Philsophy 101: An Inherently Good Job?

I know with the world on the brink of all out revolution, you are probably thinking: What is this fool doing talking about "philosophy."  I'll first make several points: 1. I've always wanted to talk about this 2. I'd love to get some feedback on it because even i get confused 3. I've dedicated plenty and will put up more about everything going on in the world. 

My philosophical question today stems from something we do all the time: Thank people. If a waitress gets you your food, you say (or should say) "Thank you." If someone opens the door for you, you show them the same kind of thankfulness. when a teacher gives a student a test, many say "Thank you." But why? That's what I'm looking to discover today. 

What is the purpose of a "Thank you?" Is it to show thanks someone who has gone out of their way to do good? Or is it to thank someone for doing the expected of them, rather than not doing their job at all? Depending on what purpose you find for the phrase you will come to different conclusions. If you think it is only for people who go out of their way, then a "thank you" to someone who keeps the door open for you is warranted, however, giving one to a waitress who gives you your food on time isn't; she is just doing her job.  If you have concluded that you should thank someone simply for doing their expected job, then you would thank the waitress. The question lies, would you apply the same thanks to the waitress who did her job to the man who went out of his way to help you with the door? Is there a better way to thank someone so the two aren't equal?

This leads to an important question: Are there inherently good jobs? Jobs, where simply by completing them, you are doing a good thing. Some could argue that a firefighter deserves a thank you even though he is doing his job as well as a policeman. Are their jobs "inherently" good? What about a lawyer or engineer? They defend our constitutional rights and build our countries, don't they deserve a "thank you?" Are their jobs inherently "good" or not? How do we define these jobs? The contribution to society by a waitress is far less than that of an engineer (to be blunt), does one deserve more thanks than another? 

 

Also, is there an benchmark that must be met in order for it to deserve a thank you? If someone keeps a door open for you using their pinky, does that warrant a thanks? If someone helps pick up your fallen scarf with their foot, should you thank them for their act? What if they intended to help you but made things worse?

While trying to lift up your scarf, the man splashes mud on it (idk how it happened it just did). His intention was to help, but he made things worse. This asks, is a thank you, a reaction to someone's intent to help, or only after the act is helpfulness is complete?  What if their intent was bad but the result turned out great for you? Do you thank them then? 

Maybe I'm overthinking it, but I'd rather over think things than not stimulate my brain by smokin' reefer!

Think about that the next time you thank someone for doing their job, or thank someone for actively helping you by going out of their way. Food for thought.

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