Don’t forget post-holiday thank-you notes

The following column was originally published in 2013.

Dear Annie: I’m still angry about something. The day after Thanksgiving was trash pickup in my neighbourhood. Lo and behold, sticking out of my trash container was a Christmas card from my recycling collector, complete with his name and address. Two days later, I found the same type of card tucked into my newspaper from our carrier. This one included a mailing envelope. The next week, it was the garbage man. I know we should remember these people during the holidays, and I have no problem showing my appreciation. But it’s long past Christmas, and I have yet to hear any of them say “thank you” to me. Shouldn’t they? How hard is it to write the words “thank you” on the same type of card that they managed to give me in search of a tip? I’ve worked in the service industry for years and have always acknowledged a gift. Am I expecting too much? Connecticut

Dear Connecticut: Not at all. It is simply good manners to say thank you. Anyone who receives a gift, including the newspaper carrier and the trash collector, should acknowledge it either in person or by note if they expect to endear themselves to their clientele the next holiday season.

Dear Annie: I totally agree with “I Need Nice Clothes, Too.” There may be more large-sized clothes than before, but she’s right about how ugly they are. Most of them look like something you’d use to upholster a sofa. No one wants those loud colours and patterns, and some of them are covered with sequins. Here in Canada, I suspect we have less of a selection than you do in the States. Some of our biggest retailers continue to feature small departments with plus sizes and the ugliest things you’ve ever seen. It’s probably why you see plussize women wearing clothes that are too small for them.

I’m Waiting for Nice Clothes, Too Annie’s Mailbox is written by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar, longtime editors of the Ann Landers column.