So let’s just say I’m more of a “maker of interesting sojourns.”

And from Seoul, South Korea, to Baghdad – and just about every place in between – no matter what language I’ve had to cram prior to arrival, among the first words I always learn are “please” and “thank you.”

If you’ve ever taken a language course of any kind, you’ll agree. In addition to basic greetings, the niceties of being polite and expressing gratitude are almost always emphasized by at least Chapter Two.

I’d like to think there is a reason for that beyond the convenient execution of a standard lesson plan.

Call me silly, but I keep telling myself the reason “please” and “thank you” appear at the beginning of any language study – including our own – is the fact that they’re an important part of daily life; and because gratitude is a darn-right necessity, to acknowledge those who take pity on you and save you – oftentimes from yourself.

“Well, it doesn’t really matter,” advised one of my well-meaning friends, who considers adding an o to every noun while staying at the “resort-o” in Acapulco, Mexico, while drinking a “margarita-o” meaningful cultural awareness.

“If you just try to speak their language, they’ll be so much nicer to you, I swear,” she insists.

Well, actually not so much in Germany.

Even the French in Germany speak better German than most folks – well, except the Germans of course.

It’s pretty embarrassing to have a German dude place his hand softly on your shoulder, smile and say, “Sprechen Sie Englisch bitte.”

Yup, it means exactly what you think it does.

But you know, no matter how severely I butcher, “Combien pour le taxi au Champs-Elysées,” the hair on the back of the driver’s neck almost always relaxes when I look him square in the eye, smile and offer a genuine, heartfelt “Merci.”

Merci.

Merci, for letting me ride in your nasty, smoke-filled taxi.

Merci, for letting me even think I can get a break on a 32-block fare at rush hour inside Paris.

Merci for not laughing at me as I try to understand this wonderful world in which we live – country by country, taxi by taxi, kind soul by kind soul.

So now, with more than 3,562 genuine, heartfelt komapsumnidas, chukrans, mercis, and hvalas under my belt, I finally get it. I totally get the amazing global power of “thank you.”

Expressing gratitude is something I make a point to incorporate into my everyday life – even for the silliest of things. And it’s not that I feel an overwhelming need to exceed the limits of proper social protocol. It’s far less materialistic than that. It’s simply about making sure I acknowledge the efforts of those around me who offer a friendly hand in a not-so-friendly world.

Is it magic?

Perhaps. But scientific studies are starting to point to some interesting benefits associated with gratitude.

For example, in a 2002 article in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, experts note that “grateful people are happier, less depressed, less stressed, and more satisfied with their lives and social relationships.” A similar study published in 2007 in the Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology also suggests people who express gratitude have less negative coping strategies, are less likely to try to avoid problems, deny there is a problem, blame themselves, or cope with problems through substance use.

Oddly enough, I find those to whom I express my gratitude often seem to not know how to react. While “You’re welcome,” comes to mind, it’s like a lot of us simply gloss over a heartfelt “Thank you” as if to rush through an uncomfortable social situation.

Expressing gratitude, as well as receiving it, should never be uncomfortable in any language – particularly our own. If anything, it should be a warm, sunny spot in which to bask, even if only for a few moments.

In a world where there’s no real obligation to help anyone with anything, I see gratitude as a global – and local – opportunity to slow the daily course of events, verbally grab some kind souls by their shoulders and celebrate their selfless decision to think beyond themselves.

So as 2010 comes to an end and a new year begins, I encourage you, no matter where you are in the world, no matter what language you speak, to give gratitude a try.

You’ll thank yourself for it.