I like it when people say ‘thank you’ to me. And if someone feels they need to apologise hearing ‘sorry’ becomes the starting point to forgiveness or at least not developing resistance.
In reality, I’m mostly the one saying ‘thank you’ and ‘sorry’, especially to Mrs Russell.
Little words that convey enormous sentiment. However, I’ve found they must be used authentically and sincerely to be of any value. Used otherwise and one risks being considered disingenuous.