During my lifetime I have found that long-term friendships are among the most important aspects of life. One critical part of maintaining a long lasting friendship is making sure that you properly and appropriately thank your friends or colleagues after you have spent time with them, especially if they were hosting you.
I’m sorry folks, but even in this age of 24/7 texting, a text is NOT the appropriate or meaningful way to thank someone for anything. That’s because texts are so transient and are largely short blasts of random thoughts that have no long-term meaning or impact, and they disappear into the ether just as soon as they are sent. On the other hand, a properly written, brief thank you note in letter form (or even as an e-mail) will tell your friends that you really do care and appreciate your time with them.
A friendly thank you letter (or note) does not have to be long-winded at all. Two or three short paragraphs and less than one page will do. Just make sure it is sincere and heartfelt.
I recently visited a friend in another city and we had a great time doing things together for a few days. He was at work when I left to return home, so I took the opportunity to jot down a few lines, thanking him for his efforts as a host and guide as we explored his city together. I simply left the note on his kitchen counter when I departed. Two days later when I was back home I received a very nice e-mail from him, thanking me for my note and telling me how much he enjoyed our time together and how much he valued our friendship.
That simple gesture of writing a brief thank you note to my buddy is what lasting long-term friendships are made of, folks. It shows that you care, are truly grateful, and are willing to make a bit of an effort to say thanks. For important things in life you sometimes have to make a tiny bit more effort than simply thumb-typing a text as you wait in line at the airport for your mocha latte. In my opinion, a short friendly thank you letter or note is the only way to treat your true friends with the respect they deserve after they have put themselves out for you.
Bonus tip: Hand written or hard copy notes and letters to people who have done you favours at work, at school, or in any other social interaction are always appreciated. It’s true what they say: people may not remember what you say, but they will remember how you make them feel.
I agree that texting is is not appropriate and perhaps I am old-fashioned but I feel that an email is nothing more than a long text. If you truly value your friendship, then there is only one way to honor that friendship and that is with an old-fashioned snail-mail thank you letter. My email inbox is always filled with spam and I might miss that important thank you email but I will never miss a physical letter in the real mail.
Great post, but I have to agree with Stan! I love getting “snail mail” as it means that the writer not only took the time to write the letter, but post it as well–I also love the idea of handmade cards for those really special people–gives one a sense of accomplishment and is always fun to receive. Knowing that not everyone likes to be crafty about writing I definitely settle for just a note in my real mailbox.
It’s a fast paced life, I love the internet. A sweet thank you email with some pictures or even an attachment from well known poets, artists or a picture or two about your experience with your friend thanking him or her. It’s big and beautiful exploring your feelings, the internet is limitless, you can get so many ideas. Sometimes a card is nice too, if you could find the right one.
I totally agree with the friendly thank you note. Many people’s manners today have fallen by the wayside. And many do not care to learn proper etiquette. Thank you for the June letter. I enjoy reading everything you write about.
Diane
I used both application “texting” or “sending email”. For me to say “thank you for whatever or everything you did for me” is enough. I don’t need to elaborate it.
Great!! V.good I do agree that lasting long-term friendships are among the most significant aspects of all our life.
Thank you for opening my eyes and polishing my morals
I agree we need to thank our friends by writing a note or a card. It will take a while but then when they get it it sounds real and serious. Thanks for this post.
Thank you for the useful information.
I believe handwritten or typewritten messages and cards give an intimate feel to the message which one can save in a scrap book and always look back with fond memories of a special occasion and pass on to generations as a learning tool of the value of friendships.
Actually I pretty much appreciated this post. For some many people nowadays this has come to be seen as “old fashioned” but it is never too late to remind them that communicating is still about “caring”. Specially for our dearest. Thank you!
I prefer old fashioned letter because it’s give more value. Email is ok but nowadays you can find nice letter samples on the Internet. Some people just do copy and paste; it’s easy but no value because it’s not you a own ideas.
I was able to appreciate the thank you letter approach because of your experience in this writeup. I used to think that message by phones stays longer than a letter, which could be misplaced after a while.
I really agree that to thank someone for all what he did is essential; and I prefer to make it in a formal writing a note accompanied with a card whenever possible. I thank you very much.
I agree that Texting a thank you is just a bit short of meaningful. I even feel uncomfortable sending an email, but do, on occasion. Ideally, I’ve found that having a very inexpensive annual membership with Jacquie Lawson provides me with beautiful, always appreciated email Note Cards, and I use them freely. Recipients seem to LOVE them.
Showing appreciation to someone for doing something for you is indeed a good idea; but I think the timing is important. I would prefer an email because it is faster.