can anyone with knowledge of SPANISH culture, help me understand why...

[noonar]

... my spanish 'student' (who is actually a highly educated middle aged woman) never, ever, ever says thank you?

i've been cooking for her for 2 weeks, i've done her laundry- which i dont have to do. i gave her a lift in to town today, but not one word of thanks.

now, i accept that the british over use 'tahank you', but surely some type of acknowledegment of the meal placed in front of you is universally good manners, no matter where you are from?

it's starting to really annoy me.

does she think that she doesnt ave to saying thankyou, because she's a paying guest??

[noonar]

anyone?

[moniquita]

haha, this is very old but I will answer you anyway...

I am Spanish, also highly educated, and despite have been living in Uk for the last 4 years, never say thank you unless I consider it is a favour you are doing for me (normally because I have previoulsy asked for it). So, if cooking, laundry, lift, are done by you just because you are willing or is part of the agreement on which her accomodation is based on, she probably does not see remotely the need of saying thank you or any acknowledgment whatsoever.

Just guessing.

[IloveJudgeJudy]

It's not just Spanish. It's also French and German. We massively oversay "thank you", but seeing as your student is here to learn English and part of it is to learn customs, too, not just the language, you should point out to her (in a joky way) that she needs to say it.

I have experience of this myself and you just have to steel yourself (in a very non-British way) to say something. It's for her good, too, because if she is in a more formal situation and doesn't say "thank you", it could be detrimental for her.