I’ve watched hula hoops, “Father Knows Best,” and Dick Tracy watches vanish into the pages of history with nary a whimper. I’ve stood by and shed not a tear for the demise of beehive hairdos, outsized cars, and sexual stereotypes. But now I must protest. What has happened to all the most gracious of gratitude’s—the thank-you note?
I must admit, I grew up thinking it was mandatory to jot a short note for any party, or gift, or particularly thoughtful gesture. I was forced to write the thank-you note.
And then I really grew up. I think it was when Mother found some old letters in Nana’s dresser drawer. Yes, included in that musty bundle were a few thank-you notes in a childish scrawl. Could it be that such a scruffy, short expression of gratitude carried such meaning? Could it be that putting pen to paper meant more than a brief response over telephone lines? I decided the answer was “yes.”
But with the passage of time, it appears that those of us who scribble acknowledgements on anything from memo paper to gilt-edged informals are moving into the same category as the passenger pigeon and dodo bird. Surely it must be true.
Why else would friends and colleagues make such a fuss and exclaim with astonishment, “You wrote a thank-you note!” Why would I be so pleased and amazed when one out of 20 guests takes the time to slip a message in the mailbox? Granted, I also learned long ago that true giving expects no thank-you in return. But maybe it’s a rule that we should learn to bend. Aren’t we more willing to go that extra mile the second time around for someone who appreciates the effort?
In this hurly-burly, pressure-cooker world of ours, perhaps we need the touch of parchment, the permanence of ink, and the one- of-a-kind words that let us know we have counted at all. The thoughtful thank-you note would move from pending extinction to a value-added gesture that could reap untold benefits.
Eileen McDargh, McDargh Communications. All rights reserved. You may reprint this article so long as it remains intact with the byline and if all links are made live.
Since 1980, professional speaker and Hall of Fame member Eileen McDargh has helped Fortune 100 companies as well as individuals create connections that count and conversations that matter. Her latest book is Gifts from the Mountain-Simple Truths for Life’s Complexities. Her other books include Talk Ain’t Cheap…It’s Priceless and Work for a Living and Still Be Free to Live, one of the first books to address the notion of balance and authentic work. A 59 year-old grandmother, she recently returned from climbing among the highest mountains in the world. Find out more about this compelling and effective professional speaker and join her free newsletter by visiting http://www.EileenMcDargh.com.
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