Millions of Brits have ditched the traditional 'thank you' and replaced it with the less formal 'cheers', it was revealed yesterday.
Although the average person will say 'thank you' nearly 5,000 times a year, one in three are more likely to throw in a 'cheers' or 'ta' where it's needed, rather than risk sounding old fashioned.
One in 20 now say 'nice one' instead, while younger generations are more likely to offer a 'cool' than a thank you.
'Merci', 'fab' and even 'gracias' were also listed as common phrases to use, as was 'much appreciated'.
One in twenty who took part in the poll of 2,000 people by the Food Network UK for Thank You Day (24th November) said a formal 'thank you' was now not often needed in everyday conversation.
Nick Thorogood, Managing Director of Food Network UK, said: ''When it comes to saying 'thank you', people will always find the way that works best for them and it's interesting to see what the act means to different people.
''The fact over a quarter of us choose to say thank you through food highlights that taking the time and effort to say 'thanks' is still very important to us.''
A massive 95 per cent of respondents claimed manners are important though, with eight in ten Brits believing their etiquette is spot on.
Having said that, more than one in ten adults said they regularly won't say thank you if they are in a bad mood.
But despite being quick to talk up their own politeness, it seems Brits aren't clear on the bigger picture - when asked if Britain was a polite country, opinion was split down the middle.
Most people said saying thank you was something drilled into them by their parents, but four in ten will utter a thank you purely out of habit
And while eight in ten Brits think they could show more appreciation, a third of respondents barely even acknowledge what they're doing when they say thank you.
A sneaky 70 per cent of those quizzed will say thank you to your face without even meaning it, while a fifth avoid saying it when they know they should - on at least two occasions each day.
It seems our friends and family get the brunt of our bad manners with half admitting they're rubbish at thanking those closest to them - many justifying the lack of thanks because their family 'already know I'm grateful.'
When spoken words won't do it falls to a nice text to do the job for most people. A thank you email is also popular while a quarter turn to social networks to express gratitude.
And while people seem happy to say thanks digitally, six out of ten are adamant it's no easier to thank someone by email than in person.
A quarter of Brits say thank you with food, with 23 per cent cooking a meal to show their appreciation to someone. Another 15 per cent bake a cake.
A third will still send a handwritten thank you note - but 45 per cent confess it's been more than six months since they bothered to send one.
But should that thank you never come a huge 85 per cent of people will be annoyed at not getting the gratitude they feel they deserve.
To avoid the wrath of the average Brit, it's best to show appreciation when someone holds a door open for you.
It emerged that one in three believe people say thanks a lot less now than in previous generations, while most thought the world could do with showing more gratitude.
Anger is the biggest reason for not saying thank you while poor service is seen as a good reason to remain tight lipped.
