Coffee & Writing

Some people are able to volunteer in many capacities–nursing homes, camps, homeless shelters, religious organzations, hospitals, classrooms, community gardens, and the list goes on.

The person who volunteered because they were required to do so or volunteered to do so because they wanted to both chose to put themselves in that position, yet why do we say thank you? They’re just doing a job.

Do we say, “Oh, thank you for being a banker?” Probably not.

We also say thank you to those who were and are in the military. We say thank you to fire fighters, EMTs, nurses, teachers generally all people who work in the civil service sector or public servants, who constantly have to fight for their rights.

Does someone who puts their lives and mental health on the line for a career they chose deserve to be thanked? There is the obvious answer–YES.

What about nurses who have to maintain a 12-hour shift and keep a smile on their face for each patient they see? That alone is an amazing feat that alone deserves a thank you.

In 2025, teachers are at a serious risk of getting killed with all the school shootings happening, but, in general, they run up against being bitten, hit, insulted, students who don’t do homework that they spent time planning out. Should we say thank you to them–you betcha!

What about the people who are overlooked, like janitors, employees in restaurants, sewer workers, the people who clean up roadkill, all the jobs you never think of or probably don’t want? Of course they deserve a thank you.

However, why are we thanking people and giving them praise for jobs they either chose or had to choose?

How about instead of saying thank you, we shake their hands, even the sewage workers and roadkill cleanup crew, and offer to buy them lunch? Become friends with them. Tip properly, Study hard, since your teacher worked hard for you. Be a compliant patient, tell the complete truth to medical professionals when they ask you questions you don’t want to admit the answers to.

Oh, and while you’re at it, remember to be grateful if they say, “Yes, thank you.” Don’t let yourself off the hook so easily if they say no. If the person says no, offer to bring lunch to them so you can enjoy a meal with a hard worker and a new friend.

Don’t forget to say thank you to the person who flipped the burgers too.

Miriam Kavanagh