2007-05-17 Thank You

Due to Ascension Day, which is a public holiday in Germany, I could take my third free water dive today. The sight was excellent and I haven't been to the lake before. It was not too cold, I had less trouble with my ears, I started the bronze training (CMAS *) and we saw a dancing craw fish. It was a good day.

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Here's another question for you: why do we say "thank you"? It's just a phrase, isn't it? But then again, imagine doing someone a favour and they don't say thank you. Would you do them another favour? It's considered rude not to say it, although it doesn't change things the slightest bit. Not giving the default response is a violation of cultural tradition. Saying "bless you!" after someone sneezed is yet another example of the same sort of useless talk that can influence your social life.
I wonder how that habit developed. Back in the days when men-like apes evolved to ape-like men (I love that alliteration) and they just developed a speech of sorts, did they say thank you? If they did: why? If they didn't: when did it start?
I've heard the military salute (the gesture where you stand tight and raise the fingertips of your right hand to your eyebrows) is the atrophied remainder of the movement a knight performed to open his helmet. It is a sign of trust and respect when you open your helmet for somebody, so that might be an explanation. But how can you explain a completely useless phrase?

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My new favourite animal is the albatross, by the way. It has the largest wingspan of all birds that are alive nowadays. Albatrosses incubate and live longer than any other bird. They are just beautiful and best of all, they can make you laugh. Just remember Orville and Wilbur from The Rescuers and The Rescuers Down Under, respectively.