By Theresa Novak
Opinion page editor, Corvallis Gazette-Times | Posted: Sunday, March 11, 2007 12:00 am
A woman recently called and left an anonymous voice mail for me, expressing her displeasure - in a very cultured way - over my off-handed reference to people who correspond via the post as "a dying breed."
"I didn't like being called a 'dying breed,'" she said. She was so put out that she called back a few minutes later to leave a second message. Sounding almost triumphant, she said:
"You know what else is a dying breed? People who take a daily newspaper, that's who!"
Well, talk about wounding me twice! I resemble that remark.
As I write this column, three boxes of quality stationery are within my reach. Each box includes various commemorative stamps - (flowers, Cary Grant and comic Super Heroes).
I send thank-you notes (almost always) when I receive a gift or when I have been a guest in someone's home. I don't do it to be virtuous, I just enjoy it, almost as much as I do receiving notes. A hand-written note is unrivaled for expressing sincere thanks, affection or remorse.
My angry caller and I both are among the dwindling (not dying … nope, not saying that again) number of traditionalists who write letters and notes. Many others have given it up, particularly those younger than 40.
Too bad, but that's reality, and the reason is a mouse click away. The Internet has so taken over the role of correspondence that paper-based industries such as greeting card companies and yes … newspapers … are moving their products online to stay in business.
According to Google Research, only 21 percent of American households did not own a computer in 2003. A Pew Research Center study found that women older than 50 are the ones most likely to be among those who simply refuse to use computers.
I use a computer every day, and I love it. For all its faults, it speeds getting information that once took days to obtain. But my angry caller and I are kindred spirits when it comes to love of the process of writing, of the personal touch of giving someone a hand-written note on pretty paper in a fine hand; of sending it in an envelope sealed with scented wax.
If I had her address, I would send this lady a note to say just that. I'm sure we could make amends. We dying breeds ought to stand together.
Theresa Novak is the opinion page editor at the Corvallis Gazette-Times. An audio version of this column is available at gazettetimes.com under the "GT to Go" podcast link.