A touch of class

The word class isn’t used much anymore.

It did mean knowing and appreciating the finer things in life; respectful interaction with all peoples; behaving appropriately to the occasion. And it wasn’t connected to income. My ethnic European grandparents had it despite so-called humble beginnings.

The Kardashians, Housewives of Youpickacity, the antics of Alex Baldwin and Justin Bieber are prime examples of vanishing class.

But there is one universal custom that still exhibits it: the use of fine writing paper and envelopes.

The last public person that I can recall embracing this was then Ex-President Ronald Reagan.

Remember?

Back in 1994 he wrote cursively to the country announcing his just-diagnosed Alzheimer’s disease. He bowed out from public view after that. But it left a lasting, visceral attachment to him by much of the populace.

That’s because if you grew up with writing long-hand as he did, you appreciate it as something that makes each human being unique: your handwriting style. It also takes time and effort to do. [And there is no auto spel-check either.] It has been that way for centuries.

In modern times the use of high-quality note paper and envelopes makes your request – or thank you – extra special. It physically stands out in the pile of daily USPS mail, inviting “Open me first”. It connotes importance, sincerity, without having to explain itself.

It is the antithesis of junk mail.

So I am going to send off today one of these infrequent missives which inspired this piece.

I’ve got a stash of paper and envelopes from Crane & Co. for special occasions.

I’ll bet the person on the receiving end will pull it from his stack of snail mail and invest a few extra moments contemplating what I have to say.

And in these times of fleeting attention span, that is worth the effort too.

[Credit and thanks for the Reagan letter image is given to:

http://media.tumblr.com/68833eb9de37d1274adfeae79d7db556/tumblr_inline_mubbuqhOu71qz99fl.png ]