“Write a thank-you note the minute you receive a gift or return home from a party.” Was it Babe Paley who coined this phrase? Simple as it may be, a thank you note can hold a reputation in limbo for years.
A golden opportunity exists to share a simple act of kindness for $1 (postage and card). Recently I conducted an experiment with no expectations. I separately took three individuals to a lunch because I wanted to learn more about them. Each was a very different individual and the luncheons shined the light on so many unique attributes each person had to offer in their respective professions. At some point, I knew I would see each of them in a different future circumstance - and I was curious to know how they would respond to the lunch and invitation.
Time passed by . . . a month passed by . . . and not one thank you note appeared to even acknowledge that we had met and had really great exchanges of information and learned a great deal in the process. I was shocked to say the least.
One of my dear friends is the absolute wizard of thank you's - right down to the stamp she selects. I had invited her over for a Christmas Luncheon and received a note that recognized things she enjoyed about the afternoon with friends - with a special eye to comment on furnishings, place cards, and the meal itself. On the hand-addressed (and hand return addressed) envelope was an Ellsworth Kelly postage stamp - one of my favorite artists. Now that's taking thank you's to a new level of Disney detail.
Writing a thank you note is an act of simple courtesy and is a perfect entre to continue a conversation and build a relationship. So - next time you find yourself receiving a gift, noticing something out of the ordinary, or being a guest at a lunch or function - consider the next step to reinforce your gratitude with a note, or prepare for being possibly "written off!"
