Can a smile replace thank you?

[OnASummersDay]

Sometimes when the door is held open for me, or someone moves to allow me to pass, I try to say thank you and no sound comes out! I don’t know if it’s a form of social anxiety as it only happens with people I don’t know.

I end up smiling like an idiot to make up for it!

Can a smile ever replace saying thank you or am I being really rude?!

You have acknowledged the action in a positive way so it wouldn’t bother me!

Of course it can. Sometimes its even more touching just to be smiled at.

A lot of people don't acknowledge the door being held open at all, so a smile is fine :)

Sounds fine to me!

I do the no noise thankyou too! Glad to know I'm not alone. I think its fine, but OH things it's rude. He is slightly passive aggressive about manners though

Glad to see most people don’t think it’s rude! It bothers me a lot as I get stressed that people behind me think I’m ignoring the gesture probably overthinking though!

If for some reason I'd struggle to say thank you when someone holds a door open for me (e.g. sore throat, bad cold), I usually smile and nod in acknowledgement.

A smile is fine, or a nod and a smile. You are acknowledging the door opener so I think it's ok.

I nod and smile. I'm socially inept And just can't talk to strangers

When random strangers smile at me, it always brightens my day for a wee while - keep smiling

I hate it when people are passive aggressive about manners. To me it's really rude! Manners are basically about making others feel comfortable so highlighting their bad manners highlights your own (hope that makes sense).

To answer the AIBU: as far as I'm concerned a thank you (or a please) can be, and often is, implied. And a smile is a good way to do that.