1. The verbal thank you
Your mother's right: always say "Please" and "Thank you." In most situations where someone has just helped you out, with no great inconvenience to them, a verbal thanks is appropriate. Also, if you were paid a favour which you know you will soon repay in kind – say another parent walked your daughter home after her play date with their child, and you'll do the same next week – a simple, "Thanks a bunch!" is all that's needed.
2. The e-mail thank you
While still on the casual end of the continuum, a short e-mail thanking someone for his or her thoughtfulness will be appreciated. An office admin assistant went out of their way to courier a behemoth of a file to your home so it would be waiting on your porch instead of loading down your bag on the subway commute home? Fellow parent committee member brought the refreshments even though the meeting was being hosted at your house? Drop them a virtual line. When won't it be appreciated? When the person in question just gave you a lovely gift or did something that actually put them out a bit – for that, a "hard copy" Thanks is required.
Tip: E-Cards offer are a more animated way to send thanks. But there's a chance it could get caught in your recipient's junk filter.
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