[icebraining]

It's obvious that it's appreciated

Not around here, it isn't. I tried that three times, giving up after getting a mix of disinterest and hostility.

Which frankly confirms my instincts, I only tried because I've learned not to assume that my preferences match the general public's.

[pessimizer]

> Not around here, it isn't. I tried that three times, giving up after getting a mix of disinterest and hostility.

Someone physically and/or verbally attacked you for thanking them? That's the only negative outcome that I can imagine, and what I'm reading when you say "hostility."

Lack of interest seems a typical result - are you expecting to be thanked for thanking people? Theoretically, that forms a chain never ends. I thank everyone for everything that they do for me; sometimes they reply with "you're welcome", sometimes our 'thank-you's collide because while I'm thanking them for their service, they're thanking me for my patronage, sometimes I get a smile, often I get no indication that I've said anything.

None of those are failures, because the goal was for me to thank people, not to be praised for thanking people.

[icebraining]

Let me make myself clear, I always thank people. What I did those days was to be mindful and sincere instead of thanking in auto-pilot.

Someone physically and/or verbally attacked you for thanking them? That's the only negative outcome that I can imagine, and what I'm reading when you say "hostility."

Attack seems too strong, but an hostile tone, yes. More than once.

My goal wasn't to be praised, but I did have a goal of actually causing a positive effect on others; I have no interest in "good deeds" that help no one except the performer to feel proud about himself.

Considering that all signs indicated I was actually bothering people, I stopped, as I think anyone should.

[learnstats2]

While I show you respect for your effort, you could try it 3 times per day. If you feel genuinely grateful, I recommend that you try more.

Some people don't appreciate it; some people think you are being ungenuine; some people don't notice or care; some people find it uncomfortable that you're choosing to break the social code; some people are confused by that. Yes, you're right.

So what? Are you giving thanks because you want a service worker to validate you, or because you are grateful to the other person and you want to show your appreciation?

I interact with many store clerks more than once and, on the second occasion, I want them to know clearly that I wasn't pretending when I gave thanks the first time. A majority appreciate it.

[icebraining]

So what? Are you giving thanks because you want a service worker to validate you, or because you are grateful to the other person?

Neither, if I give thanks it's to improve the other person's day. Giving thanks just because I'm grateful, regardless if the other person will appreciate or be annoyed, is just being selfish - making myself feel more virtuous without actually improving anyone's life.

I interact with many store clerks more than once

Ah, yes, I also have a friendly relationship with a couple of people, like the corner store owner, and I thank them habitually. I was speaking about people I only interact with once or rarely.