Author here. Appreciate the feedback.

I will ask: have you ever been laid off?

I have, and I'll tell you, being seen and thanked, even in a perfunctory manner, helped me be less hurt and angry.

N of 1 and all that, but that was my experience.

The rules of engagement I outline are, as I mentioned elsewhere, to take some of the stress off of folks who might otherwise not undertake this simple, humane gesture.