He’s an alum from your B-school… I wouldn’t find anything wrong with this at all even the “u” because again he’s an alum and by that you’re already close to being friends in some regard.
I have received plenty of thank you texts and phone calls. When I am doing something casual like drinks after work because somebody wants my help/opinion it is usually a buddy or at the very least a former colleague or actual classmate of mine. For them, text is totally appropriate because that is how we communicate normall. I have received job interview invitations via text too. Call me a douche, but I don’t respond to the new grads or people that send me messages via CFA or Linkedin. The only thank you emails I get are when I formally interview somebody or my gf refers one of her prospects to me.
I think you are reading too much into this. If you have shared texts in the past then it should not be an issue. However; if this was the first time he texted you and and it was a thank you note then I have a ‘slight’ issue. Usually I ask people if its okay to text them before doing so. (In case the person doesn’t have a texting plan…)
We actually didn’t know each other and I would never categorically consider someone my “friend,” even there was a simple association such as going to the same school. Anyway, to be clear I’m not reading much of anything into this, just wondering if this is now the standard du jour. I don’t expect anything out of this guy and for all practical purposes he doesn’t owe me anything either, though I would have expected more from someone that had asked to access my time/personal rolodex than a follow-up with an oddly crafted text message (expression of gratitude notwithstanding).
You should just reply: “I h8 u”
It’s almost 2013, texting is fine. “u” is way too casual though even for a fellow alum.
LOL
I actually agree with you Numi. He may be a great person, and intelligent as an academic, but I would take it as an indicator of his professional wherewithal. It doesn’t reflect too well on his judgement. The phrasing of the text is ridiculously casual. I really don’t think there’s any legitimate reason to use “u” in a professional correspondence. I don’t even do it in personal texts because I’m not 12. The move to go with a text message was also questionable, one friend of mine with a very high success rate at interviews follows up with hand written and mailed thank you notes to each interviewer.
How would you prefer to be thanked? A card and gift basket? Personally I’d prefer the text as it won’t take up time talking on the phone. Cards are just a waste of time as I’ll skim it and chuck it in the recycle bin, emails would require the guy going home to his computer and therefore makes it seem like thanking wasn’t a priority… I donno, things like this are what text is for if you ask me. But I dont like what he said… should have used “you” (we’re not 16 here), and he didn’t even actually thank you (“thanks for meeting with me today…”)
Well, autocorrect is the new newspeak, I guess. Perhaps we’ll have phones changing “you” to “u” without ur knowing it. I’m already grumpy that my iPhone can’t tell “it’s” from “its” and makes me look like its [sic] my fault.
Allow me to add something on behalf of the older generation. I think it is in poor taste if he truly wants to thank you. The reason for the text is because it is easy, yet he thinks he has fulfilled his “obligation” of the thank you note. The “u” is another indication that he appreciates the time and all, but no big deal. A handwritten note or thank you rates very high in my book. Again, call me old-fashioned, but the fact that it hit you as strange when you got it tells me right away that it wasn’t quite right. And I agree with you.
Me too. I a written card may end up in the trash, all the same, but my opinion of the guy for taking the time to do it definitely goes up. The text message seems to indicate: “I want to thank you for your time in a way that takes as little effort as possible on my part. Please expect this level of effort from me in the future, and don’t forget to forward me any high paying jobs you run across in your daily work.”
I usually just send a gift basket of either lox or whitefish salad, depending on allergies. For vegetarians I send organic pot.
Make sure you attach a picture of you with XOXOXO at the bottom.
a mariachi band for hire provides an effective and tasteful ‘thank you note’ delivery which is not just visually but also acoustically enhanced; however I am uncertain whether such options are readily available at a minimum cost outside of southern california
Also a good idea. You probably want send a sign language translator for the mariachi band to be deaf-friendly. It’s a nice touch.
^ Nope! 
Yeah, so sounds like I’m on board with bchadwick, Black Swan, higgmond and goes to eleven. I was somewhat surprised about the variety of opinions concerning the merits and de-merits of a text-based thank you note. However, the fact that it evokes a mixed to strong reaction would suggest that if any of you find yourself in a similar situation, at least take the time to craft a thoughtful e-mail than to send your contact a text message with abbreviations and typo’s. “Better safe than sorry,” as the saying goes. On another note, great suggestions by all regarding “alternative” thank you gestures. 