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So, let's talk about saying "Thank You"

I think most people already know the basic

Thank You or Thanks

But to me, it does sound a little bit unnatural to JUST say

"Thank You" or "Thanks" without continuing the idea

A native speaker will normally continue the idea.

for example

I usually say

Thanks, I appreciate it.

"I appreciate it" means I give value to what you have done for me.

Let's practice saying that: thanks, I appreciate it.

There are SOME situations where it is ok JUST to say

"Thanks or "Thank You"

Normally it's when someone does something small for you.

Like when a waiter or a waitress brings you Your food or a drink in a restaurant.

But what about when someone does something REALLY nice, and you REALLY want to say thanks?

I'm going to tell you something now That might surprise you.

DON'T SAY thanks a lot or thank you very much.

Why not? Native speakers normally only use the phrase thanks a lot

When they are being sarcastic.

"Sarcastic": means when you mean the opposite of what you say.

So when a native speaker says "Thanks a lot,"

What they mean is "thanks for nothing."

For example, in the United States a standard tip in a restaurant is 15%

If you go to a restaurant

and leave less than 15%...

Mmmm... I just LOVE the cheesecake in the cheesecake factory!

Ooh! Let's look at the bill!

Oh, I remember Shane say us in the US we must put many extra moneys.

it's $100...

So...

One hundred... and one?

For you my friend. One hundred, and Extra one is for you keeping.

You might hear the waiter say:

Wow, a dollar.

Thanks a lot!

Because it's used sarcastically so often

it's not a good idea to say thanks a lot when you really want to say "Thank You."

"Thank you very much" just isn't used very much anymore.

In fact, the only two people I can think of who say it are 1. Elvis

and 2. Lex Brodie - the owner of a tire company in Hawaii.

"Thank you - very much."

So what DO native speakers say When they really want to thank someone?

I really can't thank you enough.

Thank you SO much.

Pay attention to the emphasis

Thank you SO much.

Notice: the emphasis is on the "So". Say it with me:

Thank you SO much.

This one is really common:

You shouldn't have!

I don't know what to say

You're acting surprised: I don't know what to say.

Notice: these are all very dramatic so it would not be appropriate if someone gave you a beer

To say: "For me? You shouldn't have!" No.

if someone has already done something for you

and you do something nice for them

then they thank you

You can say: "It was the least I could do." "It was the least I could do."

Shane I don't know how to thank you. It was the least I could do, after what you did for me.

Now in different parts of the world

People say "Thank You" in different ways

For example in England (UK) sometimes people say

Cheers

But be careful with this because in the US, Cheers is what people say before they have a drink

A younger, cool

kind of "hip-hop" way to say thanks would be:

Good lookin' out. (Thanks for looking out for me)

People in New York say it a lot

Yo - Good lookin' out.

Be careful with these regional ways of saying thank you

People might not understand

So remember: DON'T SAY Thanks a lot Or Thank you very much

You can say

Thanks, I appreciate it

I can't thank you enough

Thank you so much