[CORedneck]

Sometime, I would say "your welcome". Most of the time, people aren't thinking and say "thank you" after I said, "your welcome". A small percentage would become an @$$ about what I said.

Each of my two children have been known to hold open a door for some ungrateful slob who didn't even bother to say thank you. This always shocks my kids and they've complained to me about it. I recalled the response to this very issue by one of the advice gurus and told my children that they shouldn't expect a thank you for something they did without being asked. They held the door on their own so they were really doing it for themselves. If they get a thank you in response, that is great - but if not, just be happy within yourself that you did the right thing and were kind to someone.....even if that person is an ass.

[WhyisaTexasgirlinPA]

That is actually the reason I talked to my kids about this.... we had all been guilty of saying "you're welcome" in a kind of sarcastic way because we thought it was rude of the person not to thank us. But, if you think about it, they didn't ask you to hold open the door - you did it of your own volition. You are polite and hold the door as a goodwill gesture but are you doing it because you need someone to thank you, or doing it because it makes you feel good?

I think it is wonderful when someone holds a door and I always thank them - and appreciate knowing you are a nice person who cares enough to do so as well - but I just wanted my kids to realize they can't force someone else to be nice so not to be disappointed if they aren't.