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 .

ugh

I am stumped.

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.

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

I do this. I'm from Liverpool.

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

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

I'm from Manchester and always say cheers. YABVU

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

i dont see the problem

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

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

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.

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...

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

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.

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

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

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

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.

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

I like it. I think it's friendly.

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

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

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.