Community Chat

[coffee drinker]

@panda1234  If I asked, he'd probably respond, "sure, I got your gifts."  Most kids just don't feel awkward about anything.  Somehow they feel entitled to everything and we're (most of us) responsible for that.

[Karie2022]

Yes I guess being polite is not in vogue...as a family we either write out a thank you and mail it...or at least a phone call, text or email....so rude not to acknowledge someone who thought of you...very selfish....not just the young either, I bought a birthday gift for a friend who’s in her 40’s, took the time had it monogrammed and never received a thank you...many kids birthday parties,  a wedding, etc...sometimes I just want the acknowledgement to make sure they received my gift🙄

[INDIANA BONES]

@Annabellethecat66 I have one friend I worked with for many years that sends me all my PJ's since I became disabled.  I cry every time she gets me my care packages from the girls and guys at work.  My income went from very high to very low and when I get items from them or used clothes mailed to me from a friend, I break down in tears.

Just wanted to let you know that you are making someone feel very special and cared about.   Your post has really touched me.  

[jeanlake]

The times, they are a-changing (thank you Dylan, circa '60s). And times and behaviors will continue to change. Busier world. Chaotic world. I'm not as good as I used to be about notes -- but as a poster shared it helps to keep a stack of cards handy. I  conveniently mail and stamp at local grocery store.

Any appreciation given to me, in any form, is graciously accepted. Darn it -- I just can't control others' behaviors. I did pass etiquette down to the next generation. Sometimes that act -- and our examples are the best teachers. 

[corita]

       As a child, I was taught to send thank you notes and I did...after every gift...birthday, graduation and wedding! My mother was a great role model.  She had these yellow letter/ cards called "thank you-grams".  She used them often; sent to family, friends and even store employees where she was treated well.   I received many a "thank you-gram" while growing up!!!

      I also taught my children to do the same.   As grown ups, am not really sure if they have kept up with it, but I know email has taken the place of a hand written note!!

      A gift from me is not always for an occasion. Sometimes, it is a thank you for all you have done for me!  I do like getting a written thank you, but often it is just a verbal thanks!!

[Trinity11]

I am not really sure when the trend for not writing a thank you note started but it does seem like I have received one less and less when I send a gift.

I think it reflects a lot on our fast paced lives and the inability to worry about the "other person." People seem to care less and less whether they are thought of as having manners.

I do not particularly feel that it is a good thing but I have accepted the fact that our world is nothing like when I was growing up and manners seemed to have some significance...or at least a little significance.

[Annabellethecat66]

@INDIANA BONES My guess is you deserve having that good friend.  You are most likely as good to the friend as she/he is good to you.  

People like you WANT other's to help them.  Getting back to the OP's subject, when a kindness is done, it should make the recipient WANT to acknowledge appreciation.

You sound like a very kind person.  It's people like you and other's here that makes other's want to show kindness.

[grandma r]

A big Thank You to all who took the time to post.  I have read all of the comments.  

OK, I accept that a written note might be unnecessary to some.  However, people constantly walk around with their phones!!!  A text or a brief phone call would be nice!!!!  

I'm not looking for validation or such;  it would be nice to know that a gift was received.  

When tracking deliveries you sometimes get "left at front door" or "left by garage".  Hopefully the person the gift was intended for received it, but, I have no way of knowing.

From now on, I will only give checks.  That way I will know that the check was cashed.  

If it is too difficult or time consuming for someone to say " Thank you" for a gift or kindness then this world is going to #$!! in a hand basket!!

[panda1234]

@coffee drinker It makes you appreciate a thank you note as before we took it for granted.

[shoptilyadropagain]

Although I'm tempted to not ever gift the same person again if I've not received a TY note (or any type of acknowledgement), I do reduce the amount I give them for future occasions.