when did it become hip to say "I appreciate you?"

[Enrique]

I remember about 10 years ago reading or hearing somewhere unhip like NPR or Ladies Home Journal (kidding) that we should all start saying "I appreciate you" to waiters and bartenders and the like, as like a more meaningful way of saying "thank you." I thought it was a cool idea, though I was always too self-conscious to say anything that unusual myself.

I also didn't hear anyone else saying it, until pretty recently, when it seems to have caught on among young people. It seems to be a cool thing to say.

Anyone know how this trend started? Google is not helping me. :-(

[ScreamingMeemie]

1. I never thought of it as a trend.

For 15 years, I ended every night with my family like that. :(

[Enrique]

3. that's sweet

so the frowny puzzles me.

[ScreamingMeemie]

4. Because 15 years of appreciating my husband and our children

ended with his death last August. I cannot appreciate rocking his sobbing little boy to bed. I cannot appreciate having lost my heart.

[Enrique]

5. I'm so sorry

I can see how hearing it could make you feel that way. :-(

[supernova]

2. It's popular here in the south

as far back as I can remember.

Though, it's more often couched as "Thanks, I appreciate it.". Alternatively you can say, "much obliged."

[Enrique]

6. aha!

I moved to Florida just a couple of years ago, maybe it's a regional thing. Another difference I noticed is being addressed once in a while as "Mr. Enrique" which just cracks me up but seems to be normal here.

[supernova]

7. Yes, even in Fl

you are expected to mind your manners. ;-)