Researchers who polled 2,000 adults found theyโll typically express their gratitude 207 times a month โ but 54 of those thank yous are uttered just for the sake of it.
And perhaps as a result, a quarter believe the art of genuinely thanking someone else is โdying outโ.
However, an insincere thank you is still better than nothing โ a third admitted they feel โupsetโ if they donโt get acknowledged for their actions.
Furthermore, 63 per cent believe good manners are important โ and 51 per cent even suggest having good manners makes you a better person.
The research was commissioned by Virgin Media O2 ahead of โThank You Dayโ which took place on Sunday July 4.
To mark the occasion, the broadband and mobile phone network provider has teamed-up with etiquette expert William Hanson to create a guide on how to show gratitude.
William Hanson said: โBrits have a complicated relationship with giving thanks.
โOn the one hand, we are quite buttoned-down, and itโs not โthe done thingโ to show too much emotion.
โOn the other, many of us take pride in our manners โ and saying please and thank you is critical to that.
โItโs clear that we need to focus on not just saying โthank youโ to someone, but more importantly, making sure itโs a genuine expression of our gratitude.โ
The study also found nearly three in 10 find a text or WhatsApp message their preferred method for expressing thanks.
One in four will go as far as sending a gift, like a bouquet of flowers, to show their appreciation to someone.
And 12 per cent will take to social media to shout someone out for something they are grateful for.
While more than half (55 per cent) of Brits believe they have become โmore gratefulโ during the pandemic.
Four in 10 feel saying thank you helps those receiving it with their own mental health and wellbeing, with 90 per cent saying it is โgood for their healthโ.
WILLIAM HANSONโS TOP TIPS FOR SHOWING GRATITUDE:
1. Effort and gratitude go hand in hand.
Want to thank someone for a delicious dinner or a lovingly prepared lunch?
Itโs about what you say and not how you say it.
Gratitude is wonderful in all its forms – take the time to craft the message and really think about what you want to say.
2. Emotion may not come naturally to us Brits – although we’re getting better, thank heavens.
If you’re ever unsure of the exact wording of your thanks, my advice is not to overthink it.
Just write or say what comes naturally.
Draft it first, if needs be.
Something sincere, from the heart, will shine more than an overly moderated message.
3. When you aren’t able to write to say thank you, pick up the telephone or dial them on video chat (or do both and send something written the next day!).
We have so many ways to connect with people today, so there’s really no excuse not to.
You can use the fantastic technology thatโs available at our fingertips to show them that youโre wearing the new jumper they got you, or how beautiful the flowers they sent you look in a vase.
4. Feel free to use various ways to express your gratitude: a quick phone call on the day you get the present, followed by a letter a few days later.
Remember – you can never say thank you enough.
