.... benefits beyond a stiff back and flabby rear!! The benefits being catching amazing programs on the CBC. On Monday I caught an incredible interview with Margaret Visser, an author who wrote a book all about how we express "thanks". Her book is called The Gift of Thanks: The roots, persistence, and paradoxical meanings of a social ritual. It is almost impossible for me to explain the complexity of her musings, but also the simplicity of her points in a manner that does the well spoken woman justice! Here is something someone else on her website has written "This fascinating inquiry into all aspects of gratefulness ranges from the unusual determination with which parents teach their children to thank, to the difference between speaking the words and feeling them, to the way different cultures handle the amazingly complex and important matter of giving, receiving, and returning favours and presents"
What struck me so significantly was that (a) thankfulness can not be forced -- it is or it is not genuine (b) reasons for thanking someone vary in cultures (c) being thankful is a socially charged word for some as to be the giver in western society has more status than the reciever.... (d) Apologies and thanks are also related as they cannot be forced, nor can they be forced to be accepted. But when truly extended they are an opening of one's heart.
I think she is someone I may just have to read. Forget Malcolm Gladwell for social commentary....
