<p>I wonder if the new trend has anything to do with more people from different countries.</p>
<p>My parents are from another country, and they are very polite people, but growing up, I NEVER heard of doing thank you notes. I am still often surprised when I read on CC just how offended people are about not getting them. I get that this is the accepted standard here, but I would also keep in mind that some people may not be familiar with the custom, not being rude. I have met people from other cultures in college as well, who have also not done thank you notes.</p>
<p>This is just in response to what some of the posters said. Obviosuly, this probably doesn’t apply to families, who grow up in the same culture.</p>
<p>Thank you notes don’t really make sense to me. I would do them, just not to hurt people’s feelings, but as someone not familiar with them until adulthood, they really don’t make sense. I feel like a heartfelt thank you - be it in person or over the phone or even over email is more than enough. I don’t see any reason (other than custom, I suppose) to make it so formal. Overall, I see it as kind of petty to retaliate by not giving gifts for not getting thank you notes. If the person completely ignores you, maybe, but if they say thank you, just not on paper, I think it’s more than enough.</p>