What Your Postal Worker Wishes You Knew

Ever wondered what your mail carrier was thinking? Or what you could do to brighten their day? Thanks to Reddit, we recently got a glimpse into what our essential postal workers wish we knew.

“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 the mailbox and we just do one X or O a day. I’m not sure who looks forward to it more, me or them.”

“Former carrier here. Had one house that always left me a bottle of ice cold water. Highlight of that route!”

“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!”

“I can confirm [that the vehicles don’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.”

“Carrier here! All I ask is: for the love of God, PLEASE WEAR PANTS WHEN ANSWERING THE DOOR! I’ve had straight-up naked dudes sign for their package without batting an eye. Oh, also smiles and friendliness are appreciated 😃 …but with clothes on.”

“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.”

“My father has been a postal worker for decades. What makes him smile the most is when people just reach out and are 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.”

“Cold water on a hot day, being patient with us if there are delays, somebody actually being home to take the next-day 1 p.m. 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.”

“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 the top and there isn’t a lot we can do about it ourselves.”

“ICE COLD BOTTLE OF WATER. Don’t ask them if they want it, just give it to them!”

“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.”

“When the quarantine was just getting started, a few of my customers left me a note in their mailbox. Just a friendly thanks and reminder that I am appreciated being out there during these hard times, making sure people get their mail and packages. I’d say this small kindness would be much appreciated again with all of this political nonsense interfering with my career.”