Saying "Thank You" doesn't Cost You Face
Saying “Thank You” Does not Cost You Face
One of the recent newspaper headlines has caught many people by surprise. It’
s far from new, though. Thanks to some aid program, some college students from
poor families have been able to receive final aids from some voluntary donors, some of whom successful businesspeople and some wealthy celebrities. It’s always good to hear this because this campaign – it doesn’t matter whether it’s spontaneous or government-run - helps the needy and gives people, to a greater or
lesser degree, confidence in human relations which seem to have become razor-thin over the years.
However, donors are reported to have been discouraged by the fact that two-thirds of the recipients are not willing even to write to thank them for their generosity, and have thought of making no more contributions. “Why should I keep giving away money if it’s not truly needed and appreciated,” complain these benefactors. On the other side of the controversy are those “unthankful” students who underline their self-esteem and their unwillingness to be regarded different, even only financially, from their peers. Obviously for these students who believe in the principle of “I am poor, but I am not inferior”, writing a thank
-you letter to their helpers seems to lose face, and they would therefore rather
live hand-to-mouth lives than to keep receiving and thanking the strange, though kind as they would agree, people. Both sides sound just as much reasonable.
By no means am I trying to judge, but I think it’s only human nature to be thankful for things, whether in material form or spirit, that we receive, and helping others is forever a human virtue that should be encouraged and be thanked. For a sincere donor, the knowledge that his/her extra effort helps a poor student
get through the life difficulties is inspiring; while for the receiver, though it’s unwise to “look a gift horse in the mouth”, a genuine “thank you for your help” is never out of place. After all, one never really loses face by expressing gratitude. If you ask me, being financially poor isn’t your fault, but being ungrateful toward those who kindly help you certainly is.
Panpanpan.
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