Often is discussed whether you should send an e-mail reply that just has a simple “Thank You!.” One could say that to be a waste of time or that you are creating an unnecessary e-mail being added to the recipient’s inbox. I do get e-mails on a regular basis making this claim.
I have to wonder what type of society we live in where one has to ask if sending a Thank You e-mail is O.K. If everyone were courteous and e-mails simply stating “Thank You” were coming in by the handful, I could see where it may become an issue. But that’s not what is happening.
In my experience, those who take the time to send a Thank You for something you’ve done on their behalf are few and far between. Actually, Thank Yous are downright rare. I always get a smile on my face when, after doing something for a site visitor or client (even something as trivial as answering a few questions or concerns), an e-mail lands in my inbox with those 8 little letters that only took a moment to send.
So until the day comes when everyone is so polite and considerate that we are all sending Thank Yous and they become meaningless, as of today, by doing so you stand out from the rest who don’t feel this little effort matters.
Because guess what? It does matter and make a difference — to those who matter an make a difference in your life. I know I am always more inclined to assist those who thank me over those who show no gratitude.
Put a smile on someone’s face today by letting them know you appreciate their efforts on your behalf. Take a moment and thank them! They’ll be glad you did!
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Yet again we agree Judith, as we so often do! A thankyou does wonders whatever format it comes in: face-to-face, telephone, letter, e-mail. Even from the employer who is paying us to do a job a thankyou adds more than money ever could!
I see my online presence reflecting what I like to think is ‘my real self’, and I hope I never get so far removed from real life that I omit such easy small things as a thankyou by email.
Again I say Judith, I’m sure we don’t often enough thank you for all the wisdom you impart here! So thankyou!
Hey, Rodney:
I am curious why some are so apposed to taking the few moments it takes to thank someone (or read a thank you e-mail) who helped them or offered assistance of any kind. I do get, between both of my e-mail etiquette sites, visceral and emotional e-mails about the “waist of bandwidth” (misspelling intentional) that thank you e-mails seem to be to them.
Maybe it is how you are raised? I had a Mother that always sat us down after every holiday at the kitchen table and we hand wrote thank you notes to anyone who had given us a present. Yes, she could have written those herself, but instead, she taught us that it was important to take the time to do so promptly and in our own words whenever someone did something nice for us.
So, I guess that is why it comes naturally to me to not hesitate to thank those who do nice things for me and appreciate those who do the same.
I didn’t realize that before.
Thank Judith for your advice!
I’m glad to see your stance on this topic! I agree that taking a few moments to send (and read!) a quick “thank you” is a wonderful way to express gratitude and make the workplace a more civilized, polite place to interact.
I actually had a boss who told me, expressly, *never* to send her a “thank you” because it was a waste of her time to read and a waste of her email space. This was typical of her personality — mean-spirited and narrow-minded, especially to those who reported to her (now, if a higher up wanted to thank her, that was an *altogether* different matter).
Thankfully, I no longer work for this person!
Hey, Sarah:
We certainly do agree! What kind of person actually thinks a “thank you” is a waste time? I think we all know the answer to that one… Life is too short to work for people like that!