Thanking and complimenting seem easy, but small habits travel from your first language. Some learners always say "Thank you very much" in a stiff voice, even for a pen. Others hear "No problem" after they say thanks and feel it is rude. In this episode: • Saying thanks, from small to big • Replying to thanks • Giving compliments • Receiving compliments • Scenes: dinner and the neighbor's yard • Practice • Self-check questions with answers Key phrases from this episode: Thanks! — small things: a pen, the salt (casual) Thanks a lot. — a bit warmer (casual or neutral) Thanks so much. — warm and friendly (neutral) Thank you so much. — warm and a little more careful (polite) I really appreciate it. — sincere, for real help (polite) You're a lifesaver. — you helped me a lot, just in time (casual) I owe you one. — I will help you back sometime (casual) Thanks for having us. — said when leaving someone's home Thanks for the ride. — after someone drives you Thanks for watching the kids. — for taking care of them Thanks for letting me know. — for telling me You're welcome. — the classic (neutral) No problem. — friendly and relaxed (casual) Sure. / Sure thing. — easy, it was nothing (casual) Of course. — of course I would help (warm) Anytime. — I'm happy to do it again (warm) Happy to help. — friendly (neutral) Don't mention it. — it was a small thing (casual) Mm-hmm. — a quick reply for a tiny favor (very casual) I love your jacket! — I like the jacket you chose (casual) That's a great idea. — your idea is good (neutral) This is really good! — about food (casual) Season 2 · Real American English: the complete spoken course for learners worldwide — accent, everyday grammar, prepositions, articles, phrasal verbs, idioms, slang and real conversations at home. Listen, repeat out loud, then take the 52-question quiz. Audio voiced with AI from an original script by Dr. Rashmi R Nair.