Why do people help each other? Is it for fame or is it for the honour?
Often, many believe that those who care for others only do it to feel good about themselves. Maybe they do, but what these people really yearn to hear are these two magic words, “thank you.”
An expression of thanks is not always expected, but it is always appreciated because the world is full of people who fulfill their duties thanklessly to make others’ lives better, a prime example being our parents, who work day and night to ensure we live happily. A simple expression of gratitude makes another person feel seen, appreciated, and cared for like the person they work hard for.
A glimpse into the past: The history of International Thank You Day
The holiday of International Thank You Day is based on history that dates back to ancient cultures. Over 4000 years ago, people demonstrated their need to communicate, with the Egyptians documenting messages for personal use on papyrus while the Chinese utilized the earliest forms of paper to write greetings, wishes, and likely the simple act of saying “thank you.”
By the mid-1400s, Europeans had adopted the practice of creating handmade greetings from natural materials and sharing them with family and friends. This was the first step towards creating a social custom around the written word that commemorates appreciation through tangible items. The next important development in the history of this holiday occurred in the 1870s when Louis Prang began to manufacture and sell greeting cards out of Boston, MA, assisting with the widespread proliferation of this practice throughout the United States.
Over time, sending and/or receiving a thank-you letter or card has become part of a worldwide culture and is celebrated each year as part of International Thank-You Day.
The Origin of ‘Thank You’
Now, let’s delve deeper into the origins of the word thank you.
The word “thank” originates from the Latin word tongēre– where the root word tong means “think”. Loosely translated, the expression means “I will remember what you have done for me.” However, English is not the only language with Latin roots.
In Spanish and Italian, gracias and grazie both originated from gratias which means to express thanks. Whereas, merci in French originated from mercēs, which actually means “wages, fee, or price.” However, the modern use of the word comes from mercit an old french word which means, “reward, gift, kindness, grace, and pity.” Fun fact, this word is also where the word mercy originated from!
Moving past Europe and into Asia, in Japanese we can see that “ありがとう (Arigatou)”, is derived from the word, arigatashi. We can break the word down into Aru, meaning “to exist,” and katai, meaning “difficult.” In olden times, Japanese-speakers would use this phrase to mean “extremely uncommon” and “rare and precious.”
Hence, through language we learn that thank you is a powerfully soulful culmination of deep meaning and human sentiment of gratitude, recognition and contentment.
Embracing Gratitude Through the Vision and Mission: ReWind with UNESCO BMW
At UNESCO BMW, we believe that together we should focus on thanking others, promoting peace and awareness of cultures, and expressing our appreciation for our ancestors. The Rewind Program allows us to create a visual history that reflects the values of gratitude, kindness and social awareness through honouring the acts of kindness from our past, highlighting those who are making an impact in their community, and motivating individuals to continue to promote assistance to others.
Furthermore, we also believe in the opportunity to create a better future through nurturing leaders who embrace empathy and cultural respect, and dedicate themselves through the tools of education and advocacy.
Our vision of embedding gratitude into the conversations of our world will create stronger bonds between individuals, greater displays of kindness, and create a social change that lasts through the support of our children. So, on this International Thank You Day, reflect and take the time to thank someone who has positively influenced your life; reach out and help someone who could use your help; and pass your kindness to someone else. With continuous effort, we all can establish gratitude as a daily practice.
Written By,
Ruheena Roushanara Choudhury