Maybe I'm just too "old school" (I don't believe that, but had to say it) but if someone sends me an inquiry, I feel I need to at least respond and say, "Thanks." Apparently I'm in a growing minority. It used to be a bit of work to respond ~ had to find pen and paper, hand-write something, find an envelope, address it, stamp it, then mail it. Today, it's like less than ten seconds. And still... Then I read a couple of things about the Wright Brothers in their early days of working on the problems of flight (David McCullough's new book). When the pair was ready to transition from gliding to flying with an engine, they sent inquiries to engine manufacturers in seven states, asking if any of them could make a lightweight gasoline engine. Only one bothered to even respond. But the best one (for me) was on the day their "Flyer" took to the skies for the first time and flew under power for 59 seconds (misreported as "57") ~ a moment captured in a single photo and one that spun the course of human history ~ the brothers' local paper declined to print the news, saying, "...if it was 57 minutes, then that would be a story." So if you ever find yourself being ignored...
Anything Goes : Response(s) by Hank Isaac
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Hank - it's not a dying art...it's called common decency. I think younger generations may not have been brought up with suc manners, but still, either you have it or you don't. I dig your overall style and I'm glad you're in this community.
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People will certainly appreciate you. Although, some people will hate you no matter what. Some people just can't handle rejection, so you may get some bad feedback. Those people don't belong in this business. Your attitude is right, and I would definitely prefer to hear back one way or the other.
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I've been brought up to always write thank-you notes after being given a gift of any kind. None of my friends have. People older than me love to receive them. People my own age wonder why I bothered. Perhaps today everything happens too fast or too easily to appreciate the little things.
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People can also see an enquiry as a bother rather than a compliment that someone believes them to be an expert. Or that the other person isn't worthy of their time which is sad in a world when it does just take seconds
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Hank , Liked your comments. If "old school" means being respectful enough to respond politely to a submission or enquiry, then I'm proud to say that I am, and always will be, old school. Lets hope that us old-schoolers aren't a dying breed!
IMHO, communicating via the Internet is closer to standing in a room or on a street corner and asking someone something. Like, "Excuse me but can you please tell me what time it is?" Being ignored here is the equivalent of the person you're standing next to acting as if you literally don't exist ~ interesting element in a film but not so much in real life.
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@Hank, I completely agree that almost every respectful response deserves a "thank you" at the very least. A great life lesson.
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I enjoyed reading your post, Hank.
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I really enjoyed this post. For the record, if manners and politeness are "old school", then I myself want to be septuagenarian!
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@Sara, YES!!
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Sara - consider it done!