I was sitting here writing some thank you notes this morning. Not typing them, but writing them with a pen, on stationery, with my own handwriting. I’ll lick the envelope, put a return address label on it, stick a stamp on it, and toss it in the mailbox this a.m. I even wrote a note to my grandma telling her how excited I am that she’s coming to visit with my mom in April.
It got me to thinking about how many people write thank yous anymore instead of typing them and shooting off an email. Yes, email is great and is a wonderful way to communicate. I don’t think I could live 14 hours away from my extended family without email! But, I think there’s something to be said for that written letter.
My kids write a thank you for every gift they receive, no matter what the gift is. They write a thank you to every coach they have at the end of every season. They say thank you to their coaches after every single practice. These people are volunteering their time and deserved to be thanked, every day.
I was feeling a bit crappy after being laid off. But I had more time to do things that I usually rushed through, like buying groceries. I noticed how the employees work hard at their jobs, they always have a smile on their faces, and they are genuinely helpful. I started telling the guy at the deli counter thanks for his help, I told the lady who bags my groceries how much I appreciated it. At any check out counter, I’ve been smiling and telling the check out clerks to have a nice day before they get the chance. At the sporting goods store, I told the kid at the counter how much I appreciated his help with getting my bindings on my board correctly. I’ve actually been using the words “I appreciate your help” instead of rushing off with a quick “thanks” - it makes people smile. It makes me smile. Especially when you can see someone is having a particularly bad day . . . saying thank you or how much I appreciate their help might brighten their day a little bit, and it totally brightens mine.
How about you? Do you thank you?
I am right there with you. Handwritten thank yous are so important these days! I always make sure I look people in the eye so they know I am acknowledging them. In this world it is still the little things that make the biggest difference.
I am embarrassed to say that I do not do a very good job with written thank you’s…actually a terrible job…I have no good excuse for it, and it is inexcusable! I do thank people for helping me tho and I agree that it is important to them and helps to make their day better. Love…Mom
Jodie… I’m sooo embarrassed because if there is one friend I should write a thank you to, it’s you! I am so thankful for your boxes of hand-me-downs! Robby had Jason’s pjs on last night. I am also one of the worst people at writing thank you notes. I’ve been known to write one 4 months after the gift. That should be my new season (it’s almost spring… right?) resolution.
THANK YOU!
I write thank you’s for thank yous. I am anal about it. I also made my children write them when they were very young. I think it is an absolute necessity when people have been kind to you that you acknowledge it.
I also tell people in stores, etc. thank you, I really appreciate your help, constantly. I don’t think we should just expect their service. I find that when I am driving, if I smile at someone when they are passing me or waiting at a light, I get the biggest smiles back. It makes me feel better and I think it makes them realize someone cares about whether they are having a good day.
Thank you for pointing out this important issue.It may be small, but I think it is so appreciated.
I have several people, who don’t acknowledge gifts, that I have gone out of my way to make special, that they will find over time that they will be excluded from my list.
I am 99% yes.
Lately I haven’t been sending them to those that I know don’t send them, saves me a bit of time that I need here and there. But I would say I try to be 100% in normal situations.