I think it's good when people are polite. If somebody offers an answer they deserve to be thanked.

I believe it is simple good manners.

I always try and thank people that answer my questions i think its only polite.

I reply to everyone who answers my questions, at least i try to... its polite :)

Why wouldn't you want to take the time to thank a person who took the time to answer your question? It is only being polite, whether or not you agree with the answer. If it is a trend, then I think it is a good trend and has value in our AB society. Those people who are so desirous of gaining points that they don't want to waste time thanking people (for which they get no additional points) I think are being short-sighted and focusing on the wrong thing..gaining points should not be the point. Communicating with one another and exchanging ideas in a civil, polite manner should be the goal..at least, that is my goal. My opinion only, of course..I understand one of our AB members was chastised/lectured for doing that very thing. I personally think it is a mannerly thing to do..the very least you owe someone who is kind enough to answer a question you pose. :)

If they were face to face with me I would nod or say something to acknowledge their opinion or thought. So why wouldn't I say thank you or make a comment to show that I did see their answer, I appreciate that they took the time to read the question, and responded. I can't see them. They don't know I cam by and read it. It just seems good manners to me. I wouldn't just ask a question of someone, a stranger perhaps in the street, hear them and then walk away without hearing the reply or just walk off rudely after they answer me.

I think at a minimum people should acknowledge the answers for most questions. But sometimes it's just too much -- I have a couple of questions where people just keep chiming in month after month with very predictable responses. Then there are some folks who just ask tons and tons of questions, and really aren't interested in the answers at all. If the questions are good, this is still a service because it stimulates the 'bag for conversation. I wouldn't do it, but I can understand why it would be an effort to muster a "Thanks" comment for every answer to 2000 questions! I don't ask a lot of questions. I used to wonder why, then one day I realized... I don't like dealing with a lot of the answers! So often people put little thought into them, it's just knee-jerk conditioned responses, like the old word-association game where you say "Harley", and the other person says "Davidson". I'm not that interested in people just spraying their conditioning on me, I want to hear some considering, thinking, digging down! But anyway, when I answer a question, I do think it's nice for someone to at least drop a "smiley" on it or a "thanks".

Very polite.

Hmm I am not sure but I know one person that does it everytime and it makes me smile. It's Jay. He always thanks you for answering.

I think we have taught the newbies how this all works. And that's a good thing.

well personally, i try to be as nice and as polite here as much as possible. because i think there's so much meanness in the real world already, why make cyberspace mean as well? cyberspace should be our haven, our sanctuary

I almost always say thanks.

I try to always comment and give Thanks to my fellow Answerbaggers + up

I almost always say a thank-you if someone answers my question. They took the time to respond to my question, I should ensure they know I appreciate it.

Thanks for asking such a wonderful question!

I always try to comment or say thanks!!!

I always try to acknowledge someone's questions because I think it rude to ask a question and not look at every answer that you can get around to. Since I can give at least six points to a question I give +2 points to lame answers, 3 or 4 to mediocre ones and 6 to good ones and the better they are, the more inclined I am to add a comment where thanks is the minimal acknowledgment of someone's contributions.

It's just the polite way to be. I've been doing it for months, so have others. Now maybe more are doing it. I consider it like giving someone a nod of the head when you are talking to them face to face but we can't see each other on here. So instead of seeing eyeball to eyeball that we heard each other, I give thanks so you know I saw what you wrote, I'm thankful if you gave me points. It's just like in person....only virtual:-)