Thanks for the thanks

Indonesians seem to have trouble in providing feedback. For example, applying for jobs is time consuming, as is sifting through the applications. Is it asking too much for potential employers to firstly acknowledge the receipt of curriculum vitae and then to send a polite 'sorry, not this time' note to the unrequired applicants?

Another example is an outline proposal I made - on request - to an organisation which needs to be 'bailed out' from a disaster it's got itself embroiled in. I sought prior feedback from fellow 'experts' in the field and all agreed that my particular angle could well work, although it would need a very thorough feasibility study followed by an exhaustive business plan. This was implicit in my outline.

Do I even get an acknowledgement that my emailed missive has been received?

Do I f**k!

What is this pervasive culture of not saying 'no'. If the refusal is justified and given politely, then no offence is caused or rancour provoked. Not to say 'no' or to give relevant negative information is crass brown-nosing, and essentially corrupt behaviour.

It is rewarding, therefore, to have received two emails following appeals I've published.

The first one was from Fresh Air Fund who provide country holidays for city (New York) kids. I wrote about my own experiences doing something similar in London and published their appeal here.

From: Sara Wilson
To: undisclosed-recipients
Sent: Monday, July 28, 2008 5:23 AM
Subject: Fresh Air Fund - Thank You

Hi everyone,

I wanted to write you once more to express our gratitude here at the Fresh Air Fund. With all of your posts and help, we have had a tremendous amount of interest in hosting the 200 children this summer and many more interested in hosting next summer as well. I've put together this "thank you" blog with links to all of the posts we've collected.

Again, thank you so much for all of your help.

Sara

Incidentally, Sara says that they're still looking for host families, so you Americans with space in your country pied á terre, do get in touch with her.

This weekend I let Adam Rogers know that I'd posted his appeal for Osamas, which has been picked up by, among others, Friskodude.

It didn't take Adam long to reply.

From: Adam Rogers
To: Jakartass
Sent: Monday, July 28, 2008 3:31 PM
Subject: Re: Links for Osama Loves

That's Magic!

Thanks so much for such a great write-up of the project, I'll be sure to let you know how it goes!

We did a preliminary search before we came to Indonesia and have been assured that there are enough Osama's to warrant the trip. The guys landed today so we'll be able to see pretty soon if they have any luck!

Thanks again,

Adam.

So there we go. With that kind of feedback, I'm more than happy to co-operate in future appeals.

Indonesian yayasans, take note.
 

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