I'm a little surprised by the discussion around the word thank you. Surely "please" and "thank you" are the two cornerstones of manners? Even the most socially awkward person can cough up "please" or "thank you" when the situation warrants it. Or am I just totally out of sync with society today. I insist my kids say please and thank you - it's up to other parents if they do or don't. But it is what I do as I think good manners in children stand out a country mile. ETA: It was a "thanks" from the mother that I was hoping for ... not really the two-ish year old child.

I'm compassionate, I'm empathetic, I like to make my kids happy and I'm happy to make other people's kids happy. I don't do things for other people to make myself feel good.

So while I'm happy to give another kid a ride when my boys are on the roundabout. I just like to hear "thank you", that's all.