You're Welcome!

Imagine this typical interaction at a birthday party: A kid, who I will call Billy, opens a present from Uncle Randy. Billy thinks this new toy is amazing, but as he goes to unbox and play with it, his mother stops him and says "Billy, what do you say to Uncle Randy?" Then Billy stops and says "Thank you, Uncle Randy" and then goes off to play. What did Uncle Randy say? Nothing. Who is there to say, "Uncle Randy, what do you say to Billy?" Nobody. Why not? 

Think about it. We all know why it is important to say thank you: an expression of gratitude. I believe it is just as important to say you're welcome: an acknowledgement of the other's gratitude and an expression of your heartfelt willingness to give. It is almost as if you are saying "you are welcome to ask for and receive what you want or need." 

Now let's talk about one common alternative: no problem. Though often a more common response when thanked, it does not satisfactorily acknowledge the other's gratitude. In fact, it either dismisses it entirely or invokes a selfish expectation of it. It is almost as if you are saying "Why are you even thanking me? I didn't do anything that would inconvenience me." or "It didn't bother me to help you, but yeah, if it did, you should be thankful." 

What should we do now then? For me personally, I have made it a habit to say you're welcome and I hope to encourage and kindly remind my family and close friends to do the same. Remember: politeness is not overrated and there is a response to thank you.