The postman brought us a postcard the other day from a friend who is taking a short holiday. Apart from the minor miracle that the card arrived before she gets home I got to thinking about whether sending postcards is as popular now. I usually do send some, mean to send more, and have been known to buy them when away and post them when I get home! Are you a postcard sender. is there any point and do you like to see them in your mail? A little splash of colour amongst the drab of all the bills that seem to be the mainstay of our mailboxes these days.
[question posted by p1kef1sh]
responses and comments:
I like to get postcards too. I have never sent any to anyone though. I really haven't been to many places either though. I am not sure if they are quite common these days or not. I still like them though. [stephcjh]
I love to receive them as I suppose that if I want to continue getting them then I need to send them too. Now if you send me one from where you live - I bet that you will find one somewhere; I'll send you one from here. [p1kef1sh]
Yes I do send postcards and love to get them as well I also collect them. And yes they do arive after the person has returned most of the times but hey most of the times its not the post been slow. when a person goes on holiday say for a week by the time he gets a card and writes it and sends it its something like day 3 (you dont send a card saying hi I just got here I have no idea how this place is) [violeta_va]
That's a good point and very true. If I'm away for a few weeks I do try to send some by the end of the first week though. When my daughter was small I used to send her cards from places that I was visiting even if I was only away for the day! Just another way to remind her that her dad loves her. [p1kef1sh]
Hi there p1kef1sh I sent out a fair few postcards when we went to Preston during the summer holidays, they were of course of the Blackpool Tower! I wouldn't dream of going somewhere without sending at least my mum a postcard. My aunty in the US sends me a postcard on her travels to say where she has bee which is nice. I love to send them and equally like to recieve them but I do usually send the on the first day or so of being there! [Humbug25]
I send and love to receive too Humbug. Bless your aunty. It's lovely to get then from new places isn't it? [p1kef1sh]
In our country very few people send post cards.The use of envelop is also decreasing.The post office system is very un popular in our country.Because there is no certainty of reaching a postcard or envelop to the receiver's address.You are lucky that your postmen are very efficient.Now we send letters through courier service.Thank you. [bhanusb]
Now I can see how that could be a problem Bhansub. If your postal service is not reliable and you cannot be certain that card will get through; then that makes postcards much less desirable. [p1kef1sh]
When I travel I like to buy postcards and keep them for my collection. In the past I was keener on sending postcards than nowadays. I usually send a postcard to my mum, my sister, my best friend and a couple of other friends. I love to receive postcards from overseas in particular. Seeing the picture on the front and reading the message is enjoyable. A postcard is so much more welcome than a bill. [maximax8]
The bill for the holiday would indeed be far higher in cost than any of my other bills. Lol. I know that letters get home before postcards. I sent things home from Australia by sea mail and they got home eight weeks later. That was sooner than me. One country I know has things stolen from its postal service. A postcard gets through but not some gifts. [maximax8]
I usually buy postcards, but I never send them. I have good intention to do so, but I never send them on time. [polachicago]
Hi p1key, I haven't been on holiday for many years but the last time I went, I bought about 12 postcards and sat on the beach writing the postcards out while looking out onthe the deep blue sea in front of me and the sun shinning down, it was beautiful, yes I love sending postcard to all my friends but sadley when my friends went on their holiday couple of months ago, they never sent me any postcard or even bothered to tell me that they have come back home, I think that was very mean of them, they are not my true friends, I only seem to have just one and you knw who that person is. Hugs. Tamara [tamarafireheart]
Hi p1key, That is so sweet of you and I know that I have you as my friend too. Hugs. Tamara [tamarafireheart]
I am a postcard sender actually! I do not feel right going on holiday and not sending people postcards it is part of the holiday thing! I used to collect postcards that I was sent, I had hundreds of them everyone would send me a postcard. I miss not having postcards because I do not get any sent to me anymore! [gemini_rose]
You are a good person Gemini. Why don't people send you post cards? I try to send them and usually succeed. Note the usually! [p1kef1sh]
Hi p1ke...when I used to notice the ('used to') be able to go on holiday yes I would send a postcard..to me it is touching that PERSON REMEMEBERS YOU WHILE AWAY AND IS A LITTLLE PERSONAL..THAT THE REASON i USED TO SEND THEM AND LIKE RECEIVING THEM...HUGS LITTLEOWL....oops am sorry the caps lock was on didn't mean to answer in bold lol x [littleowl]
I noticed Littleowl. I try to send them and love to receive them too. XX [p1kef1sh]
Hello p1kef1sh I can't recall sending a postcard in at least 20 years. I used to send really bawdy postcards to my friends. The few friends I have. Hmm. [Transdisc]
Trans. So that's why one of the kings brought gold. Coins for the soda machine to refresh them on their pilgrimage. To inject that little hint of commercialism that is the true story of Christmas now. You had the evidence all the time! LOL. [p1kef1sh]
I like to get them but it's been a long time. I do send them occasionally! [dawnald]
I like to send them, but I don't always remember Dawn. [p1kef1sh]
I always get them when I go on trips with the intention of sending them, but they usually just end up in a Photo album. [itsmefaith]
LOL. For some reason I don't like collecting postcards. I either send them or throw them out - eventually. [p1kef1sh]
I send postcards if we are away travelling overseas, to the new world, and then it has to be the minute we land somewhere or the card will not get to the destination until the day after we arrive home after a good couple of weeks visit. It cannot be the several hours time difference.. why, We are ahead here in Sweden.. duh! BUT I think there is a law somewhere that it shall be so. YOU noticed it too I see, Did you write the law?? Is it YOUR law??wink Although, if you go to Germany (AND are German), I noticed, the card comes the day BEFORE they get back..but then they are driving and taking a ferry, not flyingw00t( is that even a factor??? Now if you fly from one side of Sweden to the other, the card will already be on kitchen table of your neighbour before you drive in from the airport where you mailed the darn thing.. I am sure that says something about the efficiency of Swedish MailService.. because it has nothing to do with time difference here.. the land is too skinny. [fjaril]
HAHAHAHAHA.. AAAH you made my evening! Thankyou for explaing the laws. I shall never forget it is all your fault, The next time I sit at Heathrow and wonder what to do, I will send the damn postcards to myself instead of overseas.. this way I know I will at least have them waiting when I get back... becuase YOU have ruled it so!wink [fjaril]
i used to send them when i was younger. especially when i went to Las Vegas! they are nice and if you remember to get some post card stamps [bunnybon7]
I've never been or received a card from Las Vegas. I shall have to do something about that! However, no good having cars if you don't have stamps!!! [p1kef1sh]
happyi guess postcard is still on to people who travel a lot and like to share or give somebody a glimpse of where he/she is now..well yeah i hav experienced receiving postcard from my hubby when he went to Italy for schooling(govt. sponsor trip).. and im so happy to see those cards and imagine myself that im therelollolalso with him.. [vanities]
How lovely of him to send that card. Italy is very beautiful with much history of course. Thank you Vanities. [p1kef1sh]
P1key I love to send and receive cards and have been busy getting all my Xmas ones ready..now they are not post cards, but do love collecting them from allover the world...love my Singapore one from you! huggs and kisses [Rosekitty]
Oh yes Christmas cards. Yikes, I've not even thought about any yet and it will be the last posting date soon. LOL. Glad that you got mine. Wish I was there now. It's freezing her!!! Brrrrrrr. [p1kef1sh]
I'm not much of a postcard sender, but I like to send out cards, like birthday cards, Christmas cards..etc. If I'm traveling, I may send some to family, but I don't get to travel that much these days. Yes, I think it adds a little splash of color to my mailbox, I always enjoy getting a postcard or some of kind of card in my mail, even letters, people don't write letters much anymore either. [walijo2008]
People don't write letters so much that's true. If you saw my handwriting you'd be pleased to get the e mails! LOL. A splash of colour does cheer me up though. So I continue to send them as I like to get them back. [p1kef1sh]
Well, as I don't go on holiday, I have no reason to send postcards! However, I do find it nice to get them. I have a pen friend in Tunisia who occasionally sends me postcards with beautiful scenes of Tunis, Carthage, etc. and I always like to receive them in the post! [pumpkinjam]
I have been known to send them from here occasionally just because I can Pumpkin. I've never been to Tunisia but they do have some very ancient monuments there I believe. [p1kef1sh]
Isn't the very practice of sending letters and postcards outdated? I hardly send anything via post. LOL!! Cheers and happy mylotting [positiveminded1977]
I use the postal service quite a lot still. If you don't use it, you'll lose it! I love to receive letters and cards. [p1kef1sh]
no am not a postcard sender. i forgot the last time i send a card. its almost outdated here... [lalu_202001]
Maybe it's an age thing. I love to send and receive them. [p1kef1sh]
missed receiving airmails... and your absolutely correct we usually get more of the bills from our mailboxes. I'm not so much of a postcard sender but from time to time i do send too as we have internets to communicate. but the thoought that counts whenever we sent or receive postcards and i love getting them. it reminds me during my teen years, i'm always excited to see the mailbox. and get frustrated if i don't receive any letters. by the way those letters, i need to push my friends and cousins to send me ha ha. specially at my school they post the names those who had a letter that make each of us proud of ha ha ha.... have a nice day [laila675]
you bet, after classes all are excited to see the board and it causes human traffic on your way out lol [laila675]
I like to send postcards. When I would go away without my kids, I'd always send them one, but it usually got there after I did. When my husband and I were just dating, I sent him a postcard from the time we went away and had the "marriage" conversation. He was really shocked (a week later) and very happy that I did that. Lately, though, I don't send as many as I used to. [reinydawn]
Awwww. That's lovely. I love to send and receive cards. [p1kef1sh]
I love sending postcards - and I love receiving them, too! I even have a tin in which I keep them, and it's fun to flick through them every now and then. I recently sent one to an online friend when I went to Darwin ... but I was home for a good two or three weeks before she received it! When I went to Europe 30-odd years ago, I beat all my postcards home - it was bizarre to have them turning up at my parents' home when I was actually emptying the mailbox myself! We have a little Printer which enables you to print photographs on special cards which have the postcard format printed on the back - a nice idea. [guybrush]
I will go and hunt some down. Thanks Guy. [p1kef1sh]
I buy a lot of postcards when I travel. I document things on them that I want to remember about my trip. I buy them early in a trip and have them handy to write fun tidbits on, etc. Great memories and don't take up much room in storage. When buying for myself I always run across one that reminds me of someone. I jot on it why I thought of them. I love to send cards to let people know I think of them. Would you like a little splash of Dallas, Texas color among your bills, P1ke? PM me your address. happy (or how about Maui? I'll be there for the holidays). [makingpots]
Gosh Pots. My world is full of Texan women! I didn't know that you lived in Dallas. That's four people that I need to see when I arrive next at Dallas/Fort Worth. I keep joking that I will need to hire a house - I really will now. I may have to stay for a year! LOL. I try to buy card that will appeal to the person that I send them too. I hope that my MIL enjoyed the crocodile! Enjoy your holidays. Sun at Christmas. Doesn't seem right, but I envy you it! [p1kef1sh]
It would surely be nice to find a reason to smile amongst our daily stack of stressful mail. It has been a long time since I got one and it is a good idea actually for people who like to travel. And the nice thing about it is the postcards are not in envelopes and it is for everyone to see and appreciate. Even the postman will appreciate what he sees..like knowing what one place would look like. I will be going down to DC this week and you gave me a good idea. I will buy and send postcards while I am there. It is a wonderful way to share what you saw and experienced. Thanks. [11strikes]
That's a great idea. I think that you can send cards from where you live occasionally too. As you say, everyone can see them and hopefully have a little smile. [p1kef1sh]
I can't remember the last time I got a postcard from someone, seems everything is done over the internet as ecards now adays, even on vacation people take along their Laptops so they send out ecards from there, I think the internet has taken away that special personal touch we used to do by hand. I usually buy them then never get them sent. I hate to go to the post office. [bdugas]
I'm a card man. I send them (usually) and I love to receive them too. But I sometimes struggle to find a post box when I am away. [p1kef1sh]
I love getting postcards! Unfortunately, my family and friends don't have the funds to travel so I don't get them anymore. When I was married, my in-laws always sent us postcards as they traveled but with the financial mess they can't do that anymore (they still send me emails and stuff, bless them!). [dragon54u]
I'm both a sender and receiver of postcards and whilst I don't collect them, I love to see them in the post. [p1kef1sh]
I love getting postcards from family and friends. I always intend to send them when I am away, but get so engrossed in my visit to where ever that I usually forget. I do try to take lots of pictures and post them so that my friends can see the things that I found interesting. However, on my most recent trip, my camera told me it had no more memory. I opened it to check things out. I had forgotten to get my memory card out of the scanner, from the last pictures I took, and I am not sure just how good the pictures I took with my phone are going to be. If it's not one thing, it's another with me. *Smacks hand against forehead*. [thebohemianheart]
Oh what a shame. Never mind, the main thing is that you are back home safe. I'm sure that the pics that you have taken will turn out fine. It's good to have you back. [p1kef1sh]
I insist that any of my family who travel and take heaps of photos, must send me at least one photo. I'm mostly ignored but I do receive the occasional one. Postcards are wonderful. They show that someone was thinking of you. One can share their journey even in just a small way, they stimulate the imagination. [MsTickle]
I always try to send postcards and agree that they do help bring a little of there to here through stimulating the mind. In my case that requires a huge amount of stimulating because I am such a dullard! LOL. [p1kef1sh]
Hi P1kef1sh, Oh I have a collection of postcards from all over the world from friends and family. I think they are fantastic to receive and whenever I get chance to go abroad I will send to a select few, I don't bother if holidaying in the UK though although we too have such beautiful scenery perhaps I should. When my eldest was in Australia for her gap year she sent many and I would treasure them as they arrived. I will also pick up a postcard for myself from anywhere of interest that I visit as a momento, I think the last one was one from the Eden Project picturing all the domes. I do not think they are as popular as they used to be but always lovely to receive. Huggles. Ellie :D [ellie333]
Oh you would have a choice between sending ones of Stonehenge or ones of the Cathedral from where you are and I am sure they would be really appreciated. [ellie333]
Well it is a long time since we had an actual holiday which has taken us away from home for more than a few day. So for us, for such a short amount of time, we would not be sending any pstcards to anyone. But we do like receuiving them, because my partner says they allow us to dream of places that we could go to one day in the future. I suspect that it will be the very distance future, if at all. On the other hand my brother and sister-in-law are prolific post card senders. They try to get away at least 2 or 3 times a year for 2-6 weeks to catch up with their old friends who live in other states. When they go away they have a list of a dozen or so friends and family they send post cards too. If they are sending them to children, then they are sent one every week they are away and the adults get one abiout once a fortnight. I suspect that it is more our sister-in-law than my brother who organises the whole thing. You are right in that a minor miracle occurs if the card arrives in your mail bos before the sender gets home. That is regardless of whether they are gone for a week or three weeks. lol To us when we do receive a post card from family or friends are away on holidays, it tells us that the person is thinking of us ... even if the thoughts are only fleeting and momentarily while they are enjoyiong their holiday. [oldboy46]
I think that is one of the magical things about postcards. Someone has taken the trouble to think about us and send a card. I love to receive letters, e mails etc, but a postcard is somehow vaguely exotic. But then I know that I am a very odd man! LOL. [p1kef1sh]
I honestly do not recall the last time I ever received a postcard, let alone sent one myself! I will buy the occasionally, sure; but this is as a souvenir for myself rather than being something I plan to send. It would be a nice thing to bring back actually because we have all become so dependent on electronic mediums to share news and pictures etc. Doing things this way tends to remove the human element from the equation when you really think about it. [James72]
I love to receive cards James and send a few myself. There is something very personal about a card. [p1kef1sh]
hi P1ke I personally prefer sending letters over sending postcards to people. When I was in rehab I had enough time on my hands to send cards and letters to friends who had not heard much of me in the last months due to that herniated disc problem. [book1962]
At least you had some time to catch up Book. Your friends will have been pleased to hear from you too I have no doubt. [p1kef1sh]
Sadly, I don't send any letters and postcards. Last month we took our kindergarten kids to the post office and guess what!? They don't sell stamps there!!! And the whole point of the visit was to show them what a stamp was and why it needs to be stuck on the envelope of the letter they wrote to their parents! I was disappointed and so were the kids (who had never seen a stamp in their little lives...they were born into the era of e-mails). I send e-mails to my parents in Africa and talk to them on the phone....but I know they prefer hand written letter (in our native script). Coming to postcards...lol...I loved collecting them more than sending them out. I would buy postcards wherever I visited....but they ended up going into a box at home rather than being posted. [SViswan]
Right! Whoever heard of a post office without stamps? Luckily, I was warned that morning my our co-ordinator. I was surprised that she chose a post office that had no stamps to take the kids when we have around 4 post offices around our school area. [SViswan]
I like getting postcards they brighten my day. I don't get much mail but bills so a postcard would hit the spot.I love sending postcard when I am visiting other states. I also buy a few to keeps as remembrances. I have never had one beat me home yet. [mtdewgurl74]
E mail me your address and I'll see what I can do. [p1kef1sh]
I havnt sent one in years and uauslly wait until I get home and then post it, how sad lol [AbbeyB]
I've ben known to do that too. LOL. My Mum is dreadful for it. Exotic cards all come with a British stamp! LOL. [p1kef1sh]
Oh that's a good one, we always used to send postcards as kids - I'm sure you did too. Now I have a little one of my own, we send cards from her to friends and relatives, but I think if it were'nt for that we wouldn't which is a shame. Having said that, my family still send cards to us when they go away - but I feel it is a waning fashion. It's really easy to send emails and texts on the move nowadays but I think many people enjoy getting away from the work-word which is built on communication when they are on holiday. My theory is that those who thrive on fast communication will send texts, videos and pictures to friends and family when they are away. The others who want to just 'get away from it all' will just keep their heads down... maybe there's some middle ground still left for the postcard market... Funnily enough, I fall into camp#1 (I sneak my laptop into my suitcase), my wife is very much in the other camp.... [livewyre]
I love to receive pleasant snail mail - not bills! I send postcards and love to receive them too. For me, E mail just doesn't cut the mustard. LOL. [p1kef1sh]