Life

This Proves Saying "Thank You" Can Go A Long Way

by Michelle Regalado

In the days of social media and emails, many consider a thank you card to be a relic of the past. But it turns out that your parents were right all along: saying "thank you" does make you seem friendlier and more thoughtful, according to a new study.

As reported by New York Magazine's Science of Us, researchers at the University of the Wales recently set up younger students with older mentors. Out of 70 mentees, half of them sent notes of appreciation to their mentors while the other half didn't. The end result? The mentees that sent thank you cards were perceived as having more "interpersonal warmth." Not only that, but the mentors were also more likely to want to keep in touch with those who made the considerate gesture.

In today's fast-paced, tech-driven world where everyone is constantly glued to their phone and laptops, it's easy for a simple gesture like saying thank you or writing a thank you note to fall to the wayside. But both acts can actually go a long way towards shaping other people's perceptions of you — not to mention, potentially brightening someone's day. After all, one small but meaningful gesture, like properly showing your gratitude, usually leads to another, and this study serves as a great reminder of the power of saying thank you.

So get to writing those thank you cards you've been putting off. And if you need help getting started, here are some tips for crafting the perfect thank you note.

Image: Etsy.com