Whatever Happened to Thank You Notes?

We've been interviewing candidates for a summer internship position at work in my department, but only one person followed up with a thank you email, and it was only sent to my boss; not to me and not to the other coworker in our department who's met with each applicant. This person was offered the internship and accepted it, but it behooves me why she didn't think I was worthy of a thank you email for taking the time to meet with her, particularly after I gave her my business card (major HINT) and even a package of branded goodies from the supplies closet.

To be perfectly blunt about it, this really burns my ass and pisses me off. When I was job hunting out of college, it was drummed into my head by numerous job hunting advice articles that you *always* send a thank you note to *every* person you interviewed with, and I always did, provided you really wanted the job. But even if I didn't, and the interview went well, I'd usually let them know that it wasn't a match but I'd thank them for their time. Now that I've actually been out in the working world for over 20 years, I can appreciate other people taking time out of their busy workday to meet with me even more. 

Is everyone today dumb, lazy, or both? Has technology stripped us of common sense when it comes to manners?

Now before my readers who are of Generation Y or younger get offended, let me just say that this is not a generational problem by any means. I interviewed people in their 30s and 40s (in other words, my age) who ended up working in my department who never sent me a thank you email or note; in fact, the one person who did was ironically one they didn't offer the job to.

I read some crazy ass blog post not long ago by a human resources professional who poo-pooed thank you notes and said they were a sign of kissing up and looking desperate to get the job today. That is outrageous! In my opinion it just waves a big rudeness sign. The last time I job hunted, which was five years ago, I purchased blank note cards with colorful artwork on the front, as a friend suggested it might get noticed and make me stand out from the other candidates. Although I didn't get the job, I did notice the card was proudly displayed on the hiring manager's desk when I was invited back for a second interview with some of his coworkers. So...was this sucking up and looking desperate? I think not. Also, I'd like to think in this technology heavy world that he appreciated receiving a tangible piece of paper in the mail. 

Sadly, I do think that technology has a lot to do with it. People no longer mail physical cards or letters anymore; they email. But when you can't even acknowledge a gift or an interview via email...well, I don't know what more else to say, but it's definitely a problem I've noticed lately that shows no signs of being remedied any time soon.

What do you guys think? Has anyone else experienced this?