Are people in England really so kind?

To quote myself from When you pay someone to do something, should you still thank them?:

"In the UK people say thank you ...

• ... to bus drivers when we are getting off.
• ... to supermarket checkout girls when they give us change.
• ... to bar staff when they give us our drinks.
• ... to waitresses when they clear our table.
• ... to cinema ushers when they return our ticket stubs.
• ... to the postman when he hands us the mail.
• ... to the doctor when he gives us our prescription and ...
• ... to the chemist when they fill it out.
• ... to binmen when they take a heavy rubbish bag off our hands.
• ... to the gas/electricity/water meter reader when they've done their checks.
• ... to the paper boy/girl when they bring the local rag.
• ... to the dentist even after they've pulled your teeth out.
• ... to hairdressers after the cut, even if it's not quite what you wanted.
• ... to the car park attendant after you've just paid a fortune for 20 minutes.
• ... to anyone who does anything for you in fact, whether you paid or it's free.

Why? Because manners cost nothing and everyone feels good about it."

We tend to think that a little politeness goes a long way. 'Please' and 'thank you' are well-used words in the UK. It can take some getting used to when, like me, you live in a country where people rarely say them.

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