Are the words "thank you" necessary for you when you perform acts of kindness for others?

I don't need to hear the words thank you but what I do need is to see a result from my act of kindness such as a look of happiness on someones face or any kind of reaction that means that my act of kindness has reverberated in the world. Then I feel happy in return and the cycle is so complete. It's not necessarily a conscious reaction on any body's part at all. That is not whta I mean. It can be something very subtle and unconscious.

i think so it is an inherent part of the human animal to receive some form of feed back

kindness- definition- a quality or trait that is in relation to when a person is able to act soley based off true, simple, innocent care for something other then themselves, without expecting or seeking personal gain, even if it is just a thank you that's my definition of course

not really I like helping others so no i don't need to be thanked but when somebody does something for me I like to express my appreciation by saying thank you but that is just me. Of course i never let others take advantage of my good nature either.

My philosophy is what goes around comes around. I go out my way to not get caught doing kindnesses I guess it has something to do with the golden rule It really works for me!

No I do things for others because it's at the core of my beliefs that we must do what we can to make the earth better than it was when we got here, I do that mostly through helping others and by teaching my children to do so also. I get my thanks by how it makes me feel and the since of fulfillment that I get by helping people. IF you want a thank you for everything that you do than don't live among other people. you won't get it. Most people are to caught up in their own lives to even realize when someones helped them out. Just do it because it's the right thing to do and you'll get your satisfaction from knowing that you're helping make the world better.

I dont mind when people say thank you, but those words are used so much that i tend to wonder if they are really meant. a smile will do just as well!

I totally agree with what Sin says but by the time you read my answer you may not know what his answer was because he always removes his great answers. If that happens I will repost his answer (which I have copied) and then get the credit for his Best Answer heh heh. I am kidding of course.

If ever there was a thing of kindness I had done consciously or subconsciously, it was because of love or the side feelings that came with it like compassion or sharing what i had. When I give, I do it fast and turn my back without knowing if it is appreciated or reciprocated with a word of thanks. That is not my aim in giving. I just let it get blown in the wind to reach Him who most deserves the praise. Why would it matter to hear the words when the heart already feels the touch of joy? Doesn't the the garden bloom still even when the sun has turned away? "Thank you!"