Thank Your (Blank) Today
 

Ok, I've been giving it some thought lately as to how much a sincere thank you can mean. I've been making an honest effort to thank people who go above and beyond what is expected but still don't get the appreciation they deserve. A couple of examples I can think of are secretaries and barbers. I've had both a secretary and a barber go above and beyond the expectations and I thanked both. I could tell that they truly appreciated me taking the time to thank them for doing so. I tutor students in math and this past weekend I had a particular student that I could tell was having trouble and I was having a hard time explaining it in her terms. After we were done, she seemed like she was doing better and she took the time to thank me. Everyone that comes to me for math help thanks me because its polite. But hers was different. I could tell that she was truly sincere and that it wasn't because it was expected but it was because she really appreciated it. I will make the suggestion that those that take part in this thread are certain that their thank you's are sincere so that they have meaning behind them.

In short: Take time to thank someone today. Please share occupations that you believe are generally under-appreciated so it will bring our attention to this job and might allow us to show others in this situation appreciation as well. A simple explanation of each would be good if you have a particular reason that you believe they deserve thanks.

To start the list:
1. Barber
2. Secretary

Re: Thank Your (Blank) Today
 

Snow plow driver - Everyone complains when they get to work late because of them and don't appreciate the job their doing.

Truck drivers - Getting the goods to store so we can have a better life.

Tow truck drivers - There when we need them but underappreciated.

Store sales persons - They are not there for you to order around.

Re: Thank Your (Blank) Today
 

Servers

Re: Thank Your (Blank) Today
 

I am assuming you mean servers as in the people who serve your food at a restaurant. If that is the case I agree. I am a firm believer that everyone should have to work as a server at some point in their life (or in a similar role in retail or another industry). It amazes me how rude some people are to their servers, it is rarely the servers fault if the kitchen is slow or if something is prepared wrong. The server always seems to get the blame when something goes wrong but never the credit when everything is good. Anyone who has worked as a server has undoubtedly been yelled at by someone because there is something wrong with their food, however when the meal comes out great the cooks get all the credit. In the restaurant industry the server is really just the face for many people who are doing a lot of work.

Also it is important to remember that while the idea behind tips is that you give a tip if you received good service tipping has become mandatory. Tip eligible staff (servers and bartenders) are typically paid an extremely low wage (under minimum wage it was $2.65 an hour when I was a server ~5 years ago) because the wage is expected to be supplemented with tips. That means if you don't tip then the server is essentially not being paid for the time they served you. As a rule you can consider the recommended 15% to be completing the servers pay for the time they served you, if service was good then you should tip more (in addition to the 15%)




On the other hand if you meant servers like the computers that keep CD up and running while I agree you should appreciate them publically thanking them is probably not necessary.

Re: Thank Your (Blank) Today
 

I was meaning servers in a restaurant. I was getting paid $2.13 an hour this year and found the money was not always that great so I have moved into retail primarily children's shoes.

Even in that environment I get yelled at for the shoe being too expensive, not having a debt machine or once not giving her an extra discount that we did not have available.

Re: Thank Your (Blank) Today
 

Ok, since it came up. My thoughts on tips. Yes, tipping is appreciated and needed. They are not a proper form of thank you. Be sure to give them a sincere thank you for their service when leaving. Sometimes a kind word will mean more then a few extra dollars on a tip. Also, a nice tip is no excuse for being rude. Similarly, kindness is not an excuse not to tip properly. Please lets leave the tipping out of this. It simply isn't the same thing as thanking the person and as such is not what this thread was created for.

Jason

Re: Thank Your (Blank) Today
 

Wow, I would thank anybody that could summarize that last post :P

But really, Thank a blood donor today

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I'll take this challenge. The summary is that he doesn't know how to read the thread topic. This thread is about mentioning people should thank. Not talking about those that don't deserve thanks. If anyone wants to start a thread complaining about people, feel free. This thread is specifically intended to promote appreciation for a job well-done. Admittedly not every person of a category does a good job. I mentioned barbers. Some barbers might give a bad haircut and I won't suggest thanking them for it. The point was, if your barber does a good job(and think about it next time) be sure to thank them.

Note to all: Please focus on the topic at hand. This thread is meant to promote appreciation and so far half the words in it are negative.

Note to Springs1: Please move your post to a more fitting thread. If you can't find one, make one. Your negativity is neither wanted nor appreciated here.

Re: Thank Your (Blank) Today
 

Thank a custodian.

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And when you're done, thank the custodian again. Then find another custodian to thank. Twice.

The most important groups of people in any business are the secretarial staff, custodial staff, and kitchen staff. These three groups truly make all major decisions and have access to all areas and resources in the building.

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Thanks for the thanks - you would be surprised how many customers don't say a word other than "I need x and y, how much do they cost" so it's much appreciated.


Telemarketers - Okay, maybe not someone to say "thank you" to, but they at least deserve some kind of respect. They're just doing their job - even if it's calling you in the middle of your dinner - and sometimes, a job is a job. Being courteous will often get the same results as rudely complaining and hanging up the phone.

Power line workers - That job is crazy dangerous. Give them props for it.

Construction workers - Making your morning commute more enjoyable (in the long run)

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team 47 - for which we would not have this incredible forum that can many teams rely on for information.

All jobs mentioned from the show dirty jobs - watch an episode an educate yourself on what many people do to make your life easier.

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Teachers and school administration- you don't know the crap they have to put up with and deal with for you to have an FRC team

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Your coworkers. Its easy to take the people around you for granted and just write off their contributions as them doing their job. If there is a person at your job that taught you alot when you started or just has been an excellent resource over the years. Be sure to let them know and thank them.

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Nurses: Most of the time they do all the nasty stuff and yet they still make you feel better

Police and Fireman: Need I say more......very underpaid and appreciated.