THE MODERN GENTLEMAN'S GUIDE TO THANK YOU POST CARDS

Example 2. At the Modern Gentleman's birthday party this year, he met the most wonderful young woman. Through the magic of the internet he was able to discover, the next day, that the gorgeous woman he had spoken with all night was also a brilliant writer and a battle-tested model. The wonderful thing about a Thank-You note is that it's a wonderful surprise every time. The Modern Gentleman knew that he would have a fabulous time with this woman...

We had dinner at The Modern, which is the bar in the MOMA where The Modern Gentleman goes when Jackson Pollack makes him hungry. We were greeted warmly by the maitre d' and the chef came out from the kitchen to let us try his latest dish.

The Modern Gentleman knew he would have an unutterably wonderful time with this creature. But wouldn't she have a great time with just about any man in a sport coat? What, if anything, could assure this creature that the Modern Gentleman was a man of serious taste, passion and exactitude?

While the lady was fixing her make up after the meal, the Modern Gentleman slipped a note in her purse (I would, of course, have just kept the note if she weren't the wonderful woman I thought she would be).

"Thank you for such a lovely evening on Sunday. You were radiant company and it was the perfect end to a wonderful weekend. Meet me in Paris and we'll do this full time." And I left my telephone number.

Suddenly her calendar started to free up and her other suitors disappeared. And therein lies the power of the thank-you note...