My husband and I were fixed up by mutual friends. Like any fix-up, our mutual friends thought we’d hit it off because we have a lot in common. At the time, we were both practicing lawyers; they knew that we both liked to travel and they thought that there was just something about each of us that would attract one to the other. They were right, we hit it off immediately and we’ve been together for over 10 years now. But, what they didn’t know about my husband that made him even more endearing to me, is that prior to us meeting he had his own stash of stationery. Yup, I couldn’t make this up. I loved it – he wrote letters!! And I wholeheartedly believe that real men write letters.
He had professional stationery, he had social stationery and he had just good ‘ole notecards that said “thank you” on them. Similar to me (yes, they were right, we had a lot in common), his grandmother also played a big role in his life and just like Effie, she was a bit of a stickler for things like writing thank you notes. He learned from a young age that taking the time to handwrite a note, thank you, condolence or otherwise, is the sign of good breeding and a way to help distinguish yourself from the masses.
Today’s job market is on steroids compared to what it was when I graduated from college. Getting a job, much less the job of your dream, is no mean feat. Should you write a thank you note instead of sending an email saying “thanks” to the recruiter or HR person? Yes, definitely. But, it doesn’t stop there. If your boss invites you over for dinner or out to play golf, send a thank you note. If you notice a colleague having a rough time (personal or professional), send a note of encouragement. If a friend, colleague or adversary lands a big fish, gets a promotion or new job send a congratulatory note. During the holiday season if the practice in your company is to give support staff monetary gifts, include a handwritten note expressing how much their help through out the year means to you. Real men (and women) take the time to write a handwritten letter; your efforts will not go unnoticed and they might make all the difference and help you get that promotion (or who knows, the gal too!)
We’re working on a new line of stationery for men, to inquire/place an order, shoot me an email at kalyn@effiespaper.com. And if you’re stumped and not sure what to say in these letters you are going to start writing, be sure to get a copy of my Thank You Note Template (you can thank me later!).
