Jay Cronley: Season's greetings better by real mail
BY JAY CRONLEY World Staff Columnist
Friday, November 23, 2012
11/23/12 at 2:36 AM
Mail call.
I love what's left of the mail, except for the racy movie offers that show up occasionally with funky looking women on the envelope saying buy one movie, get 17 free.
You would think that the Internet would have put this sort of industry out of business.
"Listen, I have no idea why I'm getting these things," I said to my mail carrier. "Has to be some mail-order list mix-up."
Communication between customers and mail carriers should be privileged, as is the case with attorneys and clients.
Mail carriers deserve everything they earn, and then some.
Besides having to be marathon walkers and dog whisperers, mail carriers are like having an extra officer on patrol, an extra set of eyes.
Forever stamps: IRS envelopes aside, most people and the mail have long and pleasant histories.
Letters are pretty much things of the past.
But checks still come in the mail sometimes.
So do holiday wishes.
Hang on for a second while I wipe the coffee splash marks off the screen and activate another of those Internet holiday cards that have all the warmth of an overdue payment notice.
I'm supposed to print the Internet card and place the piece of paper over the fireplace?
Included in today's mail were pleadings from the creditors to please pay my bill online. Soon, I expect an "Or else."
Save your stamp, they say. Actually, it's their stamp they're most concerned about saving. Buying stamps supports what's left of the post office. Paying by mail also supports the economy, as human beings have to be hired to work the envelopes on the other end.
Mail gluttony: This is the needy season.
Nonprofits by the dozen are coming through the mail for our money.
The field of collecting for charity via mail has become so competitive, subtle tricks and creative strategies are being used: return addresses are left off so you'll be more likely to open the envelope; longhand is simulated on the envelope; unordered gifts are sent.
After the gift of return address labels or totes or blankets has been sent without your having requested it, you'll get a note asking if the gift got there.
Then as crowded and competitive as the charitable field has become, you might get another note saying they know good and well that you got the unordered gift, now where's the contribution?
Original Print Headline: Season's greetings better by real mail
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