[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.