It was only after I had paid for my stamps and was about to leave that Alan explained the worried expression on his face:
“Some of us are going to lose our jobs.”
Alan was right: postal workers across the United States are being let go — about 30,000 of them are getting buyouts — because the postal service is in deficit and it needs to take drastic action.
This news made me sad not only because I use the postal service more often than most, but because it made Alan sad.
Alan and I started to get to know each other about six months ago, after he noticed that I had visited the post office five times in four weeks. He told me it wasn’t normal for people to use the postal service that often, and I told him that I was okay with not being normal. He knows the names of all my friends (last week, he remarked that I hadn’t sent a letter to my friend Jen in a while) and is up to date on everything going on in my life.
Going to the post office isn’t something I do every week just because I’m running out of stamps. Instead, it’s my excuse to say hullo to Alan, to catch up on how he’s doing, to hear all about how fast his kids are growing up. Alan is my friend, so when I saw the worried expression on his face, I knew he wanted to talk about what was eating at him.
It’s obvious that the postal service is in trouble: mismanagement and bad business decisions has made the service incredibly vulnerable in a time where email and other forms of communication are reducing the need for sending regular mail. At this point, the USPS is struggling not to thrive, but to survive; survival in this case means cutting costs, and part of that is cutting jobs.
Alan’s job is expected to be safe, but he’s not sure about his fellow colleagues at the post office. While it saddens him to know that some of his coworkers will be leaving, it saddens him even more to know that there’s really nothing they can do to make it better:
“In the end, it all comes down to one thing: most people don’t send mail anymore.”
I asked for Alan’s address that day before leaving the post office. I’m going to send him a letter telling him that while most people might not send mail anymore, I’m not most people. And that I’m glad he’s my friend.
It may not solve the woes of the postal service, but hopefully it will help wipe that worried expression off his face, if only for a few minutes.
Nice post. A national “event” that is actually personal to you.
Nora Young asks a question on one of her recent “Spark” blogs. something about what is better in person than online. I answered. One of my suggestions: Sending/receiving a handwritten letter.
Check it out.
kk
I’m really glad you wrote about this; it makes me sad too. I end up going to the post office several times a month and am usually helped by the same man each time. I don’t know his name, but I see recognition in his face as I walk up to the counter and he always makes a point to ask how I am. You’ve inspired me to find out his name, I just hope I’m not too late.
There is something infinitely more pleasing about receiving mail that an email cannot beat, so I’ll always use the postal service.
i really enjoyed this post today. i exclusively use USPS but i’ve taken the lazy route. i print out my stamps and leave the package and/or envelops at the front desk for the mailman to pick up. i rarely, if i can avoid, go to the actual post office. i realize that it’s different for everyone and there are reasons behind everything but the postal workers i’ve interfaced with in the city are not friendly or customer service oriented. i’d rather guess at how much something weighs, pay more in postage stamps than to deal with them face to face.
Karim, thanks for the tip to that post: you’re right, very few things are as beautiful and sentimental as handwritten notes.
Karen, please do tell me if you get to know your local postal worker better — and tell him thank you for helping get the wonderful letters you send me get here!
Lan, I’m sorry to hear you’ve had poor experiences with postal workers. Most of them that I’ve met have been the most friendly, fascinating people.
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Sameer, I love this post. Alan sounds very observant :) Hope all is going good with you, will have some more time for writing letters once I’m back in the UK x
He is very observant, and I have something to send you. :D What address should I send it to? Reading or Bath?
Hey Sameer, send it to either!- Probably to Bath, as I’ll be there on the 25/ 26th September, just in case it takes a while to reach me. I’m excited!!
Take care, Jen
I really enjoyed the style of this post, the storytelling tone. I need to try writing like that. You’re right, more people should use the post. It’s still thrilling to receive a letter. I should start writing them - or cards, even.
(P.S., I don’t think you have my new address.)
Oooh, Andrea, do send over your new address!