History Main / DoesNotKnowHowToSayThanks

* ''LightNovel/HaruhiSuzumiya'':

A character who doesn't know how to show their appreciation for something. Perhaps they have NoSocialSkills, or maybe their lives were [[BrokenBird so]] [[BreakTheCutie messed]] [[TheWoobie up]] that they simply don't know how thank someone because they never before experienced kindness or helpfulness from other people. Or the favor in question was so great that a mere "Thank you" doesn't seem sufficient. Characters like this may give {{Disproportionate Reward}}s of some sort. Alternatively, they may do something they think would be an appropriate way to show their gratitude, only to [[PoisonousFriend shock or anger]] the person they were trying to thank instead.

See also: PoisonousFriend and RhetoricalRequestBlunder for other failed attempts at pleasing someone. See also EntitledBastard for someone who rudely decides not to thank anyone. When it's a person suffering lack of gratitude, it's AllOfTheOtherReindeer.

* ''WesternAnimation/JusticeLeagueUnlimited'':

** There was a previous instance in ''WesternAnimation/JusticeLeague'' where Hawkgirl expected him to thank her after she rescued him, and he replied that it's a thing he's simply not used to doing.

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* King Farraday in Creator/TheDCU. When Franchise/{{Batman}} receives a telegram from Farraday thanking him for his assistance on the Two-Face case, Robin complains about his ingratitude, as Batman had done most of the work. Batman just remarks that a 'thank you' from Farraday is the equivalent of a massive compliment from anyone else.
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* From ''Film/TheKingsSpeech'': (paraphrased)
--> '''Bertie''': No matter how this goes - I want to say, thank you. I don't know how I could thank you enough.\\
'''Lionel''': (Half-seriously) A knighthood?

* ''Film/{{Watchmen}}'': Rorschach seems to have this trouble for the longest time.

* ''Literature/TheMillenniumTrilogy'': Lisbeth Salander has this problem. Understandable, as she has massive trust issues and [[WhatIsThisThingYouCallLove doesn't know how to be friends]].
* Dudley Dursley in ''Literature/HarryPotterAndTheDeathlyHallows.''

* ''Series/StarTrekTheOriginalSeries'': Mr. Spock.

* Asti from then hentai OVA ''F-Force'' "comforts" Ash shortly before they set off on their last battle.

* Princess Arika from ''Manga/MahouSenseiNegima'' is normally [[TheStoic calm and composed]], including at her [[spoiler:own execution]]. When [[IdiotHero Nagi]] saves her life and professes his love for her, her first response is, "I do not dislike you."

* King Farraday in TheDCU. When Franchise/{{Batman}} receives a telegram from Farraday thanking him for his assistance on the Two-Face case, Robin complains about his ingratitude, as Batman had done most of the work. Batman just remarks that a 'thank you' from Farraday is the equivalent of a massive compliment from anyone else.

* {{Series/Sherlock}} is so flustered when [[spoiler:[[BadassAdorable John,]] strapped to a bomb, grabs [[AxCrazy Moriarty]] and tells Sherlock to run, basically proving himself [[HoYay willing to die for Sherlock]]]] that he can only stammer, "That, uh, thing that you did -- that you were prepared to do -- that was... um... good." While carelessly waving a handgun around.

* ''Series/{{Supergirl 2015}}'': Snapper Carr, editor-in-chief of [=CatCo=] magazine, is too surly to thank Supergirl when she saves him from someone who was trying to kill a witness he wanted to interview. Supergirl then uses her civilian identity to needle him about it a little.

* Miles Edgeworth, from Franchise/AceAttorney has this problem, at least in the first game. By badgering the witness during the trial she earned herself a night in jail for contempt of court, Maya Fey keeps the trial going when otherwise Edgeworth would have been found guilty of a murder he didn't commit. During the recess, Edgeworth can't figure out how to express his gratitude, and he eventually asks Phoenix to relay a message to her: "Tell her something for me. Tell... Tell her to watch what she says in court." He also quietly pays her bail to get her released from lockup. At the end of that case, he stutters and becomes nervous about thanking Phoenix, before finally being able to give a clear "thank you" for defending him.

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** In the ''VideoGame/DragonAgeInquisition'' DLC ''The Descent'', Lieutenant Renn has an exchange with his close friend Valta which paints him in this (somewhat {{adorkable}}) light. He inquires as to whether she's heard anything regarding the food shortages in Orzammar, which have been known to result in riots, and she assures him:

* It seems like [[PsychoForHire Bando]] from ''Manga/ElfenLied'' can only show his gratitude by offering to kill a person of the recipient's choice, should they ever need it. As a matter of principle, he refuses to be indebted to anyone, but does not know how to handle such things because he a ProfessionalKiller to the bone.

** Haruhi doesn't know how to apologize or thank anyone. However, at one point, Kyon tells her that her the one time he saw her in a ponytail it was "so cute it was criminal," and from then on whenever she ''really'' screws up, she puts her hair in a ponytail in the next scene, since it's the only way she can apologize.

** He also gives Kirishima money to replace what he spent on night-vision goggles that he used to rescue Bakugo. Kirishima is one of the very few Bakugo acts less hostilely towards, namely because of his niceness and easy-going nature.

* {{Series/Sherlock}} is so flustered when [[spoiler:[[BadassAdorable John,]] strapped to a bomb, grabs [[AxCrazy Moriarty]] and tells Sherlock to run, basically proving himself [[HoYay willing to die for Sherlock]]]] that he can only stammer "That, uh, thing that you did -- that you were prepared to do -- that was... um... good." While carelessly waving a handgun around.
* In ''Series/TheBigBangTheory'', Sheldon, when he [[spoiler: receives Creator/LeonardNimoy's napkin from Penny as a Christmas present.]]

** The golem Shale from ''VideoGame/DragonAgeOrigins''. Shale has effectively been a slave for as long as memory serves (apart from those twenty years TakenForGranite). The warden can be the first person to selflessly help the golem with anything, which makes Shale attempt to say thanks in the late game (as well as attempting to address the warden with 'you').
** [[ProudWarriorRaceGuy Sten]]: after you return his sword to him he admits that he doesn't how how to thank you, then immediately says that he wants to stay with your group (this may just have had to do with the gravity of the favor you did for him, though.)
** In ''VideoGame/DragonAgeII'', Fenris often answers [[PlayerCharacter Hawke's]] help with complaining, brooding, or insults and accusations. He LampShades this after your first quest with him:
--> "I must seem ungrateful. I assure you that could not be further from the truth."

* Miles Edgeworth, from Franchise/AceAttorney has this problem, at least in the first game. By badgering the witness during the trial she earned herself a night in jail for contempt of court, Maya Fey keeps the trial going when otherwise Edgeworth would have been found guilty of a murder he didn't commit. During the recess, Edgeworth can't figure out how to express his gratitude, and he eventually asks Pheonix to relay a message to her: "Tell her something for me. Tell... Tell her to watch what she says in court." He also quietly pays her bail to get her released from lockup. Not to mention, at the end of that case, he stutters and becomes nervous about thanking Pheonix, before finally being able to give a clear "thank you" for defending him.

** There was a previous instance in ''WesternAnimation/JusticeLeague'' where Hawkgirl expected him to thank her after she rescued him and he replied that it's a thing he's simply not used to.

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** It appears that while Bakugo has trouble in general, it's implied it's even more so toward Izuku because he looks down on him. Though Uraraka points out he may actually fear Izuku or rather that he actually believes Izuku is more worthy of being a hero than him. This may explain why he has such a hard time with gratitude towar Izuku.

* ''Manga/MyHeroAcademia'': Bakugou has this problem in spades, namely because he's a very prideful individual who gets aggressive whenever he even ''thinks'' someone might be looking down on him. Most notably his former best friend and the protagonist, Izuku Midoriya. He pretty much starts screaming at him after Izuku leads some classmates to save his life; he is actually grateful, but too proud to admit it.
** He also gives Kirishima money to replace what he spent on night-vision goggles that he used to rescue Bakugo. Kirishima is one of the very few Bakugou acts less hostilely towards, namely because of his niceness and easy-going nature.
** It appears that while Bakugou has trouble in general, it's implied it's even more so toward Izuku because he looks down on him. Though Uraraka points out he may actually fear Izuku or rather that he actually believes Izuku is more worthy of being a hero than him. This may explain why he has such a hard time with gratitude towar Izuku.

* Miles Edgeworth, from Franchise/AceAttorney has this problem at least in the first game. By speaking out of turn and getting herself arrested for contempt of court, Maya Fey keeps the trial going when otherwise Edgeworth would have been found guilty of a murder he didn't commit. During the recess, Edgeworth can't figure out how to express his gratitude, and he eventually asks Pheonix to relay a message to her: "Tell her something for me. Tell... Tell her to watch what she says in court.) He also thanks her by paying her bail to get her released from lockup. Not to mention, at the end of that case, he stutters and becomes nervous about thanking Pheonix, before finally being able to give a clear "thank you" for defending him.

* Miles Edgeworth, from Franchise/AceAttorney has this problem at least in the first game. By speaking out of turn and getting herself arrested for contempt of court, Maya Fey keeps the trial going when otherwise Edgeworth would have been found guilty of a murder he didn't commit. During the recess, Edgeworth can't figure out how to express his gratitude, and he eventually asks Pheonix to relay a message to her: "Tell her... Tell her to watch what she says in court.) He also thanks her by paying her bail to get her released from lockup. Not to mention, at the end of that case, he stutters and becomes nervous about thanking Pheonix, before finally being able to give a clear "thank you" for defending him.

* [[Franchise/AceAttorney Miles Edgeworth]] has this problem, at least in the first game. By speaking out of turn and getting herself arrested for contempt of court, Maya Fey keeps the trial going when otherwise Miles would have been found guilty of murder. During the recess, Miles hems and haws on the subject before chickening out, telling Phoenix to remind Maya to mind her manners in the courtroom. (Of course, he also paid her bail himself, so he's not all bad...) Not to mention, at the end of that case, he hems and haws a little more before he finally thanks Phoenix for real.

* Bakugo from ''Manga/MyHeroAcademia'' has this problem. It's most notable when he approaches Midoriya (who just saved his life) and yells at him for it, even though it's obvious that he ''is'' grateful, it's just that he's too proud to show it. He also gives Kirishima money to replace what he spent on night-vision goggles that he used to rescue Bakugo.