AARP Hearing Center
Call them pet peeves. Call them the decline of civilization as we know it. But whatever you call these bruises to our rules of etiquette, please just don’t call them an improvement.
1. People don’t say, “No, thank you.”
This is the correct response to turning down something you are offered. Instead, some have taken to responding with “I’m good.” I’m glad you are well – or maybe you mean you excel at something, but all I’m asking is if you’d like another helping of spinach. (For those who care, “good” is an adjective and “well” is an adverb.)
2. They also don’t thank you properly. `
Some people don’t bother letting you know that your gift arrived or that they appreciate the help you gave them setting up for a party or the ride to the airport you provided at 6 a.m. when their Lyft didn’t show. No, sending a thank-you text and heart emoji is not the correct response. While nobody enjoys wasting paper or likes having to buy a postage stamp, a handwritten note requires a greater effort and, thereby, reflects a higher degree of your appreciation. Heck, I’d even settle for a phone call or a small gift from wherever that plane took you.
3. People don’t say, “You’re welcome.”
When someone thanks you, “no problem” is not the appropriate response. If “you’re welcome” can’t roll off your tongue, try “it was my pleasure” or “I was happy to help.” Assuring me that you were not the least bit inconvenienced or pained by doing something nice for me doesn’t cut it.
4. Where oh where has “I’m sorry” gone?
This wonderful catchall apology phrase has been misused and abandoned of late. It’s been replaced with “my bad” when someone does you wrong.
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