Rael writes about receiving a hand-written note:
In today’s post arrived a shiny copper-coloured envelope of the sort I’m always seeing in stationary shop windows and admiring in a “email’s not that pretty” kind of way. I’ve often wondered about the kind of person who might keep up the art of letter-writing, something you just don’t come across in my fields of work and play. The lettering on the envelope was done with a careful hand in neat black block letters. About the only writing I’m caught doing is Graffiti on glass, where handwriting counts only insofar as conveyance of digitizable information. Inside was a friendly hand-written note on pleasingly rhomboid paper. At the bottom, an honest-to-goodness signature. The contents of the note, a simple thank-you.
I propped the envelope up on my desk–I’m not known for keeping paper about for a second longer than is absolutely necessary, books aside–and noticed my eye returning to it throughout the day.
In my younger days, I was a terrible letter-writer. I hated to do it, and so only very rarely did; usually under duress. As computers became available, and then e-mail I rejoiced in not having to ever set pen to paper again. For years, I hardly ever wrote even a simple list on paper, let alone a note or letter.
Several months ago, though, after leaving iRobotics and I started to spend more time networking with people, I began to write notes again. I knew it would be more effective to send a hand-written note than to send an e-mailed thank you, so I started doing that. Strangely, I found I really enjoyed doing it. Even more, I enjoyed selecting the fine papers, cards and envelopes. I enjoyed the feel of a fine pen in my hands as I was writing.
These days, I send several notes or cards each week. Since starting my career as a Realtor, I’d guess I’ve sent close to 150 hand written notes - an average of nearly one a day. I found that not only do I enjoy it, but people enjoy receiving them. Like a fine analog watch, or a well crafted fountain pen, there’s something about a hand-written note on fine paper or a nice card that speaks of a higher degree of consideration, thoughtfulness, and attention to detail than any e-mail ever seems to.
