...I do it because it's my job, not because I am trying to make you happy. Don't get me wrong, it is good to be appreciated but thanking me in this way puts you in a position of authority that you may not actually have.<p>Conversely, I won't thank you for simply doing your job, unless it was part of some truly kind action for which I am likely to be genuinely grateful. I might compliment you on doing a good job, sure. But I won't thank you for it.
I had a team lead who was sending me emails with the star, as a token of appreciation for a good work.<p>And I was like: "WTF? Last time I've got a star like this was in the kindergarten ..."
Or maybe I am thanking someone as a peer, acknowledging their quality of work. What has rank or social status or authority got to do with basic manners and courtesy?