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Thank You FOR READING THIS
Gazette, The (Colorado Springs), Aug 18, 2007 by MELISSA CASSUTT
Danke. Merci. Gracias. Domo arigato.
It doesn't matter how you say it.
It just matters that you do.
A recent survey conducted for the Emily Post Institute, a leader in etiquette advice, found that most Americans think gratitude is not expressed enough. Even more claim to be guilty of forgetting to say thanks.
The sad part is, the worst offenders are often within the family, said Syndi Seid, founder and director of San Francisco-based Advanced Etiquette.
"People often take it for granted -- especially among family members," Seid said. "I think it's equally important to family members that you say thank you to your parents, siblings and children."
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Well, here's your chance.
The Emily Post Institute deemed Sept. 24 the first national Thank You Day, in hopes of re-establishing the importance of the simple gesture, said Peggy Post, director and spokeswoman of the institute.
"It's just a reminder of how powerful the words 'thank you' are," Post said. "The right way is to really speak from the heart."
As part of the festivities, the institute is offering a prize valued at $20,000 to the best thank-you tale submitted. (Contest rules can be found at nationalthankyouday.com.)
But here at The Gazette, we want to know who you'd like to thank and why. Big or small, send us your stories of appreciation for those you might have forgotten to thank or would like to thank again. We'll publish some of the best in an upcoming story.
After all, as Seid put it: "You can never overdose on the thank- yous."
In the meantime, read on for advice on the art of the thank-you.
BEST WAY TO EXPRESS IT
So you know you want to say it, but you're not sure how.
Should you send a card? A gift? When is an e-mail appropriate?
"A thank-you doesn't have to be some big formal thing," Post said. "It can be a spontaneous, verbal thank-you when somebody holds the door for you."
Typically a verbal thank-you (either in person or on the telephone) and an e-mail are interchangeable as a way to show appreciation for something small. For example, if friends or family members cook dinner, the choice is yours whether to call or e-mail a thanks. E-mail thank-yous can also be good follows to interviews if you know the employer is on the road a lot. But make sure to follow up with a handwritten note, Post said.
If someone sends a gift, a thank-you note or card is more appropriate, Seid said. A phone call can be sufficient, but sending a card shows that you thought about the gift and truly appreciate it. Notes are expected for wedding gifts and must be sent within three months of receiving the present, Post said.
ONE OF THESE DAYS...
Time to confess. When was the last time you wrote a thank-you note? (E-mails don't count.)
Thank-yous are not just for grannies and those hoarding stacks of stationery.
"There's nothing more important in business than a thank-you note," said Howard Price, president of Multi-Net Marketing, a Colorado Springsbased advertising company. "We take applications all the time, and those people that send thank-you notes... they at least get a second look."
All too often we forget to say thanks for someone's time, talents or gifts. Even if you're planning on re-gifting that Christmas sweater as soon as you can find a box, it's still important to send a thanks, Seid said.
Luckily, writing thank-you notes isn't too difficult. Here are some guidelines:
Thank-you notes should always be handwritten -- even if your handwriting is terrible. Legibility, of course, is necessary. If you have children who are too young to write, Post suggests having them draw a "thank-you picture" instead.
Send a thank-you card between 24 and 48 hours of receiving the gift, having an interview or attending an event. If you just realized you forgot to thank Grandma for your birthday present from six months ago, it's not too late. The important thing is to send a thank-you as soon as possible, Seid said.
Begin your note with a cordial greeting. Make sure to spell the person's name correctly.
Be specific. Name what you are thanking the person for -- whether it's being a good friend or a gift. For example, name the store and specific dollar amount of a gift card.
Make sure to use the phrase "thank you" in at least one part of the note, though these don't need to be the first two words on the page.
Say something nice about the gift (even if it kills you). Also offer some idea of how you might use the present.
Close with a salutation, and make sure to sign your name clearly. With close friends and family, a first name is fine. With acquaintances sign your complete name.
Copyright 2007
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