Anybody who knows me well will know how much I love postcards. So, you can imagine how sad I was to learn that the oldest UK Postcard company closing.
Mitch understands that on all of our trips some of my time will be spent browsing and buying postcards. This is followed by finding a post office and learning how to say “stamps” in a new language. I love writing and sending postcards. Here’s why.
Postcards are Personable
When I post a status on Facebook, 559 people can read it. I am (effectively) talking to 559 at one time. Giving them an update on my life or sharing something which I think is noteworthy. While a private FB message allows for that one on one interaction, sitting down and hand-writing something takes much longer and is more personable.
When I buy postcards, I spend time looking at the photo on the front and thinking who would like it the most. I think about the person receiving it and what they would like to see/hear about on my travels. Granted, you can’t write a lot on postcards. Yet, people can do a lot with 140 characters on Twitter and I can do a lot with postcards.
People Love Receiving Postcards
What did you get in the mail over the past month? Let me guess. A letter from Student Loans saying you still owe them £20,000, a credit card or bank statement (unless you’ve gone paperless!), and junk mail from the local pizza/kebab/curry/Chinese restaurant. If you’re having a good mail day, you’ll receive a Birthday card, wedding invitation, or a letter from HMRC saying you’re due a tax refund.
It’s safe to say, mail isn’t always very exciting. But, when you go to your porch or front door and have a lovely photograph and hand-written message, it can really brighten up your day. People have told me how much they love receiving them. What’s not to like?
Why Don’t People Send Postcards?
- Lack of addresses: Realistically, there are only a handful of addresses you know off by heart. You’re not going to carry your whole address book travelling with you, are you? Well, er, I actually do. It’s pretty small. Nothing hurting you from sending somebody a quick message and asking for their address. Intrigue will make somebody more excited for receiving their mail!
- It’s expensive: Postcards themselves aren’t expensive. However, I am well aware that stamps are expensive. Not in all countries (Mexico was super cheap), but, a first-class stamp in the UK is 60p – that’s not even international. If you want to send a fair few, it could add up.
- It’s slow: The super cheap stamps in Mexico were super slow. It took 6-8 weeks for my postcards to arrive in the UK. Thankfully, we were there for five months, but, if you’re on a quick holiday, you’ll likely see the person before they receive the postcard.
- Social media is easier and quicker: It’s quicker and easier to post a photo on Facebook/Twitter/Instagram than it is to buy, write, and send a postcard. Often, postcards would discuss what a person has been up to and have a lovely photo on the front. These days, photos on postcards can be taken by individuals and posted online a few moments later.
I am genuinely sad that the oldest Postcard company in the UK is closing. I am sad that people don’t send as many postcards. Next time you’re on holiday or travelling, buy a postcard, sit in a nice cafe with a latte, smoothie, or beer, write your postcard and find a post office (the latter can be the most challenging part depending on where you are). I guarantee that the person receiving it will be thankful.