Another Antique Being Birthed
As young students we were given formal instruction in this art at an early age as it was part of our daily curriculum, and we utilized it often during the year.
Can you guess what it was?
It would surprise me if you correctly answered, “The Written Art of the Thank You Note.”
Children and adults in this day in age not only do not write Thank You notes, but you are lucky if they verbalize a polite thanks.
Once some years ago, I wrote a check for $100 as a wedding present to a young couple I barely knew at church. After several months without any acknowledgement, I inquired as to whether they had received it. Their response was a simple yes. Nothing more. Not even a simply spoken, “Thank You.”
So who is at fault for the lack of manners and respect we are experiencing today?
Could it be the parents and schools or is it some kind of a mutated gene responsible for an innate ability?
Modern day parents and Dr. Spock followers have spoiled their children with an abundance of material possessions and services that have created a generation of entitlement. Is it any wonder people no longer feel the need to be grateful, respectful, and thankful?
When do we even use handwriting these days except to sign our names? No wonder schools have deleted penmanship from their curriculum. They no longer teach it to children leaving them unprepared to write. Many people today can’t produce a legible, comprehendible note if they have a mind to. Adding to the handwriting problem, texting abbreviations acerbate the writing problem as well. But that is a whole different matter.
Back in the old days, when I attended private school, we spent hours a day practicing Palmer Method drills ensuring that we would develop legible if not artistic handwriting. The public schools taught the Zaner-Bloser method.
My best friend of over 50 years, took the art of handwriting notes to the extreme sending me one every time she had dinner at my house which was often. Although that was intense it illustrated her childhood upbringing as well as her appreciation for the time, money, and personal interaction associated with our friendship.
In the present age of technology when people rarely compose handwritten notes there is a handwriting font built into most document writing programs negating the need to learn even basic signature writing.
Technology makes it quicker and easier to message by computer, text, ecards or Instagram practicing an important aspect of good manners-being polite-and yet children and adults alike fail to take advantage.
December 26 is National Thank You Note Day. Catch the significance? The day after Christmas when people have much for which to be thankful. I wonder how many people initiate or receive formal Thank You notes during this important season.
Unless we return to the art of teaching etiquette and writing skills, as well as penmanship which is now thought to be antiquated, I fear this once common courtesy will be lost forever!
