The word “thank you” has been an integral part of the English language from time immemorial. Its existence can be traced as far as to the Neanderthal man because it was only then that men started realizing the need of expressing themselves as a tool to develop a civilization and a progressive society. The need to say thank you, one surmises must have originated from those times. Once men started inhabiting a particular area and living in groups which were called tribes, they for once realized how dependent they were on their fellow mates. The introduction of the system of division of labor further established the fact that man was dependent to a certain extent on other men and no individual could attain complete self-reliance. Such a state was only possible under Utopian conditions.

The realization of their dependence on other fellow human beings gave rise to the feeling of thanking them as well. For beginners people started thanking their parents because parents were in the most strategic position to mould a person and their contribution in making of the person is the greatest.

Our entire existence is owed to our elders and thanking them for the pains they have taken over us is our humanist duty. Our thanksgiving ways could be manifested in various forms such as a verbal thank you or following such a way of life that is in accordance with the elder’s theory of disciplined living. Our elders and betters try and accomplish everything within their frugal means to make ends meet and fulfill all of our whims and fancies and for this effort of theirs they are undoubtedly entitled to a small but touching thank you word from the recipients of their unending love. So next time you take a favor from your parents or for that matter your older sibling or aunt or uncle don’t be rude and indifferent enough to receive it without a heartfelt Thank You.