Courtesy Lost?
I remember during my senior year in high school a few months before graduation. I received a large box that contained my graduation invitations, my little name cards, and a box of thank-you note cards. For days after the box arrived my mom and I (mostly mom) pulled out the address book and fill out invitations for family and friends.
As we worked on invitations mom mentions to write down on a sheet of paper the names of people who send graduation gifts. When I asked way she said, "so we can send them a thank-you note", as she pointed to the box on the side. Then just as any usual teenager would mention I said, "what's the point they know who they are." She sternly replied, "because it's courteous."
In today's faster-paced world where waiting for a download or dinner at a restaurant seems to be a chore. We think less and less about courtesy, especially in the business world. I don't know why I think about it, maybe it's the generation I grew up in? Maybe it's the fact that leaving people hanging is just plain rude.
In my current situation I get presented with employment offers a number of times a week. I usually try and do all that the HR's and recruiters require. When I'm granted interviews, I try to drop thank-you emails to the interviewer and thank-you notes to recruiters I speak to. It's common courtesy.
Realistically, I shouldn't expect the same from those I work or network with, after all this is another time. Still, the sting of a rejection for a job doesn't hurt as bad when the person or business sends a note. That tells me they at least read as far as my letterhead.
Thirty years ago it was truly out of the way to say thank-you. Now with email you would think that we would get thank-you notes all the time. I guess my point here is even as you feel there are too few minutes in the day. Does it really take that long to be courteous and let someone know you appreciate their affords. Thank-You.
As we worked on invitations mom mentions to write down on a sheet of paper the names of people who send graduation gifts. When I asked way she said, "so we can send them a thank-you note", as she pointed to the box on the side. Then just as any usual teenager would mention I said, "what's the point they know who they are." She sternly replied, "because it's courteous."
In today's faster-paced world where waiting for a download or dinner at a restaurant seems to be a chore. We think less and less about courtesy, especially in the business world. I don't know why I think about it, maybe it's the generation I grew up in? Maybe it's the fact that leaving people hanging is just plain rude.
In my current situation I get presented with employment offers a number of times a week. I usually try and do all that the HR's and recruiters require. When I'm granted interviews, I try to drop thank-you emails to the interviewer and thank-you notes to recruiters I speak to. It's common courtesy.
Realistically, I shouldn't expect the same from those I work or network with, after all this is another time. Still, the sting of a rejection for a job doesn't hurt as bad when the person or business sends a note. That tells me they at least read as far as my letterhead.
Thirty years ago it was truly out of the way to say thank-you. Now with email you would think that we would get thank-you notes all the time. I guess my point here is even as you feel there are too few minutes in the day. Does it really take that long to be courteous and let someone know you appreciate their affords. Thank-You.
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