You shouldn't have. v.s. I owe you.

[Lydia Lin]

I have read on the English learning websites that "Thank you. You shouldn't have." and "Thank you. I owe you one." can both be used to show thanks to someone. I wonder if there is any difference between them in addition to their literal meanings. Thank you for your help.

 

[billmcd]

I have read on the English learning websites that "Thank you. You shouldn't have." and "Thank you. I owe you one." can both be used to show thanks to someone. I wonder if there is any difference between them in addition to their literal meanings. Thank you for your help.

No difference, except that your second example would/could be considered less formal.

 

[Raymott]

I have read on the English learning websites that "Thank you. You shouldn't have." and "Thank you. I owe you one." can both be used to show thanks to someone. I wonder if there is any difference between them in addition to their literal meanings. Thank you for your help.

There are significant differences, assuming that the person saying "Thank you ..." is being honest.
The first means that the gift, act, etc. was not necessary, and that it wasn't expected.
The second means that the friendship is based on keeping score. The implication is that you would be indebted to the other person if they did anything for you, or gave you something.
But be aware that phrases like this have different social meanings in different English societies and subcultures. To some, they might mean nothing but "Thank you". In other cases, the implications may be more literal.

 

[FreeToyInside]

I have read on the English learning websites that "Thank you. You shouldn't have." and "Thank you. I owe you one." can both be used to show thanks to someone. I wonder if there is any difference between them in addition to their literal meanings. Thank you for your help.

I feel like the biggest difference between the two is that "thanks, you shouldn't have" is a response to a gift or a favor that the speaker wasn't expecting or didn't ask for. Whereas "thanks, I owe you one" feels like the speaker asked for a favor, and this is the response to the person for doing the favor. "I owe you one" sounds like "I owe you a favor."

(not a teacher, just a language lover)

 

[Barb_D]

I don't feel the same way about "I owe you one" as Ray. I feel it's more like "and hey, you know you can count on me for a favor too, you know." I don't see it as keeping score. But tone of voice matters too.

Now *I* owe YOU one - feels like keeping score.

Hey, Joe, thanks. I owe ya one, bro - feels like "I got your back like you had mine."