The times are always changing and while technological advancement and economic growth have made our lives easier in many respects, it’s had an undeniable effect on the way we interact with the world around us. Communication has become faster and human interaction more casual as social media becomes seamlessly integrated with our offline lives. Although some things our grandparents did may seem old fashioned now, it may be worth revisiting certain social traditions. After all, there’s a reason they became popular in the first place – it makes people feel good and appreciated. Wildcatters are generous hosts and grateful guests; they respect everyone and make others feel important. Just because there’s an app for something, doesn’t mean you have to use it! Thoughtful and purposeful gestures may take a bit more effort and planning on your part, but they won’t go unnoticed! Take a look at the following customs we’d like to bring back:
1. Sending Thank You Notes…For Everything!
Sending a handwritten thank you note may seem like a small a gesture, but it’s a great way to show gratitude and can be used in just about any situation. Attend a cool party? Have a great interview? Send a thank you note acknowledging the hard work that went into it. In the days when our mailboxes are full of only bills and ads, coming home to find an unexpected personal note in the mail is a special feeling.
2. Call People on Their Birthday
As nice as it feels to have our social media notifications light up on our birthdays, a short phone call is a great opportunity to catch up with friends who live far away. Let your friends and loved ones know that you are thinking about them by taking a few short minutes out of your busy day to send some love.
3. Hosting Dinner Parties at Home
While formal, sit-down dinner parties have been falling out of fashion for some time now, there are countless ways to modernize this popular tradition according to your particular preferences and needs. It may be easier to skip the clean up or more enticing to go out and try that new restaurant, but hosting a dinner party at your home can be a rewarding experience and a fun way to bring friends together.
4. Handwritten Letters
There are certainly faster means of communication, but nothing quite so personal as a handwritten letter delivered by snail mail. It takes time to craft a well thought out letter and effort to write it out by hand, but it shows how important the recipient is in your life. A quick note to a friend around the anniversary of a fun trip to reminisce on fun times, a passionate love letter to your longtime spouse to rekindle the romance, or a heartfelt missive to your mother detailing all the reasons you appreciate her to show your unending gratitude — any reason at all!
5. Get to Know Your Neighbors
Being a good neighbor and having a positive impact on the community are trademark characteristics of Wildcatters, who have an uncanny ability of seeing the potential in certain people and relationships that may not be immediately obvious to others. You don’t have to be best friends with everyone on the block, but getting to know your neighbors can be an invaluable experience. Add them to your Christmas card list and send over homemade treats every once in awhile to keep the communication open and congenial without being too invasive.
6. Punctuality
While it may seem in trend to arrive to social events “fashionably late,” showing up on time to a scheduled appointment, event, or other social occasion is a small yet extremely important thing you can do to show your respect and appreciation. In fact, it may even be better to err on the side of caution and arrive a few minutes early, giving you time to acknowledge the host before jumping right into the festivities. Worst case scenario? The hosts aren’t quite ready yet BUT you’ll be able to show your appreciation further by helping out with the finishing touches, a win-win!
7. Dressing Up on Airplanes
You don’t have to wear a suit and tie, but you also shouldn’t be wearing pajamas to the airport. We all want to feel comfortable during long journeys and stressful travel conditions, but putting a little effort into your appearance shows everyone that you are serious and respectful. With all the advancements in technology, it’s easy to forget the miracle of flying…..
8. Host/Hostess Gifts
It’s good rule of thumb that you should never show up to a party empty handed. Whether it’s a friend’s birthday party or a colleague’s dinner party, it’s nice to show you appreciate being invited and all the hard work that went into planning. Bake some fresh cookies or just pick up a bottle of booze or a bouquet of flowers on the way to the party for an easy fix and meaningful gesture.