More People Need to Write Thank-You Cards
More People Need to Write Thank-You Cards
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In a world of instant messages and e-mails, a card goes a long way.
As a kid, I always thought thank-you cards were a waste of time. I was never able to understand why I needed to write a card for a person so that they could rip it open, read it once, and then throw it in the garbage.
But even through my childhood irritation, my mom always made me write them. To her, it didn’t matter whether it was for a birthday present or because someone did something nice for me; a person deserved to be properly thanked for something that they did.
It wasn’t until I got older that I realized just how important these simple cards of gratitude were to people and how few kids my age knew the significance of writing one. Writing these cards has become a practice that is now ingrained in me that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.
People tend to think of thank-you cards as being “old fashioned” or an “outdated” courtesy, making them rare in today’s society. In fact, because so many people consider them to be a lost art, there are only a few people that still send them, which makes them a pleasant and shocking surprise for those on the other end.
Nowadays, there are different standards of etiquette and politeness. It might seem more efficient and prudent to simply send a thank-you email, rather than going through the trouble of writing, addressing, and mailing a physical letter. But I believe that more people should write thank-you cards because they carry with them immense benefits that you will be unable to get any other way.
When you write a thank-you card, it means more to the person receiving it than just an email or a text. Words in a speech bubble tell another person little about your appreciation of their gift or actions, but writing them down on paper and taking the time to put it in the mail shows that you really are grateful for what they have done for you.
Writing a thank-you card is something that people don’t forget easily, and they will be quick to remember you in the future because of this simple act. Having them remember your name and that you went out of your way to show gratitude will go miles in helping you foster a relationship that may become beneficial.
If, for example, you were to write a thank-you letter to a teacher whose class you were in all year long and tell them how much you appreciate their help in passing your AP exam, there is a greater chance that you will be able to ask them for a recommendation letter or assistance with a Senior Project later on.
Besides the potential benefits of thank-you letters while you are in high school, they can also have great rewards when you reach adulthood.
Knowing the art of writing a thank-you letter and actively taking the time to compose one has the potential to open doors for you to things such as internships, scholarships, and jobs. Writing a thank-you letter following an interview for an award or job will make you stand out from other applicants and put you in a better position to achieve your goals.
When an employer is looking to fill only one position with two equally qualified candidates, it will come down to which one made a better impression. If you’re one of those two applicants and you want that job, a thank-you card will become your new best friend.
In addition to their importance in your future endeavors, thank-you letters also carry with them a certain level of maturity. Recognizing and acknowledging a person’s time will show the receiver that you have wisdom beyond your years and have learned how to carry yourself well.
Being associated with these characteristics gives the perception to others that you know how to act with others in a professional environment, understand that time and money are important, and know that gratitude is a necessary life skill.
Besides this, writing thank-you cards can also benefit mental health. When someone gets a thank-you card, it can make them feel like the money they spent on that perfect gift or the time spent tutoring you was worthwhile. At the same time, writing a thank-you card and knowing that this card will make them happy will make you feel that the task has an impact and is meaningful.
Writing thank-you cards has become an important aspect of my life and a practice that I will never give up. While it may take time out of my day to write them, I know that my efforts are worth it in the long run. I encourage everyone to write more thank-you cards and to know just how important they can be both for you and for others. You never need an excuse to show gratitude, so when you get the chance, take the time to write one; you never know what one card has the potential to do.
This is Kaitlyn’s second year on the Edge staff and sixth year at Edgewood. She enjoys creating art, completing community service, and spending tons of time with animals. As a staff writer, she hopes to write diverse stories and prepare for her future career.
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