Small つ

[KyleGoetz]

Originally Posted by princessmarisa

I am really confused why there is even a debate here, unless it is a British thing anyway....

Of course you only thank after someone has done something (like a service) and you say please before.

How can you thank someone before you know if they will even do it?

I can't recall if any of my British or Australian friends have done this, but in America, it is customary to say "thanks" or "thank you" after making the request.

For example:

Could you make seven copies of this? Thanks.

Also, in an email:

Dear Mr. T:

Johnson told me I should speak to you about a new position that has opened up at your company. Could I treat you to lunch and discuss the opening?

Thank you,
Mr. Deuteronomy

[Sashimister]

Originally Posted by student95

The way I'm interpreting this is that this: Since you're thanking someone for something they have done using past tense ました would be more appropriate.

Is that wrong?

No, it isn't wrong but it isn't that simple, ether.

Then since ありがとございます is in future tense - and it is unsuitable for use to thank people when they will deliver the service - what is the appropriate way of using it?

You use it when someone did something for you just now.
You dropped a pen and I picked it up.
You asked me where the post office was and I answered.
You asked for the salt and I tossed it to you.

Exceptions:
If a job that has taken me a more than a few minutes to perform has just finished now, you must say ありがとうございました. The 3 examples above were done in a matter of seconds, so it's different.

Finally, if someone offers to do something at a future time, you say ありがとうございます. Future times include "tonight", "this weekend", "when I have some time", etc.

[student95]

I can't recall if any of my British or Australian friends have done this, but in America, it is customary to say "thanks" or "thank you" after making the request.

It is quite common to do that in Australia too. =)

You use it when someone did something for you just now.

ありがとう　ございました。