CBS Evening News - On the Road: The lost art of thank you notes

As part of our continuing series "On the Road," Steve Hartman learns how putting pen to paper and sending thank you notes can improve your personal life.

[@bophreyhumgart2953]

I'm writing this in 2020. I live outside the U.S. and 10 years ago my sister came to visit me. I don't drive here, so we depended on a particular gypsy taxi driver to take us places. At the end of her visit, she asked me, "What can we do to show him our appreciation for always being available to take us where we wanted to go and sometimes waiting for us?" I said, "You mean, besides a tip (taxi drivers are normally tipped here.). Let's write him a note! I wrote the note in his language and we both signed it. Ten years later he still has the note on his sun visor and mentions that to me when he sees me. Sure, writing notes is "old-fashioned," but what an easy way it is to show appreciate toward someone, not to mention low cost.

[@georgiaborn1173]

Thank you Steve! I enjoy your "on the road", your humor and genuine concern for others, it makes my day.

[@patminard2015]

I never expected a surprise ending. Very nice and charming "report". Thanks (no hardcopy to follow!)

[@marilynbunte9782]

I fully believe in writing thank you notes!!

[@terrikukla5017]

Thank you for your wonderful stories.

[@sharyn7454]

I agree with Byron. Thank you notes are personal.

[@robincourtney9459]

This is hilarious!!! Steve Hartman wrote a thank you on some other person's personal stationary!! 😁

[@junfa12]

You all that comment have no idea. Writing a thank you note is so important. Do good not hate.

[@Magazinelady]

Baby steps, Steve! I hope you have your own stationary and have continued to write thank you notes!

[@samanthab1923]

There's something to be said about having gratitude 😀

[@gracetaylor4429]

I always send thank you notes! I’m a dork

[@themontephone875]

Lolololololol! Oh, Steve...?Byron? You left a scat. Lol Precious.

[@user-vm5ud4xw6n]

I hope you’ve changed your mind about thank you notes all these years later Steve! I write them all the time. I’m with your “Boy Scout” friend Byron. And the gentleman you interviewed. Although I prefer a pretty note card rather then something that just says thank you on the front. They are getting harder to find. Tuesday Morning used to be a great source but it’s touch and go any more!

[@radiodj1520]

I Believe This Was A Video Clip Of CBS News' CBS Evening News With Scott Pelley's On The Road With Steve Hartman Report On The Lost Art Of Thank You Notes On Friday Evening, December 30, 2011.

[@themontephone875]

Erik Stone . Huh? You missed the point.

[@meggrotte3081]

wow, he heard God.

[@n3wt]

1:10 damn steve must do alot of coke

[@n3wt]

why is he talking like that

[@BowWowVideo]

You should always send thank you notes. My clients have made a big deal about receiving them and when I get one regarding a business deal, it shows enough about character in order to seal the deal.