"Thanks for Nothing"

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A few days back, my parents asked my siblings and me to help bring in their groceries. I took too long to get ready, so by the time I got down, all the groceries were brought inside. My mom thanked me for the (minimal) effort, but I couldn't tell if it was sarcastic. I didn't say anything because I felt so embarrassed for not doing what I was told to do. What am I supposed to say the next time this happens? Sorry? You're welcome?

If she said "Thanks for nothing', than 'you're welcome' is not an appropiate respone to give; that might come over as sarcastic. Thanks for nothing implies you were no help at all. Best you can reply with is 'I'll be quicker and try to help next time'.

I think it would be a good idea to say sorry even when you're not absolutely sure its appropriate, and you can add that it took you awhile to get your shoes on if that was honestly the problem. Hopefully your mom will let you know if that's unnecessary. If you did mess up, then offer to do something else. "Can I help put the groceries away?" or ask if there is some other way to help out your mom.

I have a really hard time knowing when someone is just friendly teasing or actually being sarcastic or worse, like mean spirited, so I just always assume the best.

She isn't actually thanking you for anything, "thanks for nothing" is a sarcastic statement, said when someone doesn't do anything worthy of a thank you. "You're welcome" is not an appropriate answer and will probably be construed as you being a smart-ass. "Sorry" is a more appropriate response.

My mom never said the phrase "Thanks for nothing", but I feel that she might as well have said it.