DEAR MISS MANNERS: Every year, after the busiest time in our fairly small professional office, the partners give me (the office manager) a pretty substantial cash gift. I feel that I should write a thank-you note at least, to let them know that I appreciate it.
However, every example of a thank-you note that I can find indicates that I should mention what I plan on using the cash for. I don’t feel that it’s appropriate to tell the people that I work with that I plan to use it for groceries, or to pay off my car loan.
GENTLE READER: Staunch promoter of thank-you notes though she is, Miss Manners uses a different word to describe a cash payment in a professional setting, as opposed to a present given socially.
It is called a salary or, in your case, a bonus. No thank-you note is generally required, but because of the small size of the office and the bonus’s not being automatic or calculated according to previously articulated rules, you may want to send a short, handwritten note.
But unless you have reason to make the point that you need this money for groceries, you should simply express your gratitude.