Postal workers reveal the little things you could do to brighten their day

The United States Postal Service recently became a very controversial topic of discussion after recent operational changes brought about numerous complaints of delayed deliveries. Although Postmaster General Louis DeJoy reversed course last month as many Democratic states announced plans to file federal lawsuits, it is undeniable that recent events came as unnecessary additional stress for postal workers amid the pandemic. The crucial role they played in keeping society functional even as states went into lockdown due to the Coronavirus outbreak is one that requires a lot more than words of gratitude and admiration. And yet, since they aren't receiving the recognition and praise they deserve from concerned authorities, perhaps there are little things we ourselves could do to make their days slightly better.

Reddit user carrot_maniac hoped to find out exactly what they could do to make things easier for postal workers and turned to the AskReddit community with this question: "Postal Workers of Reddit: What do you need right now? How can we brighten your day when we see you on our routes?"

Here's how 24 postal workers and their loved ones answered this question:

1.

"Husband delivers mail and he loves just about anything people do. From pictures drawn from kids along the route to thank you letters to cold water and ding dongs. He is appreciative of it all!!" — kbhaden 

2.

"Former carrier here. Had one house that always left me a bottle of ice cold water. Highlight of that route!" — f309rod

3.

4.

"My father has been a postal worker for decades. What makes him smile the most is when people just reach out and be nice and friendly. He would always tell us stories about the people who would put a smile on his face. Notes/cards go a long way. But also just say hi and ask them how their day is going." — L_Jackson23 

5.

"Cold drinks and maybe a bag of chips or something. I’m a current carrier and seeing that stuff can completely brighten our day. Also just saying hi, or leaving a note saying thank you. I have a customer who plays tic tac toe with me. That’s pretty fun. Honesty anything helps and please be friendly and understanding if something is late or missing. As of right now a lot of this stuff is out of our control. It’s coming straight down from up top and there isn’t a lot we can do about it ourselves." — SkullGearMC 

6.

7.

"Cold water on a hot day, being patient with us if there are delays, somebody actually being home to take the next day 1pm delivery parcel you ordered, agree on a safe place for any parcels you get so your postie doesn’t have to spend extra time writing out a card." —  visceralbutterfly 

8.

"ICE COLD BOTTLE OF WATER. Don't ask them if they want it, just give it to them." — EGKallday 

9.

10.

"Put numbers on your damn mailbox/house. Send cards/legit letters to people. Tear down your POS lockbox that nothing fits into and get an actual mailbox. Say hello but don't hold me up for a half-hour bc I don't have time to lose. Buy stamps. If you see the mailman struggling with your giant ass refrigerator box, help, don't just watch from your porch. And for the LOVE OF GOD, STOP ASKING IF ITS HOT ENOUGH FOR ME OUT HERE." — h00gieboss 

11.

"I'm a big Jimmie Johnson fan the Nascar driver, today I opened a box and there was a signed Jimmie Johnson hat with a note saying it was for me. That has brightened my whole week, but water or Gatorade, snacks always appreciated. However I would recommend writing a note saying it's for the mailman as a lot of times items are left in a box and we are unsure, one Christmas I totally thought a gift was for me and it wasn't." — ManOfBox 

12.

13.

"I’m a carrier and I can tell you the cutest thing I see with the men in my office is the pure joy on their face when they reveal all the drinks/snacks they were given on their routes. They are so excited to take their treasures home to show the family. They even take pictures and post them on Facebook." — carionthen44 

14.

"When the quarantine was just getting started, a few of my customers left me a note in their mailbox. Just a friendly thanks and reminder that I am appreciated being out there during these hard times, making sure people get their mail and packages. I’d say this small kindness would be much appreciated again with all of this political nonsense interfering with my career." — Akumoro 

15.

16.

"Stop parking in front of your mailbox. Stop putting your garbage in front of your mailbox. Maybe put a number on your mailbox? Or at least your house? Anywhere, really? Not get pissy at us for things out of our control, which is virtually everything causing your mail to be potentially delayed. Maybe don't come up and start talking/shouting/coughing directly in my face, I don't really need to get sick." — penguinpower2835 

17.

"I am a carrier. I have a running tic tac toe game going with some kids on my route. They have a paper hanging off of box and we just do one x or o a day. I'm not sure who looks more forward to it, me or them." — sashwake 

18.

19.

"Please don't ask us what's going on with the post office. We really don't know either. I tell people 'I come to work, do my job and go home - until I'm told otherwise.' We have no control over anything other than that. It's so sad because I love my job, my route and my customers. I've been on the same route for almost four years. Babies born during my first year on it are now going into preschool. I've had several people on my route pass away. I've cried with family members. There are people on my route I talk to every single day. They know what's going on in my life and I know what's going on in theirs. That's my focus and that's what I care about right now. I hope to be able to continue doing my job for another twenty years. Sorry for rambling, but this whole thing hurts...we're taking it day by day and hoping we have enough people on our side." — foureyesoffury 

20.

"FedEx driver here . Please stay inside the house when you see me coming up to drop the package off. I really don’t want to be around people during the pandemic. Stay inside until I leave . And when I’m walking back to my truck and you decide to open your door and grab your package , a thanks really helps my mood. 95% of the time, the job is a thankless job." — Frankapalooza 

21.

22.

"Write your Congress Person that it is time for USPS to be a full fledged public service, not some half-assed expirement of Private-Public. We should be part of the General Schedule. Write your Congress Person demanding Hazard Pay for us essential workers. For really important mail and packages, do call your Post Office. Fight the Correct Fight." — twinwood36 

23.

"My Mom has worked for USPS since she was 18. She's 64 now. I just asked her, "Hey Ma, what do you need right now as a USPS employee?" and she yelled back, "GO OUT AND F**KING VOTE". So that's Kathy's answer. She DID say the best thing you can do for carriers (she's a clerk) is sanitize your mailbox with a wipe if isn't too much of an ask. The mail carrier touches every. single. mailbox. in their route. Cold bottles of water are also super appreciated." — IronMermaiden 

24.