Dear Annie: I would like to respond to relatives who are upset when they are not thanked for giving children/teens gifts. Just tell them how you feel! When I was growing up, my grandmother was a loving but stern influence in my life and I now appreciate all the lessons she taught me. She always gifted us $20 each birthday in brand-new, crisp $1 bills that she specially requested at the bank.
I clearly remember one time when my sister and I as teenagers had gotten lazy about writing her thank-you cards. She sat us down and let us know that when someone gives you a gift, you hurt their feelings by not thanking them or sending a card. We were of course embarrassed, but it was an amazing lesson to learn.
In the 30 years since, I still go out of my way to make sure I thank gift givers because of this conversation. A text at least, or a phone call. I don’t think a written card is always necessary depending on your relationship to the giver, but it sure can’t hurt!
-- Teen Who Is Now a Thankful Adult
Dear Thankful: What a great letter. That is wonderful advice for the grandparents just to be honest and tell their grandchildren how they feel.
Dear Annie: You printed “Thoughts from Ireland,” about the generous benefits that workers there have compared with those in the United States. I witnessed the same thing when we visited relatives in the U.K. 35 years ago. It was explained to me that companies hire enough employees to have coverage when workers are off for vacations or sick leave. They rotate the “floating” workers, who are trained to cover all types of work. Everyone has generous vacation time, but those with high-stress jobs, especially in direct care, have extra time off for their mental health.
We found this quite interesting because we had worked in a field where, when we returned from our “vacation,” our work that came in while we were gone would be waiting for us. Only emergencies were handled, which put extra work on co-workers already handling their own work.
It would be great to have companies here follow some progressive practices for the mental health of the workers. Their system results in more people employed and a happier, more productive workforce. Too bad our corporations and employers cannot grasp that.
-- Thoughts from the U.S.
Dear Thoughts from the U.S.: Most companies in the United States grasp what you are saying and offer generous benefits to their workers. You can compare our economic system with other systems, and I believe the American free enterprise system is best, certainly in terms of raising the overall standard of living. But thank you for your input.