If someone doesn't say "Thank You"  to me, I still say "You're Welcome"  hoping that the next time they'll not need to be prompted.  Raised by wolves is no excuse!

no, not at all....most say it....and children say it, if they are "taught" to say it....my grandchildren are all very respectful and will absolutely say it to everyone....

"Thank you," and "You are welcome" each require observation and mindful responses. 

In the mindless, reactive society in which we live, these sweet words become increasingly rare.

Mindfulness is about observing and making recognition to those who do that which is worthy.

Please and Thank You are timeless and they have more value today, than ever before. It's amazing that my mom got it right by the time I was a toddler. I was raised with please, thank you and may I? I was taught to stand up straight, look'em in the eye and be polite. I was taught to send thank you notes and use proper English in conversation & writing (I get that one wroing often). Momma knew, what 1,000's go to seminars now to learn and even more have forgotten, or never got the message.

But, like in the parable; I'm the coffee not the egg nor the carrot. The boiling water is changed by me, I don't let it change my state of being.

No, those words are not so hard to say or at least they shouldn't be.  There's always enough time to be polite enough to say them.

We're all getting old.  It has nothing to do with saying "thank you" and "you're welcome".  People who don't bother are rude regardless of their age. 

Not for me but it seems to almost kill many to speak the words.  Your not old rather smart.

All it takes is a moment to seal the commitment from clients with a little sugar!

They seem to have been replaced by  "No Problem"

Both terms are part of my vocabulary.

Your wife is right and that's a good thing -- consider the alternative.  

Paul S. Henderson, Realtor, Tacoma Washington I'm from the old school where it is a common courtesy.

Many failed to say these things back in the old days too, perhaps we are all getting old.

I'm not sure why we don't hear it more often. I think it is a generational thing and it's sad.

Unfortunately those words are not a part of many peoples lexicon.

For most people that I talk with they are part of every conversation.

Paul - Well, you certainly do not hear them very much anymore. When someone helps me I make sure to thank them.

It depends on who you say it to.  If it's your wife, then yes, you are getting old.  If it a client, then you are just inconsiderate.

I think 'no problem' is the new way of saying your welcome. The times they do change. 

I'm beginning to wonder that myself, and I'm 28, so it has nothing to do with age. 

Your wife is probably right that you're getting old :) but I don't agree that it's too hard to say thank you and you're welcome!

They should be automatic, but today they're often lacking. What annoys me is when I say thank you and the other person says "No problem."

This usually happens in retail establishments and I'm always tempted to stop and ask if serving a customer should have been a problem.

Oh, Paul!  You're not old!  And if you are, there are worse things, like being young and rude!

Never too hard and always appreciated; "please" too. Hate the "aha" instead of "thank you".

No it's not.  And, I still use these words all the time.

I don't find them hard to say at all, when they are earned and deserved.   I make a point to thank my clients, title/escrow officer, lender and other agent(s) for a job well done, on each and every transaction.  I am not the only one, I have 146 reviews on Zillow.com where clients thanked me for a job(s) well done.

Thank you for taking the time to write this question.
Spirit

Paul it is all in how we were raised.  In today's generation not so much.  We are a dying breed Mr. Henderson...

I have trouble even getting a hello from most!

Paul S. Henderson, Realtor, Tacoma Washington I do not think it is hard. It's how we are taught to say that.

And we should teach the same to next generation.