They appear to be simple words to pronounce, but they’re not. Why are we sometimes unable to say “thank you” and be grateful towards someone who has done something for us? Gratitude is not a mere expression of a personal feeling, but also something deeper. It’s a positive experience that can make our lives more complete and be a source of satisfaction for those who experience and receive it. Thankfulness is an engine that facilitates the acknowledgement of an achieved benefit and also obliges one to return the favour, thus consolidating social bonds and relationships. One could go so far as to say that being grateful is worthwhile. Is that so hard to learn?

Camillo Regalia teaches Social Psychology of the Family at the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart in Milan.

Giorgia Paleari teaches Social Psychology, Group Psychology and Psychology of Communication at the University of Bergamo.