"Thank you"

Graciousness is a lost art. So many people in this age feel they are entitled. To anything and everything. They walk around with this air of 'you owe me.'

This weekend, I experienced a graciousness so deep, it equals most people's sense of entitlement.

I went to Lake Tahoe to see Big Bad Voodoo Daddy. These men have been at it for over 10 years. But after every single show, they do a meet-&-greet. To say 'thank you.'

They have somehow ingrained in their consciousness that what they do depends largely on the fans who support them. Every person who waits (sometimes not very patiently - ah, that sense of entitlement rears it's ugly head again) gets a heartfelt 'thank you so much for coming.' My dear friend and roommate, who has known the band for years, always gets a sincere 'thank you.' She's told them there's no way they could stop her from coming now, but they are always grateful to her for the effort of showing up.

Their gratitude is staggering. Even to the drunks, and the women trying to 'hook up' (often these are the same people). A warm smile and a 'thank you for coming,' as the band members gently extricate themselves from the uncomfortable attentions of these inebriates and would-be groupies.

I like to think these men were raised properly, and I’ll bet they were. But I also think they understand the value of sincerity and graciousness. It makes me want to make that drive again, just to hear them say ‘thank you.’