Hey folks, you’ve probably heard the two special words in life often: ‘thank you’ and ‘sorry’. Psychologist Dr. Brittany McGeehan, Ph.D., says these words signal respect and convey goodwill in social interactions.
But Dr. McGeehan points out that when these words come out automatically without genuine intent, we should take a moment to reconsider. She notes that women, who are often taught to be polite, tend to say ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ reflexively, and this can sometimes get in the way of both personal and professional development.
“If you pause for a moment, you can ask whether the gratitude you show is real, or whether you’re using ‘politeness’ just to ease discomfort, whether it comes from inside you or from the people around you,” she told Parade.
Still, we don’t have to quit being polite, Thecuy. The aim is to blend courtesy with authenticity, making sure thanks are heartfelt and we aren’t uttering words we don’t really mean.
To give some direction, Dr. McGeehan says those who habitually say ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ automatically often show the following personality traits.
Strong Personal Accountability
Certain individuals have a high level of internal responsibility. They are very aware of and driven to keep relationships smooth with others. Dr. McGeehan notes this tendency is frequently seen in firstborn girls.
“Some people feel they must keep interactions comfortable and smooth,” Dr. McGeehan explains. “When thanks come out automatically, they may point to a deeper habit of trying to manage how others feel, even though it isn’t your job to fix other folks’ emotions.”
<section id="section-detail-2" class="multi-card " data-page="2" data-page-title="Punya Kesadaran Sosial yang Tinggi" dtr-evt="halaman selanjutnya" dtr-sec="halaman selanjutnya" dtr-act="tombol halaman selanjutnya" dtr-id="325805" dtr-ttl="Punya Kesadaran Sosial yang Tinggi" onclick="_pt(this)" readability="28.5">
<h2 class="fw-bold fs-5">Acute Social Awareness</h2>
<div readability="8">
<img src="https://akcdn.detik.net.id/visual/2026/10/19/7-ciri-kepribadian-orang-yang-selalu-mengucapkan-terima-kasih-dan-maaf-menurut-psikolog-1792381463270.jpeg?w=700&q=90" alt="Psikolog menjelaskan bahwa orang yang terbiasa mengucapkan " title="Psikolog menjelaskan bahwa orang yang terbiasa mengucapkan "/>
<p>Seven Personality Traits of People Who Constantly Say 'Thank You' and 'I'm Sorry' According to a Psychologist / Photo: Pexels.com</p>
</div>
<p>Dr. McGeehan notes that people who automatically utter 'please' and 'thank you' tend to be extremely attentive to how others act. They notice everything from gestures to how people interact, and they can become quite perceptive.</p>
“They are often mindful of how their actions influence those around them,” Dr. McGeehan observes. “In general, overly automatic politeness usually shows a keen eye for social rules and how we affect one another.”
Nurtured for Kindness
Those who act politely without thinking often receive encouragement to be courteous from a young age. Most likely, they grew up in a setting that places a high value on good manners.
“They learn that the impression they give to others matters more than their inner feelings,” Dr. McGeehan points out.
“The habits formed in childhood often become automatic responses later on, because those years are crucial for brain development,” she adds.
Likely to Dodge Confrontation
Seven Personality Traits of People Who Constantly Say ‘Thank You’ and ‘I’m Sorry’ According to a Psychologist / Photo: Pexels.com
Occasionally, a person’s courteous behavior actually serves as a way to sidestep disagreements with others. Dr. McGeehan explains that saying ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ can act like a safety net, smoothing over tension in situations that might feel awkward.
“Usually, when someone relies only on automatic social habits, they struggle with controlling themselves and dealing with disagreements,” she notes.
Strong Empathetic Capacity
Dr. McGeehan points out that individuals who readily say the key phrases may possess vivid, goal‑oriented imaginations. At the same time, they tend to be deeply empathetic toward people nearby.
“They can often picture themselves in the shoes of someone making a request or receiving a service, which pushes them to constantly express gratitude,” Dr. McGeehan notes. “This acute awareness is a defining trait for them.”
Prefers Casual Chat
Seven Personality Traits of People Who Constantly Say ‘Thank You’ and ‘I’m Sorry’ According to a Psychologist / Photo: Magnific.com
Those who reflexively utter ‘thank you’ and ‘please’ usually favor surface‑level talk over deep conversation. They use this habit as a shield to keep from getting too emotionally comfortable. Focusing on trivial subjects helps them steer clear of emotionally intense topics.
“They might feel too uneasy to have a genuine, heart‑to‑heart chat, since it could turn confrontational or emotionally charged,” she clarifies.
“Typically, when someone gets stuck in shallow social exchanges, they feel uncomfortable with strong feelings; thus, they opt for talk about trivial matters or the weather to sidestep emotional depth,” she adds.
Tends to Follow the Crowd
Dr. McGeehan says that individuals who are very aware of how others see them often just go along with whatever is happening. Still, this habit can stop them from voicing their real hopes and dreams, Thecuy. Sometimes they aren’t even clear about what they truly want out of life.
“They usually gravitate toward settings that keep things smooth and harmonious, rather than boldly showing their authentic selves and asserting their presence,” she notes.
***
Interested in joining the Buzznesia Community where you can take part in a variety of exciting online and offline events hosted by Buzznesia/Beautynesia? The community welcomes everyone, both women and men, and we also have a special group for current students. So, become a member of the Buzznesia Community now. Just sign up here!
(naq/naq)
Terima kasih telah mengunjungi thecuy. 🙂
Saya adalah penulis di thecuy.com, sebuah website yang berfokus membagikan tips keuangan, investasi, dan cara mengelola uang dengan bijak, khususnya untuk pemula yang ingin belajar dari nol.
Melalui thecuy.com, saya ingin membantu pembaca memahami dunia finansial tanpa ribet, dengan bahasa yang sederhana.