The significance of the hand-written "Thank you"

[pjlippert]

I feel compelled to say that with all of the technological "advances" in todays world that nothing is more wonderful, thoughtful and meaningful than the hand-written Thank You card. Emails and texts are tolerable and weak at best, phone calls and VM's are nice. Honestly to truly bring joy to somebody who has done something nice for you- especially the unexpected act of gratitude, to me it is sooo much more memorable and meaningful to take the time to sit down and write out a sincere thank you card or note.

I can tell you from experience, that I have saved EVERY thank you card that people have taken the time to personally write a note of thanks to me. Be it, the home-made lasagna you bring to the new neighbors, or the family at church who just needs some extra help. The cards they have sent me, not only bring me the greatest joy and satisfaction, but also inspire me to continue the acts of service.

I'd love to hear your experiences and thoughts on this.

Pam

 

[maddiesmum]

Totally agree with you. I insist my kids write their thank you cards to people who give them gifts or financial sponsorship, takes a month and a half of nagging, but we get there, because, yes, it means a lot to the recipient.

I write thank you cards, I write long birthday cards, well, letters really because I stick in extra pages and use the birthday as a reason to communicate, not just say "Happy Birthday" and that's it. I almost NEVER do that. And I hate to receive it.

Receiving birthday greetings via email is the pits, it is, for me, the equivalent of a non-greeting from the "I couldn't be bothered to spend even 5 minutes looking for a card that suits your style, taste, personality or humour so I could send you a personal message to let you know I was and will be thinking of you on your special day" type of person. And let's not use the "I didn't have time to get you a card" excuse. Just don't go there. No-one has a monopoly on being any busier than anyone else.

Email birthday greetings? And e-cards? No thanks, not interested.

Clare

 

[rcsaros]

I still write thank you to my one aunt who sends me a birthday card/gift. Guess we learned through our years of growing up that is the right thing to do.

My sister has her kids write me thank yous for gifts I give them. They don't have to be long drawn out letters but the thank you in the card written by them says it all. Yes they are still writing them even at 22 and 19, even my great niece sends me thank you, well that may be the help of mom since she is only 2 but there was a mark in the card made by her : )

Rhonda

 

[paulababy]

I couldn't agree with you more! I received a generic "thank you for the gift" computer-printed page from a young man who recently graduated high school. He didn't even take the time to change each person's printout to reflect what gift they had given them! He also had his name printed - didn't take the time to sign the page!!! I also have to ask my sister-in-law if my niece and nephew received their birthday/Christmas presents, because we rarely receive any acknowledgement and/or thanks. Yes, our world is very different now. I don't think too many parents are teaching their kids manners. Well, I better get off my soapbox now before my kids do something rude and embarrass me !!
Paula

 

[MidgetDogg]

I think you're right. Same thing with eCards. My sister tends to send them for my birthday instead of a real card. I'm like... eh... thanks for that. But, I don't save cards - I hate having paper around.

 

[angie_nrs]

I always write personal thank you notes. On that flip side of that, I do have a tendency to get ticked when others don't have the decency to send thank you's for graduation, wedding, shower gifts, etc. I just think that is extremely rude. My thought is that anytime anyone sends you a gift, even if it is money, they certainly deserve a couple of minutes of your time and a stamp. It just means so much more when you get a thank you in the mail as opposed to e-mail, text, or message on the answering machine.

Sadly, I think the fine art of manners is becoming a thing of the past.

 

[Dela]

I think you're right. Same thing with eCards. My sister tends to send them for my birthday instead of a real card. I'm like... eh... thanks for that. But, I don't save cards - I hate having paper around.

ITA. Ecards annoy me, and I don't even know why exactly. I guess they still do mean someone was thinking of you, but for some reason, I have never been a fan.

 

[Fit_mommy]

None of this bothers me personally. As long as I get a thank you, I really have no preference as to how it comes. It's the thought that counts..not the means by which the thought is conveyed. JMHO ofcourse!