DEAR MISS MANNERS: My career has taken me to a point that I am occasionally interviewed on local radio and television.
As a child, I was taught that when someone says “Thank you,” I should respond with “You’re welcome.” However, in interviews I hear, the interviewer always ends with “Thank you,” and the interviewee always responds with “Thank you.”
I would like to be myself and say “You’re welcome,” unless you can offer a compelling insight into why “Thank you” is the proper response.
GENTLE READER: “You are welcome” is generally the proper response. “Thank you” back is not impolite, but also not necessary.
In this case, it stems, Miss Manners surmises, from a modest need to deflect attention from being appreciated. A compromise response in such circumstances is “Thank you for having me here.”