Exercise 3: Thanks

Comments for Ex. 3-1:

Becauseありがとう  arigatou, どうも  doumo, and サンキュー  sankyuu are short and informal versions of the most common thanking expression, they are normally used with someone close and/or of equal or lower status than you. 

Although the store clerk is younger than you and you are in a “higher” position, being a customer in this situation, it is all right to say ありがとうございます  arigatou gozaimasu (as well as more informal expressions like ありがとう  arigatou, どうも  doumo).  It is a nice gesture to be polite to a stranger whether s/he is younger or of lower status.  サンキュー  sankyuu would be too casual for a store clerk (a stranger), as it is normally used between close friends.  However, most Japanese people say nothing or give a light bow to a store clerk, unless they receive extensive help.

            Polite                                                                                                                                                  Casual                                                           

                                    ありがとうございます 　       ありがとう　　　どうも　        サンキュー               

                                    arigatou gozaimasu    　           arigatou                doumo             sankyuu