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
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.
Image source: kmar821, Kārlis Dambrāns
#2
Former carrier here. Had one house that always left me a bottle of ice cold water. Highlight of that route!
Image source: f309rod, Kristopher Patterson
#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.
#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.
Image source: bacampbe, AcrossTheAtlantic
#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…..
Image source: SetsukoSnow, Sarah
#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.
Image source: SeaofBloodRedRoses, smilla4
#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.
Image source: IronMermaiden, pikist
#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!
Image source: hoti0101, 401(K) 2012
#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.
Image source: mike_pants, Newyork10r
#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
Image source: M1keKuszewski, Carl
#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.
Image source: ProFriendZoner, Ron Doke
#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!!
Image source: kbhaden, Lindsay
#13
If you see me asleep in my vehicle, plz understand that I’m on break and I’ll be awake shortly lol.
Image source: MensisPleb91, karlnorling
#14
Buy stamps! Seriously its how they are funded it can literally save the post office.
Image source: RManSavage, MorningbirdPhoto
#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
Image source: visceralbutterfly, Paul Sullivan
#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.
Image source: Mummifiedchili, Petr Kratochvil
#17
Stop blocking the mailbox when you park on the street.
Image source: PrayForMojo88, del mich
#18
ICE COLD BOTTLE OF WATER. Don’t ask them if they want it, just give it to them 😅
Image source: EGKallday, Asli Akal
#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!
Image source: carionthen44, Aaron Brown
#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.
Image source: Pilgrim96
#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.
Image source: L_Jackson23, Lennart Takanen
#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.
Image source: SkullGearMC, Gilbert Sopakuwa
#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.
Image source: Chermzz, Zach Inglis
#24
Stop putting your garbage in front of your mailbox.
Image source: penguinpower2835, piqsels
#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).
Image source: FriedFishi
#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.
Image source: h00gieboss, Jon Parise
#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.
Image source: Redux-Limited
#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.”
Image source: bobtheturd, Aaron Yoo
#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.
Image source: kmar821
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