Elaine Hsieh

A line of spectators spell out the words "Thank You", as a New York City police officer marches through the Financial District during a parade honoring essential workers for their efforts in getting New York City through the COVID-19 pandemic, July 7, 202

Different cultures understand ‘thank you’ in different ways, language professor says

Culture

“Thank you” can be perceived as an expression of gratitude, or as transactional or even as distancing, depending on where you are in the world. Elaine Hsieh — a professor at the University of Oklahoma, where she studies language and culture — explained the various nuances to The World’s host Marco Werman.