This idea was inspired by my "inapporopriate swearing" hit (linked) that i posetd a few weeks back.
Today, the avearage person uses the words 'thank-you' about 12 timesa day (at work, shopping, at home etc) - I know this because I counted. This means that people on avearage are thanked 12 times a
day...based on the average life expectancy of the west, thats about 262800 (not counting the uncapable / discourteous 0 - 18 year olds)....of course this figure varies depending on ones upbringing
We hear it so much so that its almost a 'hello' or 'goodbye' in a standard conversation, and hearing it so much substantially reduces the feeling of ones sincerity and greatly devalues the meaning. We often even forget those who say 'thankyou' and remember those who don't.
What 'thankyou' needs is a facelift - a way of making it as well recieved as intended, and I believe this can effectively be done by using questionable thank-yous that make the receivers conciously think about, and thus remember the effort made to show such appreciation.
They could be sarcastic thankyous, sencerely delivered, with full on eye contact and the little reflex nod-of-the-head. such as
I should probably thank you right?
fine then... thankyou.
Ok....well... thankyou
Thankyou... I guess
pshhhh.... thanks
Alternatively they could contain endearing terms when delivered (again sincerely delivered so not to seem sleezy). such as
Thankyou baby/sweetie /darlin/cupcake /pumpkin/honey /pudding etc
OR (and this is only for the daring) people could use inappropriate phrases with a sleezy connotation, but delivered as poker-face as possible (sincerety would just seem perverse). such as (and I strongly suggest these be used only on departure to avoid EXTREME akwardness)
you really do it for me...thanks
you taste good...thanks
thankyou for not screaming
thanks....now sex?
Or...and this is just bizzare but i'm gonna throw it up in the air. One departs a 'thankyou' scene using vulgarity. this would jus purely be used to be remembered. such as
balls
piss bucket
horseshit
Using these in apporopriate situations (IE not to individuals of seniority such as - boss, police, wife, man with gun etc) would guarentee you're standing out fromt he rest and being remembered as the guy who used the very questionable 'thankyou'
shitballs!