{ just another manners MONDAY } HOW NOT TO NOTE

As a woman in the south where tradition lives strong, there are several books on etiquette & social graces that I believe have a place in the library of every young man & woman. (I'll save that library list for another blog.)

One of those books is Margaret Shepherd's "The Art of the Handwritten note - A Guide to Reclaiming Civilized Communication". Use this book as a refresher course or Note Writing 101 for a rookie correspondent. The "seven deadly sins" as Shepherd calls them are just the beginning...but a very good place to start...

1. Do not write with a pencil or use notebook paper.
2. Do not cross out & correct more than 2 errors per page.
3. Stationery can be printed with "Thank You", but it's not required.
4. Do not apologize for a tardy note in the first line.
5. Do not misspell the recipient's name.
6. Do not open or attempt to read someone else's mail.
7. Do not mail a letter written in anger.

The handwritten note - a lost art? Let's hope not.

With all of our emailing, texting & twittering I fear we're headed for a completely impersonal society. Just imagine a community of people who no longer look each other in the eyes to share an exchange of words. Imagine a school where our children no longer learn to write in cursive & the quintessential stationer Crane goes out of business (gasp!).

So please, in an attempt to save our society, one social exchange at a time, write a note. Take 5 minutes out of your hectic twittering-texting life, sit down with a pen (see #1 above) and write a short note to a deserving pal. Say "thanks for hosting dinner last weekend" or "sorry my dog ate your newly planted begonias". Whatever the message may be, make it sincere. And for goodness' sake, don't spell the poor reader's name wrong!

Need some stationery inspiration? Check out Crane's semi-annual sale and stock up! My fav is the wasabi notecard with it's chic envelope lining.