I like to think of myself as a thankful person - someone who is appropriately appreciative of favors done on my behalf. I don't remember in detail all of the efforts my parents and grandparents must have gone through to teach me to say "thank you" whenever it was proper to do so, but my perception is that they taught me well.
For example, I thank my wife for reasons big and small. I thank family and friends similarly. At a restaurant I thank the server for taking my order, bringing my drink, bringing my salad, bringing my drink refill, bringing my meal, asking if I'd like another drink refill, picking up my empty plate, etc.
I thank the person who holds a door or elevator for me. I thank the others at my office whenever they help me throughout the work day. I thank clerks at stores. I thank the person in crowded traffic who lets me change lanes. I even thank our dogs when they lick my hand or face. By now, you certainly get the idea. In fact, I sometim