your place last week.
I know it was a really busy time for you and it wasn't easy to have a house guest, and I really appreciate that you took me in anyway." Show that you're grateful for the results of the person's help.
If the person gave you an amazing book for your birthday, you can tell the person that you read the book, loved it, and that it had a big impact on your life. , Maintaining the right body language will help you fully demonstrate how thankful you are.
If your body doesn't communicate how much you mean it when you say thank you, then your words may be lost on the person you're thanking.
Here's how to have the right body language:
Maintain eye contact while you're thanking the person.
Look into the person's eyes and give the person all of your attention to show that you really care about what the person did.
Face your body toward the person you're thanking.
Keep your arms open and gesture if you need to.
Don't fold your arms at your sides, or you may look like you're reluctant about thanking the person and like you don't really want to be there.
Touch the person if it's appropriate.
While you don't want to scare off a person whom you don't know very well with your unwarranted touches, if you're thanking a friend or a family member, a light touch on his or her arm or shoulder, or even a hug if it feels right, can help communicate your true feelings.
Show your emotions.
If the person impacted your life in a big way, you don't have to cry, but let your face show how touched you are by that person's help. -
Step 3: Use the right body language.
Detailed Guide
The most important part of saying thank you in person is being sincere.
The person you are thanking should understand that you mean what you say 100% and that you aren't just saying "thank you" out of obligation when you don't really mean it.
Here's how to do it:
Have a sincere tone of voice.
Don't say "thank you" as if it's an afterthought or as if someone else just told you to do it.
Speak clearly with an even tone, and show that you really mean every word you say.
Don't mumble.
Use sincere words.
Be specific and show that your thank you means something.
Don't just say, "Thanks," but really mean it say, "Thank you so much for helping me with my homework.
I never could have figured this out without your help." Be honest.
Being honest is a part of being sincere, so open up and say what you really mean.
Tell the person, "I don't know what I would do without you," if you really mean it.
To say thank you in person, you have to show that you are truly grateful for what the person has done.
You should say that the person has impacted you in some way, whether it's big or small.
Your thank you should not be perfunctory, but it should show that the person's action really made a difference.
Here's how to explain how grateful you are:
Be specific.
Don't just say, "Thank you," but say, "Thank you for taking the time to help me pick out a prom dress.
I wouldn't have been able to do it alone.
If it wasn't for you, I never would have even tried on that blue dress, and now I can't imagine my prom without it." Show that you understood the person made a sacrifice.
Whether the person made a big or small sacrifice to do something nice for you, you should demonstrate that you appreciate that he or she had time to make the effort.
Say, "Thank you so much for letting me crash at your place last week.
I know it was a really busy time for you and it wasn't easy to have a house guest, and I really appreciate that you took me in anyway." Show that you're grateful for the results of the person's help.
If the person gave you an amazing book for your birthday, you can tell the person that you read the book, loved it, and that it had a big impact on your life. , Maintaining the right body language will help you fully demonstrate how thankful you are.
If your body doesn't communicate how much you mean it when you say thank you, then your words may be lost on the person you're thanking.
Here's how to have the right body language:
Maintain eye contact while you're thanking the person.
Look into the person's eyes and give the person all of your attention to show that you really care about what the person did.
Face your body toward the person you're thanking.
Keep your arms open and gesture if you need to.
Don't fold your arms at your sides, or you may look like you're reluctant about thanking the person and like you don't really want to be there.
Touch the person if it's appropriate.
While you don't want to scare off a person whom you don't know very well with your unwarranted touches, if you're thanking a friend or a family member, a light touch on his or her arm or shoulder, or even a hug if it feels right, can help communicate your true feelings.
Show your emotions.
If the person impacted your life in a big way, you don't have to cry, but let your face show how touched you are by that person's help.
About the Author
Ann Johnson
Enthusiastic about teaching practical skills techniques through clear, step-by-step guides.
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