What's the deal with thank you notes?

Q. So, what's the deal with thank you notes? Do we still really  have to write them? Too busy in KY

A.  Dear Too Busy, in a word, yes, that is if you ever want a chance in h e double ell of ever getting another gift. Somehow, we've forgotten that when we are given a gift - somebody somewhere has gone to all the trouble of remembering you, getting off of their sofa and into their mode of transport, gone shuffling through racks and piles of this and that, dug through their cash and bought whatever it is you're now the owner of.

Adding to that they have either driven, mailed or carrier pigeoned the thing to your doorstep after having wrapped it and yet you wonder if you still have to thank them. In a word - or a few, yes. Even the Queen of England, while most likely bored with most of her gifts from well meaning people writes thank you notes - at least acknowledging that she got the thing.

Whether or not you like the gift, at least acknowledge the effort. If you still find you are too busy, write the person telling them so - and suggest that they not further burden you next year because you'll probably be too busy then too.