National Thank a Mail Carrier Day

February 4 is National Thank a Mail Carrier Day. Although there is not an official motto, the words below, from The Persian Wars by Herodotus, appear in stone over the New York City Post Office on 8th Avenue:
Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds.

Considering the elements of nature your mail carrier faces and the growing number of Amazon Prime packages they deliver daily, making their job a little easier is a lesson in simple good manners.

Here are a few etiquette tips to keep in mind when it comes to your favorite postal service professional:

Make the Envelope Easy to Read

There are certain colors of ink (and colored envelopes) that are harder to read than others. Dark colored inks and gel pens are difficult on the eyes. Steer clear from glitter pens and tone on tone, such as light ink on a dark envelope. Also avoid gold, silver and fluorescent markers and ink. Felt tips get wet in the rain and run down the envelope, as opposed to a ballpoint that won’t run as easily.

Properly Address the Envelope

Write the person’s name on the center of the envelope and follow the rules of letter writing by putting your return address on the corner or back flap of the envelope. Don’t “skip” a return address or put it somewhere that can be confusing. It’s possible to create a Pinterest inspired envelope while also keeping it carrier-friendly. Make sure to abbreviate the state correctly so it doesn’t accidentally get sent to another city, state or country.

Know Your State Abbreviations

Here are a few that may be helpful:

• MA (Massachusetts)
• IA (Iowa)
• NE (Nebraska)
• DE (Delaware)
• CT (Connecticut)
• AK (Alaska)
• ME (Maine)

A comprehensive list can be found on the USPS website.

Use Correct Postage

At the time of this post, the postage cost for a basic one-ounce letter is $0.55, and a U.S. Forever stamp is $0.55. A forever stamp lasts forever, as the name suggests. Regardless of how long ago the stamp was purchased, its value will not change over time, no matter if the postage cost has increased.

Buy Your Own Stamps

Mail carriers don’t generally sell stamps unless they are delivering along rural routes – then they are more accommodating because of the circumstances and considered a post office on wheels. Don’t leave money in your mailbox to cover your postage.

Show Consideration

Keep an eye on your pets if you know they are prone to jump or bite. Your mail carrier has enough to deal with, without getting chased by an aggressive pup. Be respectful of your mail carrier by offering them a bottle of water or a warm cup of cocoa when you see them, as well as, groom your lawn and front walkway so they won’t trip or get hurt on your property. And, finally, do your best to dress “appropriately” (not in a towel or worse!) when you come to the door! The USPS website states: Carriers are not required to deliver to locations where safety issues — such as icy steps, snow-packed paths or icy overhangs — create perilous conditions. Whether or not your mail carrier delivers mail to your door boils down to a safety issue.

Rules for Saying Thank You

According to their website, mail carriers may not accept cash or gifts valued at more than $20. But there are ways to say “thank you” and “we appreciate you for your hard work.”

• A gift card to a deli or coffee shop (that can’t be converted into cash)
• A pair of warm gloves or a cozy scarf
• A thermos or thermal coffee mug
• Candy or salty snacks
• Water or soda

Personalize it – in my case, guitar picks because according to my son, my mail carrier likes guitars. Some fun or engraved guitar picks would be thoughtful and personal.

You may also like 10 Small Ways to Make a Big Difference. For more of Diane’s etiquette tips, read her posts on Inc., subscribe to her articles on Huff Post, “like” The Protocol School of Texas on Facebook, and follow her on Pinterest, Instagram and Twitter. Buy her new book, Modern Etiquette for a Better Life.