A friend invited me over for Easter dinner—featuring vegan main dishes and all.
After responding with a bunch of gratitude, I realized it wouldn’t work out because I would be out of town.
Rather than say, “Sorry, I’m gonna be out of town and can’t make it. Thanks though!”
I took a little extra time and wrote:
“Dear V,
Matt here. Writing to you this afternoon to inform you, with regret, that I will be unable to attend your, what’s sure to be off-the-effin-chain, Easter dinner gathering. I apologize for any additional forethought and work that may have gone into your thinking/preparation for this event with my vegan butt in mind. See what happened is, my vegan butt will be planted in a chair at my aunties in Philly at, more than likely, the same time you and your amazing guests will be planted in theirs in Buffalo. Flights back are out of the question because I am my mom and grandma’s chauffeur home on Monday. I hate to back out of a good time offer, but twas necessary in this case. Please accept my apology and keep me in mind for future threats of potential good times.
Thank yew.”
To be clear, I’m not recommending you reply like this to everything you need to reply to.
However, every now and again, or whenever you think to do it, it’s never a bad thing to do.
People notice the effort. They appreciate the energy. And it becomes a memory that gets talked about over and over and over again.
…All from a 5-minute investment.
And don’t think even for a second that you “don’t have that kind of time.”