Graduate: Thank you so much for helping me get this job!
Z: I did not help you! I wrote no letter of recommendation, called no contacts, and gave no help writing the cover letter!
Graduate: But you helped so much!
Z: Well, how did I help?
Graduate: When I asked whether you thought I were qualified for it, and whether you thought I would be capable of moving to the town in question and living there, you said yes. Nobody else did, and without your matter-of-fact yes, I would not have dared apply!
Z (aside): Gosh, people are negative!
Axé.
So true!
Quite a compliment! Words matter!