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The US postal service is currently undergoing a crisis with state officials cutting down on its funding—in a time when voting season is right around the corner and the pandemic isn’t showing signs of going away any time soon. All the while, given the context, it is a must to prepare properly for the influx of voter ballots alongside all of the regular mail that may come in through this vital state channel for communication.
So, in response to this, Reddit user u/carrot_maniac posted a question on r/AskReddit: Postal Workers of Reddit: What do you need right now? How can we brighten your day when we see you on our routes?
Needless to say, it was a question of benevolent intent that would hopefully reach a wider audience so as to not only inform people of the situation at hand, but to also encourage them to help USPS employees who bust their behinds to make sure you get your Christmas cards and Amazon packages delivered to your home, on time, and without harm.
Bored Panda has collected some of the best advice from Reddit on how we can all do our part to help USPS employees get past the US postal crisis and to show support to people working within a key governmental service. And while you’re scrolling through all of the advice provided below, why not vote on the ones you like the most and leave a comment on what you thought about this!
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Listen to current events.. The election is coming and Trump has essentially declared war on the post office and is systematically trying to cripple the post office so it can be privatised. Do your research and vote wisely.
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#2
Former carrier here. Had one house that always left me a bottle of ice cold water. Highlight of that route!
#3
I am a carrier. I have a running tic tac toe game going with some kids on my route. They have a paper hanging off of box and we just do one x or o a day. I'm not sure who looks more forward to it, me or them.
As soon as the Reddit post hit the boards, many people came out to give advice on how each and every one of us can help. While postal workers are said to love every bit of support and help they can get, whether moral or practical, there is some key advice worth emphasizing.
First of all, mail carriers do not have air conditioning in their vehicles, so working on hot days can be quite a challenge. Leaving some water for them on your porch or raising some funds with your neighbors for a car fan would be something you could do to help mitigate this. Some mail carriers are known to have water vests, so that’s also an option.
#4
A USPS truck broke down right in front of my driveway. I couldn't pull in. So I just parked in the neighbors driveway. Apparently she had been waiting there for over an hour for a replacement in the heat. I invited her into the air conditioning, gave her some snacks and water, helped her unload the packages when the truck arrived. I felt so bad for this poor lady. She was so thankful the whole time. Be kind to the USPS drivers they have it pretty bad.
Brandy Grote 4 years ago
the vehicles are from the 70s. One company that made major parts for them, like the axles, is out of business. Imagine how much money could be saved by upgrading the fleet to hybrid or electric where appropriate, adding a/c, just catching up to the world.
#5
Carrier here! All I ask is for the love of God PLEASE WEAR PANTS WHEN ANSWERING THE DOOR!...ive had straight up naked dudes sign for there package without batting a eye...oh the stories of awkwardness I could tell you guys...oh also smiles and friendliness is appreciated 😃 ..but with clothes on.....
#6
Keep your dogs inside. If they're outside, make sure I can access your mailbox without them getting anywhere near me. If your dog is sitting outside and I think there's a risk, you're just not going to get your mail. Also, if you're going to meet me at the door, keep your dogs under control. I've had two dogs burst through the door because the owner didn't put enough physical effort into restraining their dogs. One of them was friendly and I got plenty of kisses, but the other one would have at least hospitalised me if there hadn't been a gate I could get behind and close. Keep. Your. Dogs. Inside.
Another way you could help is by keeping your dogs inside when you’re expecting mail. Sure, some dogs just want to greet them with kisses and cuddles, but there are cases when owners don’t put enough effort in stopping their more aggressive dogs from attacking the mail personnel.
Last, but certainly not least, having a bigger mailbox would benefit all, as the mail couriers would have a place to store some of your bigger packages safely and you’d be sure that your package is not in sight of porch pirates. Also, don’t block mailboxes with cars when parking on the street. It just leads to much bigger traffic congestion.
#7
My Mom has worked for USPS since she was 18. She's 64 now. I just asked her, "Hey Ma, what do you need right now as a USPS employee?" and she yelled back, "GO OUT AND F****** VOTE". So that's Kathy's answer. She DID say the best thing you can do for carriers (she's a clerk) is sanitize your mailbox with a wipe if isn't too much of an ask. The mail carrier touches every. single. mailbox. in their route. Cold bottles of water are also super appreciated.
GirlFriday 4 years ago
Going out now and wiping mine down with a clorox wipe and leaving a note thanking them for their service.
#8
I run a small business out of my home. My mailman does a home pickup about twice per week. I've been giving him gift cards about twice per month to places he likes. The guy is so appreciative and goes out of his way to help me. I couldn't do my business without him. If you're out there Jesse, you're the man!
Hilary Mol 4 years ago
Being on the receiving end of kindness and thoughtfulness is always welcome. It feels like there's too little of it these days. And being kind to someone else doesn't cost you a thing. :)
#9
I'm a lily-white carrier that delivers in Bed Stuy. If I could go one week without being called a b****, being spit on, or being shoved out of buildings, that'd really mean a lot.
WilvanderHeijden 4 years ago
Didn't know what Bed Stuy meant, so I searched it. First hit: 3 Men Shot While Standing Outside In Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn .... I feel for carriers that have to deliver mail in those kinds of neighborhoods.
Above all, be friendly and kind to people who make sure you don’t have to go anywhere to get your mail and important packages, this way avoiding any potential contact with those suffering from COVID-19. Be understanding if a package is coming in late—it’s not their fault logistics isn’t perfect. Thank them for their service, offer them cold water or a snack on their route, and show them you appreciate their service.
The Reddit post soon went viral, not only receiving over 5,200 comments with helpful advice, but also garnering nearly 80,000 upvotes and being given over 140 various Reddit awards.
Keep scrolling for more unique insights into how you can help your mail courier on a daily basis, and why not let us know what you thought about this. Perhaps you have your own mailing stories? Let us know in the comment section below!
#10
Postal clerk here. Honestly, just support. I have a family of 4 and all this b******* around the postal service going under has got my anxiety through the roof. I know it’s easier said than done, but any chance to support us is awesome. I honestly love my job and I love what I do. I would hate to have to start over. Thanks for supporting us kind strangers
#11
Keep in mind the mail carriers don't have air conditioning in their vehicles. There was one that got baked alive in California last year. The collection drivers don't have A/C as well, but they don't hit the residential areas for the most part.
#12
Husband delivers mail and he loves just about anything people do. From pictures drawn from kids along the route to thank you letters to cold water and ding dongs. He is appreciative of it all!!
Marcellus the Third 4 years ago
"Ding dongs" sounds like innuendo... hoping it's some kind of USA snack instead!
#13
If you see me asleep in my vehicle, plz understand that I'm on break and I'll be awake shortly lol.
#14
Buy stamps! Seriously its how they are funded it can literally save the post office.
Curry on... 4 years ago
It'd be cool to re-start that old habit of writing (and mailing) letters.
#15
Cold water on a hot day, being patient with us if there are delays, somebody actually being home to take the next day 1pm delivery parcel you ordered, agree on a safe place for any parcels you get so your postie doesn’t have to spend extra time writing out a card
#16
Former mail carrier here, #1 get a bigger mail box lol. Water and treats are nice, but a box they don't have to get out at to deliver things is the gift that keeps on giving.
Stephanie Did It 4 years ago
Yes! Don't put up a cheaper but smallish box then complain when the carrier has nowhere else to put a calendar or small/medium package.
#17
Stop blocking the mailbox when you park on the street.
Dragonfruit'nrollerskates 4 years ago
I live near my high school. My mailbox kept getting knocked down by kids on a truck with a bat, and we were the ones in trouble with the mailman.
#18
ICE COLD BOTTLE OF WATER. Don't ask them if they want it, just give it to them 😅
#19
I’m a carrier and I can tell you the cutest thing I see with the men in my office is the pure joy on their face when they reveal all the drinks/snacks they were given on their routes. They are so excited to take their treasures home to show the family. They even take pictures and post them on Facebook. As for me I love being squirted with a hose. A garden hose that is!
#20
I’m a postal clerk that works in the back; complain about dog food packaging to Amazon. Dog food comes in big boxes with uneven weight distribution that becomes dangerous and heavy when picking up. Amazon will only start packaging the dog food better if people complain . Make sure you complain to AMAZON not the USPS.
#21
My father has been a postal worker for decades. What makes him smile the most is when people just reach out and be nice and friendly. He would always tell us stories about the people who would put a smile on his face. Notes/cards go a long way. But also just say hi and ask them how their day is going.
#22
Honesty anything helps and please be friendly and understanding if something is late or missing. As of right now a lot of this stuff is out of our control. It’s coming straight down from up top and there isn’t a lot we can do about it ourselves.
Kayla J 4 years ago
This isn't a current thing, but some years ago the mailman rang our doorbell which was strange. Apparently a truck had caught fire and some of our mail was singed, but they were still trying to deliver it weeks later. The mail was in ziploc bags and there was a letter with it, but our carrier still apologized profusely. We thought it was such a unique situation and told him how nice it was that they were still trying to deliver mail even weeks later.
#23
STOP YELLING AT ME WHEN I CAN NOT FIND YOUR PACKAGE!!!! We get mail from UPS AND Fedex and sometimes it’s already comes all f***** up or they lost it...but we are last to touch it, then customers hate us for thinking we damaged the package or lost it.
Brandy Grote 4 years ago
i feel sorry for delivery people who have to handle a torn, mangled, dripping ruined package.
#24
Stop putting your garbage in front of your mailbox.
WilvanderHeijden 4 years ago
Just leave a friendly note. Most people don't even realize how annoying it is to have to move stuff that is blocking mailboxes a hundred times a day.
#25
As a postal worker all I ask is for us to be free from that insane bill that forces USPS to pay benefits 75 years into the future. And to allow the USPS to thrive in innovation once again (see air mail beacons,Pneumatic Tubes, etc..) It would also be nice to not have to use a competitor to ensure timely delivery of some of our time sensitive services (Priority Mail Express).
M O'Connell 4 years ago
I'd like to see someone with entrepreneurial spirit put together an easy electric conversion kit for the LLV. It really is the ideal vehicle for mail delivery, but their drive-trains are quite old and inefficient. Though I have noticed that all of them used by my local post office have LED headlights now.
#26
Put numbers on your damn mailbox/house. Send cards/legit letters to people. Tear down your POS lockbox that nothing fits into and get an actual mailbox.
Elak Swindell 4 years ago
Highly visible numbers is definitely a must. Not enough people do this. I'm a furniture delivery guy and being able to see them really helps, just like it does for postal personnel.
#27
Former post carrier, not from USA tho, but still applies: saying hello/good morning, it's surprising the amount of times I smiled and said good morning to have the other person looking me if I was an alien from another galaxy.
It's free and trust me, that alone helps more than you think.
#28
Former letter carrier for nine years on a walking route. I know winter hasn’t arrived yet, but when it snows, please make sure you shovel your stairs. Most people did, of course.
#29
"Can confirm [that the transport doesn't have AC]. You could buy them a battery-powered mini fan that clips to something in their truck. Some wear water vests to keep cool."
#30
Stop coming out side to grab the mail from them in person. They have a risky job already. With covid there are a lot more concerns and rules in place and he can't do his job safely if he can't keep a safe distance awake. He'd love to chat if you want to chat from a safe distance, but just let him do his job and put your mail in the box.
What do you think ?
GirlFriday 4 years ago
Thank you for the inspiration. I just took a care package out to the mail box for the letter carrier. I put in some disinfecting wipes, some cooling body wipes, some hand sanitizer, hand lotion, lip balm and hard candy. I hope this brightens his day.
Cuddles 4 years ago
Our letter carrier stopped to give me a package and saw my basset hound and was like "Can...can I pet him?" "Sure. But he'll probably flip upside down because he likes belly rubs." Now the hound will awoo away if he hears the car in the driveway because he seems to know it's his friend who rubbed his belly. (Rural route carrier, they use an old battered station wagon and the dog knows the sound of it.)
Richard Brown 4 years ago
Postal worker left my house on Saturday after I gave her a box of chocolates (Roses) and a thank you card for working during the pandemic. It's the first one she has ever had
Leo Domitrix 4 years ago
Wow. My family must be really weird. We've always had 1. huge mailboxes 2. left cold water/cards/notes 3. kept our pets restrained 4. not blamed them for Customs holding up a package, etc. 5. chatted politely if they like and 6. kept our garbage nowhere near the mail. Like, who wouldn't be nice to the mail-people? Just... be nice. And you learn a LOT abou tthe neighborhood (crime trends, etc.) and about mail regulations (ohkay, if you are ONE millimeter over, yes, DHL will refuse the package!), etc..... AND WHO DOES NOT CLEAN THEIR MAILBOX?!! !OMG!!! WHere I live now, a black widow spider can live in the back. CLean 'em, wipe 'em daily, and remove pests. Nobody wants to risk a spider/snake/wasp!
Tardis42 4 years ago
Some of these seem legitimate, but others just seem like complaining. It's their job to get the mail to me. If it's legal for me to have a mail slot, and I want one in MY house, I'll have one. Also, though I agree, if there's a vicious dog in the yard, a mail carrier shouldn't be expected to enter the yard, if I want my mailbox on my house, not at the street, the mail carrier should walk up and put it in my mailbox, even if it means they'll have to take extra steps. It's part of the job.
bryguy 4 years ago
Some of these really are just people complaining to complain. Like the one saying you should "at a minimum" consult with him before moving or buying a mailbox. Like come on.
Load More Replies...
Astrid Nineor 4 years ago
My mum put a box of chocolates on top of the litter bin for the bin men once. They threw it in the bin without looking at it :(
bryguy 4 years ago
Seeing pictures of mailboxes seems so dated, most people in my country have centralized mailboxes with parcel compartments for large packages. I haven't had a mailbox since around 2005. I imagine it makes the lives of the postal workers a lot easier
K.Kobayashi 4 years ago (edited)
Most mailboxes in the US are curbside. In most cases the postal worker can put the mail in there without getting out of the van. Though of course apartment complexes and condos have centralized mailboxes.
Load More Replies...
Courtney Christelle 4 years ago
At Christmas time my mom will put a bag of home baked cookies with a note for the mailman. At my office is Stan the Mailman, very nice fellow. I made him and his wife crocheted scarves for Christmas and a tin of various home made treats one year. They work hard, show them some love.
Bob Belcher 4 years ago
What advise for people that live in subdivisions with large multi use boxes where 40 ppl all get their mail from one of those big boxes that has a bunch of small boxes for each house. Man I can't think of the word lol.
Victoria Swift 4 years ago
Cool, so can we all make a b***h list of things that would make our work easier?
Rebecca O'Donnell 4 years ago
As long as you have to work outside during ice storms, blizzards, tropical storms, heat indexes over 100%, etc. I walked 13 miles everyday on my mail route carrying approx. a bag weighing 20 pounds. Had dogs break down storm doors, go through plate glass windows to attack me. I loved being a letter carrier and still love dogs but being a mail lady is not easy.
Load More Replies... GirlFriday 4 years ago
Thank you for the inspiration. I just took a care package out to the mail box for the letter carrier. I put in some disinfecting wipes, some cooling body wipes, some hand sanitizer, hand lotion, lip balm and hard candy. I hope this brightens his day.
Cuddles 4 years ago
Our letter carrier stopped to give me a package and saw my basset hound and was like "Can...can I pet him?" "Sure. But he'll probably flip upside down because he likes belly rubs." Now the hound will awoo away if he hears the car in the driveway because he seems to know it's his friend who rubbed his belly. (Rural route carrier, they use an old battered station wagon and the dog knows the sound of it.)
Richard Brown 4 years ago
Postal worker left my house on Saturday after I gave her a box of chocolates (Roses) and a thank you card for working during the pandemic. It's the first one she has ever had
Leo Domitrix 4 years ago
Wow. My family must be really weird. We've always had 1. huge mailboxes 2. left cold water/cards/notes 3. kept our pets restrained 4. not blamed them for Customs holding up a package, etc. 5. chatted politely if they like and 6. kept our garbage nowhere near the mail. Like, who wouldn't be nice to the mail-people? Just... be nice. And you learn a LOT abou tthe neighborhood (crime trends, etc.) and about mail regulations (ohkay, if you are ONE millimeter over, yes, DHL will refuse the package!), etc..... AND WHO DOES NOT CLEAN THEIR MAILBOX?!! !OMG!!! WHere I live now, a black widow spider can live in the back. CLean 'em, wipe 'em daily, and remove pests. Nobody wants to risk a spider/snake/wasp!
Tardis42 4 years ago
Some of these seem legitimate, but others just seem like complaining. It's their job to get the mail to me. If it's legal for me to have a mail slot, and I want one in MY house, I'll have one. Also, though I agree, if there's a vicious dog in the yard, a mail carrier shouldn't be expected to enter the yard, if I want my mailbox on my house, not at the street, the mail carrier should walk up and put it in my mailbox, even if it means they'll have to take extra steps. It's part of the job.
bryguy 4 years ago
Some of these really are just people complaining to complain. Like the one saying you should "at a minimum" consult with him before moving or buying a mailbox. Like come on.
Load More Replies... Astrid Nineor 4 years ago
My mum put a box of chocolates on top of the litter bin for the bin men once. They threw it in the bin without looking at it :(
bryguy 4 years ago
Seeing pictures of mailboxes seems so dated, most people in my country have centralized mailboxes with parcel compartments for large packages. I haven't had a mailbox since around 2005. I imagine it makes the lives of the postal workers a lot easier
K.Kobayashi 4 years ago (edited)
Most mailboxes in the US are curbside. In most cases the postal worker can put the mail in there without getting out of the van. Though of course apartment complexes and condos have centralized mailboxes.
Load More Replies... Courtney Christelle 4 years ago
At Christmas time my mom will put a bag of home baked cookies with a note for the mailman. At my office is Stan the Mailman, very nice fellow. I made him and his wife crocheted scarves for Christmas and a tin of various home made treats one year. They work hard, show them some love.
Bob Belcher 4 years ago
What advise for people that live in subdivisions with large multi use boxes where 40 ppl all get their mail from one of those big boxes that has a bunch of small boxes for each house. Man I can't think of the word lol.
Victoria Swift 4 years ago
Cool, so can we all make a b***h list of things that would make our work easier?
Rebecca O'Donnell 4 years ago
As long as you have to work outside during ice storms, blizzards, tropical storms, heat indexes over 100%, etc. I walked 13 miles everyday on my mail route carrying approx. a bag weighing 20 pounds. Had dogs break down storm doors, go through plate glass windows to attack me. I loved being a letter carrier and still love dogs but being a mail lady is not easy.
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