Style - A Question of Etiquette | Ontario Training Network

Tuula’s question: “I work for an organization that often receives thank you cards and letters for our staff. Do we need to acknowledge them by sending a thank you back to the people who wrote them?”

BizWritingTip response: A while ago, I asked people to send me their pet peeves with regard to emails. The fourth greatest complaint was receiving emails that just said “thank you.”

I think your question falls into this area. Although it might be nice to receive a thank you for a thank you, I believe most people don’t want or expect it. Nor do we have time in our busy work lives to read or write this type of correspondence.

It also makes me wonder — if you did adopt this practice — would the receiver feel the need to send a “you’re welcome” note?