thank you

simple words, each one is only one syllable.  The phrase thank you is cognitive.  When learning a foreign language, it is taught right after the salutations (topic for another time…), yet I am often surprised at its absence in everyday exchanges. 
I am willing to allow for some leeway, when one is entrenched in thought, preoccupied with child or animal, macerating one’s food or even while talking on the phone, although mouthing the words of appreciation would be completely acceptable for this scenario.
However, what I cannot tolerate is when one repeatedly forgets to utter the ‘magic words’ as though excused from displaying manners.  I live in a modest highrise apartment building that employs a part time doorman.  There is one older female tenant in particular who seems to confuse me as the doorman’s proxy*.  I habitually will open and hold doors for all my neighbors, delivery personnel, dog walkers, service representatives and most of the building’s residents do the same. Even on the occasion when I have had to search for the front door security key while precariously balancing parcels and avoiding tripping over my bully of a dog, she still refuses to extend a hand to hold the door much less acknowledge my gesture in opening it for her.  This encounter happens on a weekly basis and I am continually gob smacked that she fails to say, ‘thank you’.  Once dizzy from the heat and perhaps suffering from the early signs of dehydration, I responded loudly ‘you’re welcome’ (always classy) after she failed to verbally recognize that I am not the automatic door opener. 
This lady of a certain age is not in failing health, visibly handicapped, nor is she mute or hard of hearing or physically incapable of opening a door as I have witnessed her do when no one else is near, she is just completely ignorant.  Sixteen years of this belligerent behavior has taken a toll on my graciousness. 
Of course, being a polite, well-mannered person, I will continue to hold the door open for her and most likely quietly smolder when she neglects to respond accordingly.
It is not my intention to monitor and correct others’ bad behavior, but sometimes I just cannot remain silent.
Thank you for the opportunity to vocalize my ire.

xxoo,
miss j.


* Failing to thank a person, whose core job responsibility is to open a door is classless.