Thanks a Million

Since when is the proper response to “thank you” “thank you?” I rarely hear the words, “you’re welcome” anymore. I always say it, of course, here at the paper and it confuses people. They say, “uh-huh” like they are responding to my “thank you” back only I didn’t say it.

If you listen to talk show on the radio or TV, when the moderator says to the guest “thank you for being on the show.” What does the guest say? “Thank you.” I guess they are saying “thank you for having me on the show,” but it sounds to me as if they are saying “thank you for thanking me.”