No more mailman?
By bounce58
@bounce58 (17387)
Canada
December 4, 2009 3:18pm CST
A few days ago, I raised a discussion about the mailbox being obsolete. Although only a few of the responses believed that they are becoming obsolete, I am taking this discussion a step back further.
How about letter carriers? Will they become obsolete too? How soon do you think before they become extinct? Do you have any suggestions on what the post office should do, so they won't be rendered useless? What if they become private and take charge of flyer(advertising) distribution for private companies?
2 people like this
6 responses
@thea09 (18305)
• Greece
5 Dec 09
Hi bounce, I rather think our 'taxhithromos' is on a job for life as the post office really wouldn't expect people to come down from the high villages to collect their post, that would be ridiculous as many of the inhabitants are getting on a bit up there and without the taxhithomos doing his rounds they most likely would be cut off from the gossip from the lower villages, and that is way more important than the mail he actually delivers. We can't really expect these elders to have to work out how to deal with mobile phones at their time of life and if they did how would they get hold of the cards they need unless the taxithromos dropped them off for them. Extinct, never. And now it doesn't have to be done by donkey but by car it's much easier anyway.
@bounce58 (17387)
• Canada
5 Dec 09
That's funny! I never thought of it that way. Officially they are called taxhithromos (Is that the greek letter carrier equivalent?) But actually they are gossip carriers?! I guess that's what you get if you have a mailman who's pretty familiar with everybody!
@thea09 (18305)
• Greece
5 Dec 09
Well I've never used the word mailman, that's an Americanism I think, and in the UK we had postmen, but they were a different breed entirely to a Greek taxithromos, who everyone calls by name anyway. Lovely man and I believe a more exalted job here than in other countries, no need for uniforms,and he has phoned up sometimes if there's been a big parcel waiting. His brother has an olive mill.
@yan_blue8 (1437)
• Philippines
4 Dec 09
Hi bounce! Pobably you are living in the States or in other country and you have noticed this kind of changes in your place, are you?
I have responded in your recent discussion about mailbox and as what I have said, it still exist here in my country. As well as with the mailman. They still play a very important role in giving letters to people. The mailman who used to give our bills at home is still the same mailman we have for more than a decade now. I think they are still rampant in the Philippines
I have responded in your recent discussion about mailbox and as what I have said, it still exist here in my country. As well as with the mailman. They still play a very important role in giving letters to people. The mailman who used to give our bills at home is still the same mailman we have for more than a decade now. I think they are still rampant in the Philippines@yan_blue8 (1437)
• Philippines
4 Dec 09
Yes! Manong Edward (Big bro Edward). That's how we call him. Often when we are expecting letters and we can find him in the street in the village, we can ask him just right there and will give us the letters. This way he won't go on the house anymore.
That's how we call him. Often when we are expecting letters and we can find him in the street in the village, we can ask him just right there and will give us the letters. This way he won't go on the house anymore.
@KrauseHome (36448)
• United States
6 Dec 09
Well, just because they are cutting way back on the amount of hrs. that the Post Offices are open, and the days that they are sending out the mail, there is still definately a need for them to be around for sure. Yes, you can get a lot of your Bills and stuff via online and pay them all there, but what about the other things, and Christmas Cards, Birthday cards, etc. I always think there will continue to be a need out there for postmen for sure.
@bounce58 (17387)
• Canada
6 Dec 09
Yes, I think it is still great to receive hand written cards during birthdays and Christmas. But, I'm just thinking that a few years from now, when the computer generation of kids grow up and don't send handwritten stuff anymore. Then there'll be no use of the post office. 
@cream97 (29087)
• United States
5 Mar 11
Hi. bounce58. I have heard about the mailman being obsolete. I think that mail carriers should deliver mail. It saves time for others that can't get to the post office in time. I know that there was a discussion about the law making mail carriers be off on Saturdays. This has not changed yet. It would be nice to see them run on this day. They are already coming in later in the mornings anyway. Any more extra time off, would create them to be behind schedule on their carrier routes.
@TierrasMommy (125)
• United States
5 Dec 09
I honestly dont think a mmail man will become extint unless they get smart and have everyone go to the post office just to get their mail or even they may just cut jobs which is never a good thing cause we all need to be able to live and have alittle extra money for ourselves and also it would be wise to even take the time to thank the mail man each time you see them.
@tsulani (6)
• United States
4 Dec 09
I honestly just don't think that the mailman will ever be out of a job. There might be less postal jobs available, but, and especially around the holidays, there will always be a need. People are always going to want to send packages. Cuz lets face it, until teleportation is invented and you can just zap something wherever you need it to go, where you gonna go to except the post office. In fact, you can print out mailing labels online now and have your mailman just pick up the package from your house!!! Even better!!
