Women Are Challenging Social Norms By Saying “I Know” Instead Of “Thank You.” And I Am Here For It.

I have a question, and there is no right or wrong answer.

Are we owed the words Thank You?

While it is nice to hear whenever we do a good deed, are we really obligated to receive those infamous two words afterwards? Or have we gotten so used to saying it to each other that it has lost all meaning?

One time my coworker and I were heading to lunch. A very pregnant woman was walking towards the door behind me. In typical polite fashion, I held the door open for her. She never smiled or uttered a thank you. Her face showed absolutely no signs of appreciation either. I thought it was odd but I let it go.

Once we got back from grabbing food I saw the pregnant lady again. And I chose to hold the heavy glass door open for her again. Like before, she walked past me with a mean mug on her face without saying anything. And while I was a little offended it got me thinking.

In reality, I didn’t have to hold the door open for this woman. I made the choice to. Not once, but twice at that. Maybe she comes from a culture where holding doors doesn’t mean you deserve a verbal reward? After all, did I even deserve praise for being a decent person? Does holding doors for strangers even make me a…