I’m Sorry Emily Post

Posted on 01.02.07 in Thoughts and there are 3 comments.

...but I’m TERRIBLE when it comes to thank you notes. Frankly, I loathe them. Bitterly.

Sometimes, I’d rather not get a gift if I have to write a thank you note.

Honestly, I imagine there are still some folks out there who wonder if we ever got their wedding gift. (We’ve been married almost 9 years.) Terrible, I know. I’m sure my cotillion membership is being revoked as we speak read.

Perhaps part of my problem is that I am an overacheiving procrastinator. I put off thank you notes until the last minute and then I decide I need to write a three page novel for each one or create a really cute photo thank you with pictures of my kids. What was a simple 30 minute task turns into a 3 day endeavor that requires project management software, GANTT charts and lighting crews.

What I should do, is just buy those fill in the blank cards.

Don’t get me wrong. It’s not that I’m not thankful. I’m very thankful. :cheese See, don’t I look thankful?

I was raised on email. Type it. Send it. You’re done.

With regular letters you have to find the address, find stamps, envelopes, notecards and a decent pen. My scatterbrained procrastinating self can drop the ball at any one of those milestones.

So, here’s my proposition. I think it should be acceptable etiquette to write email thank you notes. What’s the difference really, right?

I’m starting a petition. Who’s in?

The Comments:

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Well, I love getting a thank you note in the mail.  And while an email thank you is better than nothing, a handwritten note still conveys so much more appreciation to me.

But, I’m not so great at it either.

I agree. My graduation party was in mid-September, and I’ve given out a grand total of 1 (one) thank you notes. Everyone knows I’m grateful, but etiquette insists. Plus, my handwriting isn’t all that fantastic, so I’d rather not actually write.

I think it depends on what kind of note you’re writing. On thank-you notes, if someone came by and checked on your cat one day, an e-mail would suffice. But if that same someone surprised you with a free Carribean cruise, then a quick e-mail saying “Thanks BUNCHES!” might not do it. Like a lot of things in life, there’s a gradient.

Tonight I’ve got to respond to an old friend who told me in her Christmas card that her husband just up and died unexpectedly one day, in her arms. I’ll be getting out the pen and paper for that one, because I don’t think an e-mail will work. I’m not sure a written response will be more effective in easing her pain, but it hopefully will seem a little more heartfelt. At least that’s how it seems to me.

I just got back to blogging after a long absence, so I’m enjoying checking out your recent entries. Take care.

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