I must admit, however, that last year there was a nice exception to the trend. I again asked my friends to forgo any birthday gift to myself and instead make a donation (if they wanted to) to a local charity that lends support to low-income families. Not only did they all receive a thank-you note back from the nonprofit, they also received notes from the actual families their money went to help.
To this, I just had to say, “Wow!” I don’t care if the main drive behind this was to solicit more money out of these benefactors, it was still refreshing to see and hear about. In fact, if that was the main reason, I just have to say – it worked. I now recommend this charity on my birthday and each Christmas. (There’s another great reason to write a thank-you note – more money and gifts!)
We are all busy and we easily get sidetracked in this technology-driven world, but that’s no reason for us to forget our manners. The times may be changing, but that doesn’t mean we should.
Whether it’s just because you are a good human being, or because you want the gifts to continue in the future, I suggest we all – especially my kids and grandkids – once again engage in that wonderful act of expressing our gratitude with a handwritten thank-you note.
By the way, I am still awaiting thank-you notes from two sons and three grandchildren for past birthdays and holidays. Sure hope for their sakes something comes by Dec. 25th.
– BizarroGuy's Mother
P.S. Along these same lines, what ever happened to the nice customary hand wave to say thanks when someone lets you merge in front of them?
Article comments
1 - EJ
I completely agree! People are just downright rude or lazy. I don't think that the advanced technology really has anything to do with it though. Any argument that can be made against new technology now can be used against technology at any point in history and compared to the popular technology in use. It's a person issue. People are either too rude or too lazy to write a thank you note. The same is true for waving at people who are nice on the road. I've noticed that people expect you to be nicer to them on the road than if they weren't in a car. They expect you to let them cut you off without getting mad, even though they wouldn't expect that if you were standing in line at the theater. I don't HAVE to be nice to other people on the road, and if I choose to, it's soley at my pleasure. It's nice to see the gratitude from people when I'm nice instead of the attitiude that I'm expected to do be nice.
2 - Joanne Huspek
I was one of those moms who made both kids write thank you notes before they could partake in their gifts. They do a pretty good job of it still, even though they are in their 20s. It's a lost courtesy, but only because it's not taught anymore.
BTW, I'm in that slow driving Prius who waves and lets everyone in front of me. :-)
3 - China
You're right, customs have changed much in this "techno world" of today.
However, every then and now there are these special moments that surprise us, such as when a little child presents a beautiful drawing as a "gift" and the smile and pride that it exprsses when presenting it fills our hearts with joy.
Of course, we teach our kids to be grateful for whatever they receive but the forms of expressing gratitude have changed. If the heart is grateful, I'm at peace and let God guide His own children and teach them the manners He likes.
Not expecting a "thank you" at all and still not becoming weary in doing good is a strategy that works well. It leaves our mind free to focus on the good we can still achieve and rewards us with unexpected "thank you" notes.
Life is so simple, like a well it's always giving and in giving we receive, isn't it?
I'd rather love to teach my kids how to give and be happy in giving knowing that love is never poured out in vain and it does never return unto us void.
God bless you!