A sign of the times.
The postman whistles as he walks down the path, knocks three times and presents the occupant with their post. He declines the cup of tea and returns to his bicycle to continue down the lane. Arriving at the gate he enters the next house, inspects a new baby and incurs a cup of tea. Three doors down he informs old Mrs Wilkinson of the new baby’s name and tell her of the latest plans for the cathedral in Rochester. He meets everyone with their post and a brief friendly conversation, in fact, the entire local community is held together by the postman. He carries local news around and provides a daily visitor to the aged.
I’ve only ever twice spoken to my post woman, both times were a result of her trying to avoid being involved with her duty of delivering the post. I’ve many a time caught her, or some other worker attempting to avoid presenting me with my post. For some reason they prefer to write out a slip telling me that they don’t think I’m there without bothering to try the bell. It’s a sign of the times. No longer is there a vibrant community between the men and women who stay at home, in fact, rarely is anyone at home between nine and twelve. No longer does the postman share information or make light upon days of the aged and infirm.
Indeed, the world of malady is shown through the lack of conversation with the deliverer of the post.
Kind regards, Robert.
Tags: Post Office, Rant, Society
October 29th, 2007 at 12:49 pm
That may apply to your local post-person, but my local postman is actually more of the former type, than that which you describe yours to be, in that, he will spend ages talking to you, and will knock on door every morning and greets you with a friendly smile, and some news or another he’s gained locally.
November 1st, 2007 at 3:17 pm
You live in a utopia! Well, maybe you just live in a smaller community. Does anyone else get the personal treatment or is it just Lee’s animal magnetism? I’d like to live in a smaller and more sociable community, the only locals I know are the cats, everyone else is antisocial.
Kind regards, Robert.