Social IssuesAUG 25, 2020

30 Postal Workers On Reddit Reveal The Things They Wish Customers Did

Robertas Lisickis, Lukas Garnelis and Laima

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!

#1

30 Postal Workers On Reddit Reveal The Things They Wish Customers Did

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.

kmar821, Kārlis Dambrāns

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155points

#2

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

f309rod, Kristopher Patterson

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137points

#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.

sashwake, Katie

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134points

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.

bacampbe, AcrossTheAtlantic

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119points

#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.....

SetsukoSnow, Sarah

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106points

#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.

SeaofBloodRedRoses, smilla4

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99points

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.

IronMermaiden, pikist

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95points

#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!

hoti0101, 401(K) 2012

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94points

#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.

mike_pants, Newyork10r

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92points

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

M1keKuszewski, Carl

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88points

#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.

ProFriendZoner, Ron Doke

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80points

#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!!

kbhaden, Lindsay

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71points

#13

If you see me asleep in my vehicle, plz understand that I'm on break and I'll be awake shortly lol.

MensisPleb91, karlnorling

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70points

#14

Buy stamps! Seriously its how they are funded it can literally save the post office.

RManSavage, MorningbirdPhoto

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67points

#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

visceralbutterfly, Paul Sullivan

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61points

#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.

Mummifiedchili, Petr Kratochvil

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60points

#17

Stop blocking the mailbox when you park on the street.

PrayForMojo88, del mich

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60points

#18

ICE COLD BOTTLE OF WATER. Don't ask them if they want it, just give it to them 😅

EGKallday, Asli Akal

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60points

#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!

carionthen44, Aaron Brown

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59points

#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.

Pilgrim96

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55points