I don't think I'll ever forget an incident a few years ago while I was helping a friend plant a tree at the local park. She had planted 23 trees in all, most of them without any help. The trees were donated in remembrance of loved ones by family members. While we were working, a woman approached us. I recognized her and assumed she was there to say thank you.

"Remember the tree you planted for me the other day?" she asked.

My friend nodded.

"You planted it too close to the road. It needs to be moved." Then she turned and left.

I don't think this woman was intentionally rude. She was probably distracted, or maybe she'd had a bad day, but the fact remains that out of the 23 trees my friend planted, only two people remembered to say, "Thank you."