dutythanking

Dutythanking is a sociocultural practice that centers explicit expressions of gratitude toward individuals or groups who perform necessary duties, particularly those that benefit others or the public. The term foregrounds the moral value of duty alongside appreciation, and it can refer to both the act of thanking and the social expectations surrounding it.

Origin and usage: The word is a neologism formed from duty and thanking. It has appeared in sociolinguistic and civic discourse discussions in the early 2020s to describe rituals, communications, and etiquette that acknowledge service roles. Typical contexts include formal recognitions of public servants, thank-you campaigns for frontline workers, corporate communications praising essential tasks, and community rituals that publicly praise chores or responsibilities.

Impact and criticism: Proponents argue that dutythanking reinforces civic virtue, encourages continued service, and signals social solidarity. Critics contend that it can become performative, masking inequities or neglecting underlying burdens, and may privilege certain duties while undervaluing others, such as unpaid or informal labor.

See also

- gratitude

- civic ceremony

- social ritual

- performative activism

- public acknowledgment