The way that people respond to being thanked is generally determined by habit rather than by conscious decision. In a commercial transaction, as opposed to a favor, the customer feels that the benefits are mutual. Salespeople are often instructed by their employers to thank customers, whereas customers are free to say what they want. Salespeople do not regard customers who buy from them as doing them a favor.
Jeneta: Increasingly, I' ve noticed that when a salesperson thanks a customer for making a purchase, the customer also says "Thank you" instead of saying "You' re welcome. " I' ve even started doing that myself. But when a friend thanks a friend for a favor, the response is always "You' re welcome. "
Which one of the following, if true, most helps to explain the discrepancy that Jeneta observes in people's responses?