20.05.2023

Old money essential: Thank you notes

Be your best self. Up your game. Write a note.

Article contribution by Byron Tully

Picture: JFK Library

We’re going to talk about specific products very little here because, generally speaking, the Old Money way of life is not about being a consumer and buying things. It’s about values, priorities, and habits.

But an important exception has to be made when it comes to Thank You notes. It’s very important that you purchase and use these notes to send handwritten expressions of gratitude to friends, family, and colleagues at appropriate times.

If someone buys you lunch, even if it’s an old friend–especially if it’s an old friend–you should send a note to say thanks. The contents of the note are relatively unimportant. “Thank you for lunch. I really enjoyed it. Let’s do it again soon,” will suffice. Nothing verbose needed. Nothing clever required. If you feel you must write a thank you note haiku, stop writing until the feeling passes.

An email or text is not acceptable. Technology can be fast, efficient, and inexpensive, but it is not personal and it never will be.

Picture: Letter from Prince William on his 37th birthday in 2019 (courtesy from The Kensington Palace)

A thank you note’s impact is twofold: first, it’s for the other person. It tells them that you thought of them and appreciated the time spent together, the gift given, the memory shared. It strengthens your bond with them. It reveals to them the type of person you are: considerate, well-mannered.

Second, a thank you note reinforces the emotion of gratitude in you. It reminds you of how blessed you are, regardless of the challenges you face. The constant reinforcement of a positive emotion like gratitude, love, or joy is critical as you go through life. It will buffer disappointments. It will pull you in the direction of success. It will give you more to be thankful for.

Thank you notes need not be expensive. Crane makes high-quality, personalized paper products, but you can find perfectly good note cards in any office supply store or gift shop. What ever amount you spend, your note cards should be simple in design and used often.

So be your best self. Up your game. Write a note.

Thank you.

About Byron Tully (right)

Grandson of a newspaper publisher and son of an oil industry executive, Byron Tully is an author who also writes for the entertainment industry. His nonfiction debut, "The Old Money Book," was published in April of 2013 to excellent reviews and enjoys consistently strong sales worldwide. His other works include "The Old Money Guide To Marriage", "Old Money, New Woman: How To Manage Your Money and Your Life", and "Old Money Style - The Gentleman's Edition".

Byron regularly contributes to its blog, www.theoldmoneybook.com, which has been visited by over 1 million readers since 2014.

In February of 2020, "Old Money Style - The Gentleman's Edition" was published by Acorn Street Press. This fourth book in the Old Money series reveals the fundamentals of dressing well in a classic and timeless style. In November of 2020, Byron published a 2nd Edition of "The Old Money Book", which expands on his original classic. This 2nd Edition includes vital information and insights for readers as they navigate a very different, post-pandemic world.

Byron speaks frequently about the culture and values of Old Money. He has been interviewed by KABC New York's Financial Quarterback Show, The Huffington Post, and The Simple Dollar, among others.

He lives in Paris and is happily married to an Old Money Gal from Boston.

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Old money essential: Thank you notes

Be your best self. Up your game. Write a note.

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