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There is seldom need for praise, that's what makes the praise mean something. Some stranger took the time to thank a person for doing something. Huge high five, probably felt good for both of them. I don't think we should discourage positive human interaction.

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It still feels to me like praising somebody for doing something mundane, e.g. washing their hands.

Sure, a positive interaction and rewarding something important. At the same time we shouldn’t forget to aim to make this behavior commonplace.

Someone holding the door open for me if I'm right behind them is a mundane thing and should be the default, but I still thank them for it.

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