A Simple Thank-You Note

[justadub]

Very good stuff, JAM. I agree completely.

I'm in the retail business, and nothing burns my toast more than making a purchase somewhere and not getting a basic "thank you" from the clerk, teller, sales person, waiter... whomever. Going through a drive thru for coffee or fast food, it rarely happens. And of course, when I don't get a thank you, I look at them and say "Your Welcome" as I drive off. Hopefully loud enough that other employees can hear it.

Thank you, JAM. For all the things you do here.

 

[JAM]

Well, I'm starting to feel better about pool in general after reading some of the posts in this thread. THANK YOU to each and every one of you who took the time to contribute your thoughts to this topic.

I used to be more active in the pool world than I am today, but I still try to contribute what I can, whether it's money or my time. Sometimes my contributions are recognized, which always adds a little joy to my life, but I have also been disappointed.

They say you should not give and expect something return. When a person does something for an entity out of goodwill, it should be done with no strings attached. Some of the multimillionaires I listened to stated that they often give with the caveat of doing so anonymously. Their reasons vary as to why.

Spending an hour with a child on the pool table, showing them how to hold a cue, has been one way of giving that I have always enjoyed watching. To see the glee on a child's face after they pocket a ball is heartwarming.

The coupon strategy is a good one. I would like to see a sponsored pro player take the bull by the horns and do it.

If you enjoy a tournament sponsored by an industry member or enjoy a sponsored pro's performance at the event, let the industry member know. This costs nothing to send a thank-you note or e-mail to the industry sponsor. Some of them have Facebook pages, and in less than 30 seconds, depending on how fast you type, you can drop them a one-liner of thanks. We need these industry sponsors to support pool.

Money is not the only way to give in this pool world. There are many things a lot of us can do that might make a difference. Saying those two simple words -- THANK YOU -- is one way to give.

 

[Maniac]

Spending an hour with a child on the pool table, showing them how to hold a cue, has been one way of giving that I have always enjoyed watching. To see the glee on a child's face after they pocket a ball is heartwarming.

Your heart would have been "warmed" if you would have been at my house yesterday when my eight-year-old grandson took the "Pop's Place" bragging rights home with him after whipping me two straight games of 8-ball (I was giving him MUCH weight, really ). All of my grandchildren learn the game as soon as they are tall enough to see over the rails (they stand on a milk crate in the early stages :thumbup The oldest grandchild, a boy, shows the least interest because he had rather play video games (where have we heard that one before?), but he will pop a few balls around every once in a while. My oldest granddaughter (age 12) shows the most interest. If they lived closer and came over more, I'd have the whole lot (I have 6 grandchildren) playing jam-up pool someday.

JAM, I'd personally like to thank you for all your thoughtful AND insightful contributions you make here on AzB! You are one of my favorite people on here (see, I told you I'd try to improve :smile!!!

Maniac

 

[Kickin' Chicken]

JAM;

I always try to be a good az soldier that when I'm fortunate to be at a noteworthy event, I'm happy to share my firsthand account with my friends here.

I can recall specifically, you thanking me on many of these threads, and I will say that, absolutely, it does make a BIG difference.

When people appreciate hearing (reading) about a pool related event that they didn't attend, and acknowledge it by giving their sincere thanks, it not only gives the person whe made the effort to share a good feeling, but it also provides them an incentive to continue doing the same.

And, yes, I agree with all who have said, this courtesy is something that should start with our parents teaching us to say "please" and "thank you".

Thanks for posting this nice thread. :smile:

Best,
Brian kc

 

[pt109]

Thanx JAM...I think

...sins of omission...hard to get away from.
Countless times I've wished I'd been more thoughtful.
So thanx for the wake-up call, again.

And I'd like to thank everyone on AZ for their involvement.
As an anonymous poster, I like the way words seem to be
closer to their true meaning...without the power of personality....
good or bad....I have a fondness for words...been a reader since
childhood...I like the way authors have to convince you with words
rather than physical charm.

..if sins of omission were a felony, I'd be doing life.
regards
pt..<..who just realized he IS doing life

 

[JAM]

My spirits were lifted today when I received a thank-you note from Jeff Gregory. I had never met him, but I read about him on this forum.

Jeff Gregory's friends hosted a pool tournament in his honor to help him get through a horrible medical ordeal. They were raising funds to help with his medical expenses, though I'm sure it was just a drop in the bucket for what Jeff Gregory was up against. The comaraderie was heart-warming to see the pool world pull together and help one of their own. :smiling-heart:

That said, the pool tournament went forward, and funds came in. I sent a small contribution and today received this beautiful thank-you note.

It looks like Jeff is making progress. Receiving thanks from Jeff really made my day, the fact that he took the time out of his life to send me this note. Look at the cute little pool guy with a hat shooting a ball. :smile:

Those two words sure can make a difference!

 

[Maniac]

Those two words sure can make a difference!

There is actually THREE words in that note that will make a BIGGER difference, and they are.........

God Bless You!!!

Maniac (believes in the Man upstairs!!!)

 

[JAMSGOLF]

I know this thread was started by the OP with regards to "multi-million" dollar transactions referenced...but any chance I get, I like to point out one individual who floored me when I read his thread.

AZ member pooldawg8 (Jeff) sells milk dud pool tips in the Wanted/For Sale section for $3 a tip (shipping included). After supplies, gas, shipping and time he is likely making $0.12 for each tip sold (that's just an assumption). His tips are one of the best single layered tips I've ever played and he has numerous positive comments about his tips.

The thing that floored me while reading the thread (and he does the same in PM's as well), is that Jeff makes a point of thanking people publicly for their purchases as well as their positive comments...

HE THANKS PEOPLE FOR A "PROFIT" OF LESS THAN A DOLLAR!!!

So, thanks to JAM for starting this thread...thanks to all AZ'ers who post the wonderful stories I enjoy reading on a daily basis...and thanks to pooldawg8 who originally reminded me of the lesson that VAST majority of us learned as kids - but somehow conveniently forgot along the way - to say "thank you"...

Jason

 

[JoeyA]

After attending this retreat and listening to the colloquy, I am definitely going to make an attempt to improve in this area. I had not realized how important something this simple could mean to a potential sponsor!

I will make improvements in this area as well. Thanks for the heads-up.

 

[mantis99]

Great post. I need to remember this in the future.

 

[JAM]

I will make improvements in this area as well. Thanks for the heads-up.

It really did lift my spirits yesterday, and it reinforces my faith in helping others. To give is a lot better than to receive, IMO. It took me a long time to learn this.

I usually donate about 500 bucks each year to various pool causes. Sometimes it might be something as small as helping somebody attend a pool tournament overseas.

When the recipients don't respond, yet I see they cashed the check, it does give me pause a little bit. Those that do respond, well, that makes a big difference, just like those rich philanthropists were expressing in my original post to this thread.

Maybe if people did send thank-you notes or e-mails more often to pool industry sponsors, it could make a difference. Food for thought! :smile: