Tech Etiquette: Is it OK to Type Thank-You Notes?

Whenever there's a wave of support for new technology, it seems that there's also plenty of vocal dissenters. People who argue that we're losing something—from romanticism to our collective intelligence—by buying in to fancy gadgets. But since it's easier for you to write (and more legible for your friends to read), is it ever OK to type out thank you notes? One etiquette expert weighs in.

Sure, a Mad-Libs-style mail merge would be way easier than addressing thank-you cards to every guest at your wedding. But when it comes to heartfelt messages (like "Thank You"s and "I'm Sorry"s), it's important to put genuine effort in.

Julie Rottenberg, a writer and the etiquette expert in this month's issue of Real Simple, had this to say in her column:

Yes, it may take more effort to make your chicken scratch legible. Yes, you may have to throw away several cards in the process. Still, handwritten words are a uniquely thoughtful gesture; even before the recipient reads what you wrote, she'll get the message that you care.

What do you think, readers? Is it important to send handwritten thank-you notes? Are there occasions when an email note will do? Is your handwriting so terrible that you always type? Let us know in the comments!

(Images: Living Through The Lens under license from Creative Commons, Lapideo under license from Creative Commons)

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Comments (15)

I think typing a thank-you note is totally fine.

Possibly a way to mash-up the two is by typing them on an old typewriter. Something about the retro feel of the print as well as the imperfections in the letters could make it feel less "mechanical."

I think a hand written thank you note is definitely more appropriate - I think it shows you have taken the time.

However, in today's age of fast paced hires/fires - sometimes an email is the quickest way to say thank you before they make their decision.

I think typing is okay (better than nothing), as long as it's obvious that it was written specifically for the thank-ee, and not just a form letter with one or two parts changed. But I do prefer receiving a handwritten note.

I'm a busy person and so are my friends. I actually prefer a quick text or email. It's the thought that counts. I don't want a handwritten thank you, 'cause I feel bad when I want to toss it! Lol

I'm about to write "thank yous" to folks who I received wedding gifts from. We're planning on typing custom greeting for each gift giver in the text box of a card that we're designing. The sentiment will be both unique (no form letter) and LEGIBLE. I rarely write anymore, and can barely read my own handwriting. We'll sign each card though.

It bums me out that people see this as lazy. It's going to require more from us than riding over to Target and picking up cards that we'd write write the greeting in.

I used to have bad handwriting----since my wife has made me handwrite all thank you cards its gotten much better. Now, I actually think it looks kind of stylie which makes it more fun. Get a good pen and have fun being stylie

I think it can still be polite to type a thank you if you do 2 things as mentioned above 1) Clearly customize it to the person and 2) sign it by hand, not just your name, but the end script as well.

Thant being said, I've always been much more touched by handwritten notes. My sister sends them out like a forgotten art form, and even while trying to decipher the worst handwriting I've felt very connected to the person who wrote their thank you note. It's not just showing you care to take the time, your handwriting shows your personality like nothing else can.

I like to send a nice e-card. It's the best of both worlds.

The key to happiness in life is to tell Etiquette Experts to get bent.

Seriously, how hard is it to write "Dear So & So, thank you so much for your kindness & for the blanket. I know Sara will enjoy it for many years. With thanks, Belinda"

It takes more energy to turn on my computer & printer.

I agree with skeemer. I always keep a stack of thank you notes in my desk and have no issue taking the 5 minutes to jot down a note and pop it in the mailbox. When I know I'm down to my last card I go buy more. It's not that difficult to send something that has a more personal touch.

I think it depends on who you're sending the note to. Know your audience and their demographic, and when in doubt, hand written is probably best.

I'm in my mid 20s and I would have no problem receiving typed thank you notes. Actually, I don't even care if I get thank you notes, esp. if it's for gifts that were opened in my presence and I was given verbal thank you's (like at baby showers).

However, I think people from the older generations (maybe people in their 60s and up right now) expect hand written thank you notes and most would consider it rude to type on up or to email them one. It's just how they were raised. My mom is in her early 50s and while she appreciates a hand written note, I don't think she'd be offended by a typed one.

You just need to know the personality & attitude of who you're sending it to and if you don't, be on the safe side and write it.

I think it's okay but if you're going to do this, why not just send them an email instead, it doesn't sound very personal but that's the point, a typed thank you message wouldn't sound any more personal either.

If you're going to put the effort into it, then write your thank you notes, in my opinion anyways.

As someone who's writing thank you notes mainly for job interviews at the moment, it is ESSENTIAL to e-mail them. I make sure to say something very thoughtful and spend maybe even 20-30 minutes deciding what to say, but I need those potential employers to receive the note within hours of my interview for it to make any impact on their decision.

That said, I'm getting married next year, and I will certainly hand write all of the wedding thank you notes. There's a big distinction between professional thank yous and personal thank yous. It really depends on the context.