Thank the Deserving People, including Media FIRST during Vote of Thanks!
Make it a habit to tell people thank you. To express your appreciation sincerely and without the expectation of anything in return. Truly appreciate those around you, and you’ll soon find many others around you. Saying thank you is more than good manners. It is good spirituality. It is in recognition of humanity. Truly appreciate life, and you’ll find that you have more of it- Ralph Marston
Gratitude is the best attitude. There is not a more pleasing exercise of the mind than gratitude. It is accompanied with such an inward satisfaction that the duty is sufficiently rewarded by the performance. Gratitude is when memory is stored in the heart and not in the mind. The smallest act of kindness is worth more than the grandest intention – Joseph Adisson
Mangaluru: I want to let others know that we reporters/media people are doing a favor to you in covering your events, thereby spreading the message/news throughout the world- and in response a small thank you or a kind appreciation from your side will mean a lot to us. But the sad part is that, as I have experienced, not many reciprocate our service with words of wisdom or gratitude. Once I did a nice coverage for a Catholic institute while their new chapel was being built, and through my coverage on www.mangalorean.com website, they even got couple of donations for their project. In return, forget about a thank you note, the Fr. Director of the institute didn’t even cared to invite me for the inaugural ceremony of the Chapel- he remembered to call the builders, entrepreneurs, rich guys and others, except a common reporter like me who also had played an important role. How nice?
One thing that I have noticed among Mangaloreans is that hardly anyone says the golden words “Thank You”, for a favor they received. It’s always nice to spend a moment reflecting on the acts of kindness of people around you. Did a friend help you out during your final exams? Did a stranger save your life when you were stuck in flood waters? Did a good Samaritan help you take you to the hospital when you met with an accident? Etc Etc Now, recall how you expressed your gratitude to them. Did you say, “thank you?” Did you appreciate their kind gesture towards you? Did your words communicate your sincerity? Did your appreciation touch some ones heart?,
“Gratitude is the memory of the heart.” Indeed, appreciation comes when you feel grateful from the depths of your heart. The head keeps an account of all the benefits you received and gave. But the heart records the feelings of appreciation, humility, and generosity that one feels when someone showers you with kindness. Even a small act of kindness deserves a ‘thanks.’ You cannot weigh the nobility of the act against intentions to decide whether or not to show your gratitude. So what if your friend helped you get a job only because he wanted you to return the favor? So what if you think that he could have helped you get a better job? It is your moral obligation to express gratitude. In the words of Alfred Painter, ” Saying thank you is more than good manners. It is good spirituality.
It’s true that media people don’t expect anything in returns for the news coverage or publicity they give, but at least a small “Thank You” from people they obliged, through a phone call, or through a much easier way like a email or SMS will go a long way in satisfying or pleasing the media personnel- a small gratitude/thank you will mean a lot to us. But it’s not happening around here. Before a function/event takes place, we get all kind of reminders of the event, timing etc from the organizers, even they will arrange transportation – but once the event/ publicity of event is given no member of the event organizing committee has the courtesy to appreciate/thank you for the coverage given. Similar is the case, when many a times when I had interviewed and given wide publicity to individuals on www.mangalorean.com website, ranging from movie stars, athletes, entrepreneurs etc- sad to tell you none of them reciprocate with words of wisdom or a small thank you. These folks are all educated people, but when it comes to manners, they are all zero.
Also have you noticed, during the vote of thanks, the media personnel are thanked lastly, while the sound guy, lighting or decorating people, musicians, event management crew, etc-why even bother to thank these people- these folks have given you service after being paid enormously. They should thank the organizers for giving them business, and not organizers thanking them- sheer waste of audience time. On the other hand, media people who have rendered their free service are always thanked at the end, with a small note.
In conclusion, all I have to say is that, “Sometimes, you cannot repay the debt of gratitude. You simply have to acknowledge the generous act with a humble heart. You can say “thanks” or even present a gift of appreciation, but your tokens of love cannot measure up to the kindness you received. If you have been touched by some one’s generosity, you can do a good turn to another. Your words of appreciation should emerge from the depth of your heart. Your body language should communicate your heartfelt gratitude. A smile can communicate gratitude, so can a nod. In some cultures, people express their thanks with folded hands as if in prayer. Speak with humility, and love, and you will win hearts. Remind others about the importance of expressing gratitude. A word of appreciation can have far-reaching effect. As a media person I don’t expect expensive gifts, but a small gratitude/thank you will mean a lot to me, probably other media people too, for the free service we provide. Thank You! Thank You!