You give your loved one rent money again or listen to a friend vent about their problems for hours, only for them to not show gratitude. You might think it’s best to bite your tongue and walk away, but sometimes a well-timed comeback can serve as a gentle reminder to those who forget the importance of gratitude. Here are 15 to consider that will hopefully encourage the person to change their rude ways.
1. “Um, I think you forgot something?”
If you’re feeling angry or frustrated when someone has accepted your good deed without being grateful, you might want to use this comeback. “Um, I think you forgot something?” is a gentle way to make the person aware that they didn’t thank you, and they’re being impolite. Look, maybe they were so consumed with other thoughts that they forgot. Give them the benefit of the doubt while prompting them for a kind word.
2. “You’re so welcome!”
If someone keeps making you feel taken for granted because they never say “thank you,” you might want to use this comeback. Saying, “You’re welcome!” when they’ve given you zero gratitude will make them aware of their silence. If they’re a good person, they’ll probably realize their rudeness and apologize immediately. If, on the other hand, they seem confused about what you’ve said, it might take a little longer to sink in. Either way, you’ve given them a bit of a wake-up call.
3. “Thank you?”
While it might feel weird to thank the person when they’re the one who should be saying those words to you, this comeback should be phrased like a question. It’s a nicer way of saying, “Aren’t you going to thank me?” and it works well to get your point across without ending up in a fight.
4. “It doesn’t cost a thing to say thank you.”
Some people walk around acting as though saying “thank you” is as painful as having their teeth pulled. While you don’t want to lecture anyone, sometimes rude people need to be nudged to become more aware of their impolite actions. This comeback will hopefully make them more mindful in the future. It reminds them that it doesn’t cost any money to show gratitude and be kind to others.
5. “I can see you appreciate it.”
If someone doesn’t give you the thanks you deserve after doing something nice for them, a sarcastic comment can be a good way to put them in their place. Saying something like, “I can see you appreciate it” will point out to them that they’re not showing appreciation and are behaving in an entitled way. They’re expecting you to be kind to them without offering anything in return, even a “thank you,” which doesn’t cost a cent. That’s so selfish!
6. “Did you get my gift?”
If you send someone a present but never hear from them, it leaves you with a bad feeling. You might wonder if they received or liked the gift, or if they’re just being ungrateful by not reaching out to thank you for it. To help you navigate the situation, a comeback like, “Did you get my gift?” can help you find out what’s going on. It’s a sneaky yet gentle way to remind the person that they haven’t shown any gratitude for it, without being confrontational. It can make them realize they didn’t express gratitude appropriately and should be more considerate in the future.
7. “No thanks necessary.”
If someone’s selfish and taking your kindness for granted, you can put them in their place by sarcastically saying, “No thanks necessary.” What you’re actually saying is that they should be thanking you, but it’s a subtle way to express that you’re angry or upset by their lack of a response. It’s also a bit humorous to keep things light and prevent an argument while getting your message across.
8. “Oh, don’t mention it.”
This comeback is great because it’s like you’re having a conversation with yourself, which is what it feels like if the person isn’t saying thanks. They might reply with a, “Huh?” or “What do you mean?” to which you could then explain that a “thank you” would’ve been nice. In this way, this comeback can gently open a conversation about their lack of gratitude.
9. “Feel free to say thanks whenever you like.”
Instead of shouting angrily, a sarcastic comment like this can get through to the ungrateful person better. You’re not directly confronting them for their rudeness, which can make you and them feel awkward or uncomfortable. Instead, you’re highlighting their failure to show gratitude in the present moment.
10. “Ah, the sound of silence!”
If you want to use humor in your comeback, a phrase like, “Ah, the sound of silence!” can work well. It effectively implies that the person’s silence speaks volumes, emphasizing the negative impact of their unspoken gratitude. It’s a bit of a nudge, telling them that they should be saying something to show their thanks instead of taking your kindness for granted. The person might not expect you to say this when they fail to say “thank you,” but it will hopefully make them aware of their selfishness. By including a bit of humor, this phrase can help the person correct their behavior without feeling attacked.
11. “I left you speechless, right?”
Imagine giving someone a bouquet of flowers or handing them a cup of coffee while they’re working and they don’t say anything before going back to whatever they were busy with. How rude! A good response to this lack of appreciation is to smile and say, “I left you speechless, right?” They’ll be put on the spot a bit and might feel embarrassed, which will hopefully make them act kinder in the future.
12. “Did you know ‘thank you’ is on the endangered species list?”
If the person is distracted or busy with something else, asking them a question like this can help you to get their attention. They’ll have to stop and think about what you’re saying. It’s a clever comeback because it likens saying “thank you” to an endangered species, highlighting how rare it is to receive thanks. Although it prompts self-reflection on the other person’s part, it keeps the situation humorous and light.
13. “You say it best when you say nothing at all…Or not.”
This comeback works well because it cleverly juxtaposes a well-known saying with a humorous twist. By referencing the phrase, “You say it best when you say nothing at all,” you’re acknowledging the absence of verbal gratitude. But, the sarcastic “Or not” helps to wittily point out that the person is failing to acknowledge your kindness.
14. “Don’t worry about thanking me, just pass on the good karma.”
Let’s focus on the bigger picture! This comeback works well because you’re not attacking the person for their rudeness but subtly reminding them that expressing gratitude isn’t about the immediate act of kindness. Instead, it’s about contributing to a cycle of positivity and goodwill. It encourages them to consider the broader impact of their actions.
15. “Wow, rude!”
Sometimes the best way to deal with someone who never shows you gratitude is to shut them down, especially if they’re behaving in a selfish or arrogant way (we all know trying to get them to change hasn’t worked). A comment such as, “Wow, rude!” points out that they’re being nasty to you and you’re not afraid to speak up. By labeling the behavior, you’re setting a standard that it’s unacceptable.
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