History Main / GrudgingThankYou

Alice has always disliked Bob or people in general or is just very [[{{Pride}} proud]]. But to Alice's dismay, she gets helped out by Bob in a moment when she really needs it. Glumly, Alice accepts and just when Bob is leaving Alice goes:

%%* The turning point in the Disney version of ''WesternAnimation/BeautyAndTheBeast''.

!!Examples

* After Zatch saves Kiyo a few times in early ''Manga/ZatchBell'' episodes, Kiyo tries his best to thank him but can't get the words out, settling for "I owe you". This is played more dramatically in the manga.
* Seto Kaiba from ''Anime/YuGiOh'', who wasn't happy about losing his World Champion's title to a virtually unknown kid, grudgingly thanks Yugi for saving his little brother {{Mo|ralityPet}}kuba at the end of the Duelist Kingdom arc. He thanks him ''only'' for Mokuba; admitting he had to be saved himself as well would have been a too big blow to his ego.
* Uryu Ishida and Ichigo Kurosaki from ''Manga/{{Bleach}}'' tend to have this kind of interaction often, though they even more frequently hang lampshades on each other's UngratefulBastard moments.

* ''Manga/MoriartyThePatriot'': Played with: When Louis finally thanks Sherlock Holmes for saving his brother's life, after loathing him for the entire series to that point, he is genuine and sincere with no hesitation at all, but Sherlock wasn't expecting such a heartfelt expression of gratitude from him.

* In ''ComicBook/{{Transmetropolitan}}'', after Spider Jerusalem gets knocked out during a severe storm, his assistant Yelena Rossini proceeds to write a critical story in his name to make a deadline. Later, upon admitting the fact, she cringes waiting for his typical reaction (dirty words and violence), but instead he kisses her forehead and quietly replies, "Thank you."

* In ''ComicBook/ThePowerpuffGirls'' story "Everything Must Go," (DC run, issue #48) the Amoeba Boys have bought an electromagnet from Mojo Jojo's yard sale, and without any rational thought uses it to draw the moon towards Earth (claiming they were using it to hail a taxi). Mojo averts disaster by reversing the magnet's force and thinks the girls owe him a "thank you." The girls lock him in jail for creating the thing in the first place.

-->'''Diego''': You know, you have a way of saying "thank you" that makes it sound more like "drop dead".
-->'''Shira''': It's a gift.

* Played both ways in ''Film/{{Logan}}''. Wolverine is only [[RefusedTheCall reluctantly convinced]] to take [[ComicBook/{{X23}} Laura]] on a road trip to safety. But halfway through the movie, Wolverine thanks her for taking him to a doctor after he passed out. Laura replies, "De nada." ("You're welcome.") This causes a WTF reaction in Wolverine who up to now ''[[TheVoiceless had no idea that she could speak]].'' Laura responds with a ForeignLanguageTirade that those who speak Spanish will understand is a WhatTheHellHero to Wolverine for his own attitude.

* In Creator/IsaacAsimov's ''Literature/TheRobotsOfDawn'', Elijah Baley receives one of these from the Chairman of Aurora, after the Chairman was prompted. The Chairman rarely thanks ''anyone''; thanking an Earthman was... impressive.

* ''Literature/TurnCoat'': Morgan starts to give one of these to Harry. He cuts Morgan off, stating that neither of them wants to hear him say that, for which Morgan is more than agreeable with. Earlier, Morgan also gives a grudging "You're welcome" in ''Literature/DeadBeat'', after Harry happily thanks him for [[spoiler:his first Warden paycheck]].
* In the Creator/TomClancy novel ''Literature/PatriotGames'', ULA terrorist Sean Grady is temporarily transferred to a cell with ordinary criminals in it. When the cops check on him, he's been beaten and is being raped. The officer pulls the other prisoner off of Grady and gets him to the infirmary, at which point Sean says "Thanks." This is notable in that it's literally the ''only'' unnecessary word that Sean says in the presence of the police between the time he's arrested and the time he's broken out (At which point he shoots and nearly kills the officer who saved him).
* One of the invading rogues on ''Literature/WarriorCats'' gives this to the Clan cats and Tribe cats when they saved them from an eagle.
* In Creator/DorothyGilman's ''Literature/TheClairvoyantCountess'', Joe Painter finally manages to say "thanks" at the end of their first meeting, after Madame Karitska has stopped him from shoplifting and being caught.

'''[=McCoy=]:''' ''[indignantly]'' I'm trying to thank you, you pointed-eared hobgoblin!\\

* In ''Series/{{Friends}}'', the episode after Ross and Rachel break up ([[WillTheyOrWontThey that is, the first time they broke up]]), Ross helps the others out after they get stuck on the road with no gas, and gets a rather reluctant 'thank you' from Rachel before they go.
* ''Series/BuffyTheVampireSlayer'': Buffy to Spike at the end of "[[Recap/BuffyTheVampireSlayerS5E18Intervention Intervention]]". She's understandably {{squick}}ed out by his possession of a sex doll in her likeness, but after tromping all over his attempt to justify it, she follows up with:
-->''"That ... thing, it ... it wasn't even real. What you did, for me, and Dawn ... that was real. I won't forget it."''
* In the ''Series/{{Jessie}}'' episode "We Are So Grounded", Jessie gives Emma a teeth-clenched "thank you" for curing her of a poisonous bite.
-->'''Emma:''' Where's my thank you for sporking you back to health?
-->'''Jessie:''' THANK YOU!!! I HOPE I GET TO DO THE SAME TO YOU SOME DAY!!!
* This happens in ''Series/{{Misfits}}'' when Nathan gets [[EmbarrassingRescue rescued from a totally ridiculous situation]] by Kelly. He doesn't actually utter the words "thank you", but he mumbles and gestures awkwardly until Kelly asks if he's trying to thank her, and he admits: "I guess I am". Cue awkward silence rife with {{U|nresolvedSexualTension}}ST.

* ''VideoGame/SuperRobotWarsOriginalGeneration Gaiden'' had this after Axel had saved Lamia, even though he was formerly an adversary (but got a HeelFaceTurn). And then the next time they meet, they help out each other and just before Axel could leave, Lamia stopped him with
-->'''Lamia''': ''Before you leave, can I say something, Captain?''
-->'''Axel''': ''Sure. Go ahead.''
-->'''Lamia''': ''... Thank you.''
* Strangely enough, an ''inversion'' shows up in ''VideoGame/MegaManMaverickHunterX''. After the intro stage where Zero saves X, Zero starts to walk away, but X stops him to say thanks. Zero ''ignores him'', apparently uncomfortable with the implication, and literally jets off.
* ''VideoGame/TalesOfHearts''. Hisui's been at odds with Shing the entire game, owing to a solid string of misunderstandings involving Shing and his sister Kohak. When Shing pulls a dangerous BigDamnHeroes and saves Kohak atop a rumbling mountain, Hisui berates him, but [[YouCalledMeXItMustBeSerious calls him "Shing you idiot!" in the process]]. When Shing points this out, Hisui cracks: "S-so what about it? ..but I guess it's true that you did save Kohak. I'll say it once: Tha, thanks."

* ''VideoGame/StarFox 64'' has this in a few of Falco's comments, such as "I guess I should be thankful."
* In ''VideoGame/HyperdimensionNeptunia'', at the conclusion of the Lastation Tech Expo story arc, Neptune faces off against a giant KillerRobot out to destroy her. When she defeats it, CPU Black Heart arrives on the scene, telling her things wouldn't have come to this if she (Black Heart) hadn't been so negligent, while also having another of her {{tsundere}} moments when she actually goes to thank Neptune for her help.

* In the end of ''VideoGame/BugFables'', during the final ceremony, when Team Snakemouth talks to [[ThePrimaDonna Mothiva]] and thanks her for helping them in [[spoiler:the [[VeryDefinitelyFinalDungeon Giant's Lair]]]], she accepts the gratitude in her usual way, and then thanks them back, but the variety of faces she makes before thanking clearly indicates she does that ''really'' begrudgingly.
* ''VideoGame/FTLFasterThanLight'': In the Abandoned Sector, you may encounter the [[ConMan Slug]] ship begging to be saved from Lanius consuming them. Should you save them, and, provided they didn't bail while you were fighting, they may, well...
-->''The Slugs reluctantly thank you for your help, protest [[BlatantLies they had the whole situation under control]], attempt to [[EntitledBastard make you pay for them helping you]], and an hour later, finally relent and give you some supplies.''

* In ''Webcomic/AtArmsLength'', Kaige rescues the dragon-loathing adventurer Ginger from a monster during "Games Monsters Play". Later that evening during an uncomfortably silent moment between the two, Ginger thanks him.

* In ''WesternAnimation/TheMask: The Animated Series'' "The Terrible Twos", The Mask rescues Lt. Kellaway from Putty Thing. Kellaway thanks him for saving his life and grudgingly admits he may not be "such a bad guy after all". The Mask then gives him a wedgie, as usual.
* Subverted on ''WesternAnimation/CampLazlo'': Lazlo has just saved Edward from having to blow up his favorite doll. Edward is his usual angry self, but as he walks off, he says, "Oh...and Lazlo? Tha--''clean up this mess, you loser!''" [[SarcasmMode How sweet]].
* ''WesternAnimation/TransformersAnimated'': Sentinel Prime, after having been targeted by the Headmaster and reunited with his body, thanks his rival, Optimus Prime.
-->'''Optimus Prime''': Wow. That must have hurt.
-->'''Sentinel Prime''': More than you know.
* In ''WesternAnimation/SheRaPrincessOfPower'', Hordak gives a variant after seeing She-Ra risk her life to save the both of them from AnotherDimension. They return just before a battle breaks out between the Horde and the Rebels, and Hordak commands the Horde to stand down, stating he doesn't want to owe She-Ra later for saving his life. Everyone is [[OOCIsSeriousBusiness stunned by his actions]] (including Hordak himself).

--> '''[=LeBarbara=]''': Hermes, don't you think you owe Zoidberg a thank you for saving you from yourself?
--> '''Hermes''': ...but I hate him.
--> '''[=LeBarbara=]''': Honey, we all do. But fair's fair.

-->'''Finkerton:''' (''in his usually surly tone'') Inch, I have just one thing to say to you...\\
(''Gator places the goldfish bowl with the goldfish in Finkerton's lap--Finkerton lights up'')\\

* In ''Film/Hellboy2004'' Tom Manning and Hellboy can barely stand each other with the former being somewhat bigoted towards inhumans and the latter being reckless and disobedient, but after defeating Kroenen together, the two somberly thank each other.

* ''LightNovel/{{Oreimo}}'': After taking a literal ''beating'' from their father covering for his little sister's hobby, Kousaka Kyosuke goes about his next day like any other. This trope was major character development for Kirino, including the first and so far only time she addresses him as brother and led to Kyosuke [[TitleDrop proclaiming]] "My little sister can't be this cute."

* After taking a literal ''beating'' from their father covering for his little sister's hobby, Kousaka Kyosuke goes about his next day like any other. This trope was major character development for Kirino, including the first and so far only time she addresses him as brother and led to Kyosuke [[TitleDrop proclaiming]] [[LightNovel/{{Oreimo}} "My little sister can't be this cute."]]

* King Faraday delivers one (via telegram) to Franchise/{{Batman}} in ''Batman'' #314 after Batman saved his life against Two-Face. Batman notes that a 'thank you' from someone like Faraday is glowing praise.

** In the episode "Bread and Circuses" Bones gives Spock a GrudgingThankYou and receives a ThinkNothingOfIt in return.
--->'''[=McCoy=]''': Spock, er, I know we've, er, had our disagreements. Er, maybe they're jokes, I don't know. As Jim says, we're not often sure ourselves sometimes. But, er... what I'm trying to say is...\\
'''Spock''': Doctor, I am seeking a means of escape. Will you please be brief?\\
'''[=McCoy=]''': What I'm trying to say is, you saved my life in the arena.\\
'''Spock''': Yes, that's quite true.\\
'''[=McCoy=]''': [Indignant] I'm trying to thank you, you pointed-eared hobgoblin!\\
'''Spock''': Oh yes, you humans have that emotional need to express gratitude. "You're welcome", I believe is the correct response.
** There's another one in "Let This Be Your Last Battlefield". One of the aliens of the week is set up as someone who's hotheaded and difficult but ultimately at least somewhat sympathetic. Viewers get a hint of that second half coming when in his first exchange with Kirk and [=McCoy=], after reacting very angrily to their (perfectly accurate) accusation that he had stolen a Federation ship, the alien visibly pulled himself together enough to thank them quite sincerely for rescuing him.
* ''Series/DeepSpaceNine''. In "Soldiers of the Empire", the Klingon general Martok gives one to Dr Bashir for patching him up. Bashir then roasts Martok for getting blood on the carpet. Martok realises he's being trolled and [[ActuallyPrettyFunny can't help smiling]].

* ''Series/BuffyTheVampireSlayer'': Buffy to Spike at the end of "Intervention". She's understandably {{squick}}ed out by his possession of a sex doll in her likeness, but after tromping all over his attempt to justify it, she follows up with:
-->"That ... thing, it ... it wasn't even real. What you did, for me, and Dawn ... that was real. I won't forget it."

[[folder:Web Comics]]

* In ''Webcomic/{{Homestuck}}'', after John's Dad takes Jack's [[BadJobWorseUniform hat]], sets it on fire, and sprays shaving cream all over it before stomping it to oblivion, Jack allows him to leave. He really hated that hat.

* VideoGame/StarFox 64 has this in a few of Falco's comments, such as "I guess I should be thankful."

* In ''VideoGame/TheLastOfUs'' Joel scolds Ellie for breaking the normal plan of regrouping despite the fact she saved him from a Hunter that was drowning him, making it necessary in the first place. Later when he finds her a rifle to help him shoot some Hunters outside before going off he says "And for the record, it was either him or me." to which Ellie responds "You're welcome." after he jumps down outside of hearing distance.

-->-- '''Diego''', ''WesternAnimation/IceAge4ContinentalDrift''

* Shira gives one to Diego in ''WesternAnimation/IceAge4ContinentalDrift'', after he brings her some water.

* In the ''Series/{{Jessie}}'' episode "We Are So Grounded", Jessie gives Emma a teeth-clenched "thankyou" for curing her of a poisonous bite.

-->'''Emma:''' Where's my thankyou for sporking you back to health?
-->'''Jessie:''' THANKYOU!!! I HOPE I GET TO DO THE SAME TO YOU SOME DAY!!!

* The turning point in the Disney version of ''Disney/BeautyAndTheBeast''.

* ''Literature/TurnCoat'': Morgan starts to give one of these to Harry. He cuts Morgan off, stating that neither of them wants to hear him say that, for which Morgan is more than agreeable with. Earlier, Morgan also gives a grudging "You're welcome" in ''Dead Beat'', after Harry happily thanks him for [[spoiler:his first Warden paycheck]].

* ''KnightsOfTheOldRepublic'': You can get Bastila to apologize for her earlier rudeness, but according to the text it sounds like 'pulling teeth'.

** There's an episode which featured an opponent whom Batman feared could actually defeat him in combat (though he wouldn't admit it); when the final showdown occurs, [[BruceWayneHeldHostage he's in Bruce Wayne disguise and can't fight up to his full potential]]... until Robin comes along and "removes" the sole witness. In the denouement a day later, Batman thanks Robin for his assistance, and admits that defeating the bad guy might have been highly difficult, "maybe impossible".
** In another episode, Harvey Bullock is targeted by a killer and asks Batman for help. Bullock continues to [[BrutalHonesty express his dislike of Batman]] but does thank him in the end.

* ''Series/DeepSpaceNine''. In "Soldiers of the Empire", the Klingon general gives one to Dr Bashir for patching him up. Bashir then roasts Martok for getting blood on the carpet. Martok realises he's being trolled and [[ActuallyPrettyFunny can't help smiling]].

** Auron. Sora even asks him to be grateful, to which he answers [[SugarWiki/FunnyMoments "thanks for meddling"]].

This thanks, however grudging, is sincere; insincere ones fall under EmbarrassingRescue. It can often be a CrowningMomentOfHeartwarming.

** Auron. Sora even asks him to be grateful, to which he answers [[CrowningMomentOfFunny "thanks for meddling"]].

Contrast UngratefulBastard.

* In ''Film/Predator'' After the character Mac saves Dillon from a scorpion crawling on his back by pinning it on his knife, Dillon pauses and resentfully says "Thanks".

-->'''Emma:''' Where's my thankyou for sporking you back to heakth?

* Any time Nynaeve, Elayne, and Egwene are forced to thank Mat for anything in the ''WheelOfTime'' it comes out like this.