to wish that people wouldn't say "cheers" when they mean "thankyou" ?

[vienna1981]

This usage aspect has always got up my nose. I just think it's lazy and vaguely disrespectful when "thankyou" is just as easy to say and has a more polite ring to it.

Sorry if this is a massive irrelevance folks. It's been one of those weeks at work. I'm tired and struggling for a subject .

[cleanmyhouse]

ugh

[Hullygully]

I am stumped.

[EponasWildDaughter]

I'm guilty of this.

In my defense i think it might be a bit of a London thing. I haven't lived in London for 15 years. Old habits die hard.

[iLoveFlop]

If you are struggling for a subject, why post at all?

[hedgehogsdontbite]

I do this. I'm from Liverpool.

[GraysAnalogy]

It's a less formal way of thank you. I don't see a problem with it.

[GraysAnalogy]

And if thank you is just as easy to say (which it is) how is it lazy?

[ambientolf]

I'm from Manchester and always say cheers. YABVU

[WhataMistakeaToMakea]

Goodness don't go the west country then...

[Nolim]

i dont see the problem

[molyholy]

I am a 'cheers'er too. I just think it is on par with 'thanks'.

[Trills]

DO you also wish that people wouldn't say "hi" when they mean "hello"?

[Cornettoninja]

As long as someone is imparting gratitude I have no issue with how they choose to convey it.
It's a nice thing, don't analyse it to deeply and ruin the sentiment behind it.

[PtraciDjelibeybi]

I say this as a form of farewell. I shop mostly in charity shops where there is a different feel to regular shops. I will say thank you at the appropriate times in the transaction, but then often spend time arranging my bags and putting card or change in my purse - I then say "Cheers" as I walk away - a combi way of saying thank you and goodbye, when in fact neither is entirely necessary...

I would be very sorry to think that I was upsetting or offending anyone, but that is not the impression I have had...

[ClaudiaNaughton]

My pet hate is being told "I'm good" when you ask someone how they are.

[tabulahrasa]

I say cheers too, I'm Scottish.

It's instead of thanks, so if someone passes me something, or serves me in a shop, I say cheers, I'd only say thank you if someone has actually done something worth thanking properly for.

[LadyFairfaxSake]

In parts of Cornwall, "goodbye" is pronounced "cheers & gone".

[roundtable]

Sweet Jesus, is there anything according to MN that you can say?

[SenecaFalls]

How refreshing. A linguistic irritation that can't be blamed on Americans.

[museumum]

I say it for small things like my change in a shop. I wouldn't say it for a birthday present or if somebody had taken my child out for the day.
So it is a bit less deeply felt yes. But change in a shop is not something I say "oh thank you so much you shouldn't have" - the "thank you" is just a light hearted social norm.

[RatOnnaStick]

Everyone I know uses cheers, its in common usage in a range of forms. I don't see a problem.

[BertieBotts]

I like it. I think it's friendly.

[vienna1981]

Must be just me then. I shall say no more.

[OhMyActualDays]

I say cheers for thank you, hi and bye... I had no idea this could be irritating!

[Runningupthathill82]

Definitely not just a London thing - I work in a very large organisation in Yorkshire and "cheers" is the accepted way to end informal work emails.
I like it, it's less stilted and formal than "thank you", gets across a friendlier tone.
YABU.