Opinion: A Little More “Thank You,” Please

In an age of instant everything—instant messaging, instant delivery, instant gratification—it seems we’ve lost something essential along the way: the simple art of saying “thank you.”

Remember sending a gift through the mail and waiting—hoping—for a response that never comes? No call, no card, no text. Just radio silence. You start to wonder: Did it arrive? Did they like it? Did it end up in the neighbor’s bushes? Eventually, you have to ask, awkwardly, “Hey, did you get the gift?” Cue the casual, “Oh yeah, thanks, that was nice.”

It stings, especially when the gift was thoughtful, sent with love, or meant to connect across distance—like birthday presents for grandchildren, holiday boxes for nieces and nephews, or tokens of appreciation to friends.

It’s not about needing a gold-embossed, handwritten letter (though hey, that’d be nice). A quick text or email does the job. It’s not about formality—it’s about gratitude. The acknowledgment. The kindness. The humanity.

Gratefulness matters. Not just as a nicety, but as a way of grounding ourselves. Life throws curveballs, large and small—illness, loss, burned toast, a broken laptop, an uncomfortable hotel pillow. Gratitude doesn’t erase the hard stuff, but it balances it. It reminds us we’re still standing. Still lucky in many ways.

And if someone goes out of their way—whether it’s sending a gift, holding a door, or offering help—acknowledging it matters. Saying “thank you” doesn’t cost a thing, but it says everything. It says: I see you. I appreciate you. I’m not taking this moment for granted.

So yes, let’s teach our kids and grandkids to say thank you. Let’s model it ourselves—in business, in friendship, in life. Because gratitude is not old-fashioned. It’s timeless.

And if you’re reading this and thinking, “Oops, I never thanked Aunt Marge for that cozy blanket,” there’s still time. Hit send. Pick up the phone. Drop a line. It’s never too late to say thanks.

Let’s not lose this beautiful habit to the pace of modern life. Let’s be a little more grateful. And for goodness’ sake, say thank you.

Wendy Kushel is the owner of Wendala’s LowCountry Sugar Scrub, LLC based in Bluffton, SC. Drawn to the Beauty & Personal Care Industry Wendy founded her company in 2020. Her background includes stand-up comedy, film, TV and a lot of sales and marketing. For more information about Wendala’s® LowCountry Sugar Scrub visit www.lowcountrysugarscrub.com or call/text 843-949-8933.