Quote Originally Posted by Awha View Post
Positive feedback is not something I understand cause I did not grow up with it. I come from a service family, so we have expectations and duties that had to be done no questions asked. In essences you were not rewarded for doing what you were supposed to do.

Though I will say this, I have never worked in retail, but I have seen how people treat those that do and I disagree with much of the treatment. Especially during this time of COVID, it is not the fault of the staff that things operate a certain way. In the same boat I also do not get how some people let the negative experiences with one person bleed over into the encounter with another.

Though I do get the idea behind it I think, it may be akin to receiving an unexpected gift it does tend to lift the spirits. Though this harkens back to my old man, he worked in the medical field after he left the service. He told me a story about how a person thanked them, and he told them no need for thanks. When the person asked why, he mentioned you are only thanking me cause I gave you good news, if I had bad news you would not be thanking me.

I get GM interaction and medical interactions differ greatly. Guess I was just raised extremely differently. Though I do have a better understanding as to why it may make one feel good or brighter up their day. I will remember this for the future. Thanks
I think I get where you're coming from now, and I'm sorry for being snarky in my initial response.

I think there's definitely cultural and generational differences that are always going to be at play with this sort of thing. Here in Australia, while we don't tip, saying "thank you" is the expected, conventional and polite thing to do. When the server clears your table, a quick "thanks" (just one person, it's not a schoolroom chorus). When the cashier hands you your receipt, a quick "thanks". When you don't want help from the employee walking the floor, "no thanks".

Over here, it's not a bum pat and it's not seen as positive reinforcement for going above and beyond, or even for a job well done: it's just considered a social convention. It's the cultural norm, and it's seen as rude not to do it because it's as natural as saying hello.