How to Make Them Want to Thank You

To wrap up our section on sounding like the big boys and big girls,

here is a simple and gracious little maneuver. It not only signals

people you're a top communicator, but it encourages them to keep

doing nice things for you. Or complimenting you. Or doing business with you. Or loving you. It is very short. It is very sweet. It

is very simple. You can use it with everyone in your life. When it

becomes instinctive, you'll find yourself using it every day.

Very simply, never let the phrase thank you stand naked and

alone. Always make it thank you for something. People use the

bare exposed "thank you" so often that people don't even hear it

anymore. When we buy the morning newspaper, we flash a naked

"thank you" at the vendor when he gives us our nickel's change. Is

that the same "thank you" you want to give a valued customer who

makes a big purchase in your store? Or a loved one who cooks you

a delicious dinner?

Whenever the occasion warrants more than an unconscious

acknowledgment, dress up your "thank you" with the reason:

Thank you for coming.

Thank you for being so understanding.

140

How to Make Them

Want to Thank You

✰37

03 (093-142B) part three 8/14/03 9:17 AM Page 140

Thank you for waiting.

Thank you for being such a good customer.

Thank you for being so loving.

Often, when I disembark an airplane, the captain and first

officer are standing by the cockpit door to bid the passengers

farewell. I say, "Thanks for getting us here." Admittedly, that's carrying "Never the Naked Thank You" technique to extremes, but

it has a surprising effect. They fall all over themselves with "Oh,

thanks for flying with us!"