Thanks Very Much For Reading This . . . in Advance!
Here’s an expression I love: “Thank you in advance.”
It’s great because you say it assuming the person is going to do what you’ve asked them to do. In fact, by saying it, you infer that if the person doesn’t do what you’ve asked, then they should somehow feel a twinge of regret or guilt. As if what you’re asking isn’t that much of a burden and won’t take up too much of their time.
In many instances, you don’t even wait for them to answer. This is especially the case if you’re writing a letter . . . because how are they going to answer? With another letter?
“I know you’re going to do this, because I’m me and you’re you, so . . . thanks in advance.”
It’s almost as if they should feel grateful that you took the time to thank them in advance. After all, they should be happy you thanked them at all! I mean really, the unmitigated gall! What? Do they believe they deserve something MORE? What is the matter with people these days?
Um, sorry about that. I kind of got carried away. Please forgive me.
I thank you in advance.
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Think About This:
“If you wait to do everything until you’re sure it’s right, you’ll probably never do much of anything.”
Win Borden, author (1943 – present)
I’m appreciating the anticipation and faith it must take to thank someone in advance for anything. But, how do you account for the variables involved? And what are the reprocutions of unfullfilment of the expectation? I mean, what are the social guidlines for an unearned thank you…
I’m feeling a Seinfeld episode in the making!!! Not that there’s anything wrong with that!!!