There are plenty of things that we Ethiopians have that are indigenous to our country. People and families stroke that very big ego that can only be found in being Abesha. We are able to rave about rock hewn churches that hold mysterious secrets, glorious battles, kingdoms far and wide and even humorously enough learning beyond measure.

But going through all the virtues and vices that can be listed about Ethiopia and its citizens, one that perhaps forgets to make it on the list is that of giving thanks. Ethiopians, being the religiously devout nation that we are, give many thanks and praises, continually and without fail, to whatever powers that we worship. Every good thing that happens is attributed to them and every not so good thing as part of their will or whatever other vague language faith schools wish to use.

Nevertheless, I am not speaking here of this form of thanks, which would be good if only it were applied to the kind that is sorely lacking in our society; it is thanking you fellow human beings. The simple word of Amesegenalehu is not one that you hear as often as you would like despite the fact that we are seeped in an unflinching tradition of thanks and graciousness.

For instance, take your average working environment in this country, be it the private or the public sector, it is not often that you hear the boss saying "thank you" to the cleaning lady for having his office shiny when he comes in the morning. I have yet to come across a general manager that says thank you to the coffee lady because she fixes his macchiato the way he likes it, everyday without fail since she has been working for him.
 

But my favourite is the type of boss that is fully aware that someone is capable of doing a good job and yet refuses to admit that that person is vital to their company, simply ignores all the good things that they do and bites their head off for the few bad.
 

Has a simple thank you ever hurt anybody?

Think about it from your own perspective, whether it was required of you or not, if you accomplish a certain task and the person that it was completed for comes and says, "thanks a lot for taking the time to do this, I do not know about you, but it certainly makes my day".

But then this reality is not only relegated to the workplace.
 

The same applies to the family circle as well. Parents would ask you to do something: it could be to have a leave of absence from work for a while to run an errand, or call you when something unexpected comes up and expect you to drop everything and run to their rescue. And the same is applied vice versa with the expectation being set on parents, but when you do go out of your way to stop what you were doing and focus on what the problem is with them, most never take the time to say "thank you".
 

This also works in the managerial aspect of the family structure between husbands and wives or a couple simply living together. There are certain tasks that each gender takes upon themselves at one point or another and the other completely forgets to appreciate the simple gestures that come along with them. I have never once heard any of my friends say "thank you" to their husbands or partners for carrying their purse or bringing in something from their car or whatever other little chore has been assigned to the male. And the same goes the other way around as well.
 

I know that living in the society that we do, this may not be the norm, but I am sure that any parent, child or spouse would love to hear those simple words of appreciation that would simply make one's day.
 

Sadly enough, this is not a culture that is relegated to this work aspect that considers the realm of friendship as it so oddly works in this nation. Friends eventually turn into children or parents that expect you to deliver daily kindness that you offer simply out of the willingness of your character. There are no thanks involved and it is not as though you would stop doing these things because they do not say thank you. It would be warming to hear that they appreciated your kindnesses.

I have found that a few kind words here and there can get you a long way. Most people, particularly here in Ethiopia, are not used to having this sort of gratitude thrown their way, double their efforts and give an extra something when it comes to doing something for you or being involved in something that you are a part of. It makes people feel like they are relevant, at least it does me.

Accordingly, and in the spirit of practicing what I preach, thank you for your time reading this column.