Postmen
Posted: 11 Aug 2022, 03:43
I joined a Royal Mail Facebook group recently. There are quite a few posts asking people if possible to give some cold water to your postperson. And offer them the use of your toilet.
Reading the replies to the posts there are quite a few talking about needing the toilet on their rounds. Especially on huge housing estates with nowhere to go. Some are shy to ask for a toilet, or have done and been refused. So they would appreciate it if offered.
I had never really thought of them feeling awkward to ask.
I’m very shy myself. But I concocted a story to help me. About an imaginary nephew who has started work as a postman. That he has talked about having no toilets being the hardest part of the job (I have read this from someone in the group so that part wasn’t made up)
So, I’ve said it to two postmen so far. One looked at me a bit weird and just thanked me. My usual postman was much more chatty about it.
I handed him a bottle of cold water, and it looked like he was about to say no but then felt how cold it was and just said thank you. He was really sweating.
Me:- I wanted to say to you, did you know I have a toilet in my shed?
PM:- No I didn’t. I’ll remember that. But round here isn’t too bad. There’s (a business centre) and then (an elderly facility)
K:- My nephew said it’s the hardest part of the job. Big estates like this with nowhere to go. Then he said he feels awkward asking customers. So I thought I must mention it to my postman in case he feels the same way. I’ve just never thought. I always assumed if someone needs the toilet they’d ask, but maybe it’s something that’s frowned upon while you’re working.
PM:- When you first start it’s the hardest. You’re wanting to go to the toilet all the time because there is none. People don’t really want you in their house. Like I’ve knocked on 4 doors and it’s just “no” “no” “no” “no” it’s murder
K:- Really?? I’m shocked at that. I could never say no to someone. We all need to go at some time. And it’s awful in this day and age, that you’re going out to do your days work and can’t get access to a toilet when you need one.
PM:- Aye you see if you go to somewhere like (housing estate) there’s just nowhere at all to go. You end up having to go to (posh hotel) to go to the toilet
K:- I’m surprised they allow you!
PM:- They aren’t that happy about it, but they don’t say no. Not everybody is as nice and understanding as yourself (and touched my arm) But if they don’t the only other place I can go is the cemetery. (I don’t know if there are toilets in the cemetery, or if he meant outside).
K:- it doesn’t bother me at all. The bin men and recycling collectors have all used my loo. Him next door was reporting them for going in the bushes
PM:- You’re joking!?
K:- Honestly! He used to go out and take photos of puddles and urine marks down the wall! Whenever he used to speak to me he would moan about it. Who cares? Dogs pee everywhere, all the time and nobody bats an eyelid. If somebody needs to go urgently I don’t have a problem with it. But I’d still prefer they just came in and used mine than potentially get themselves in trouble. I’ve genuinely considered getting a public toilet sign to put up, just because I know it would wind my neighbour up!
Then followed a whole diatribe from me about my horrible neighbour. I can never miss an opportunity to slag him off
I was aware that the postmen are under time pressure so I stopped talking. Reminding him again that he’s welcome to use my toilet any time. Whether he’s delivering to me or not, so don’t ever be stuck. Or if he needs a drink, paracetamol, phone charger, anything.
He thanked me profusely over and over again, said he was so grateful and touched my arm a second time. He really did appear to be genuinely touched, which left me feeling a bit guilty about how excited the exchange had made me I did also mean it from my heart, though. I appreciate our key workers and am very happy to help.
My postman is about 45 and 6ft tall. Shaved head, dark stubble on his head and face. Very lean without being lanky. Beautiful grey-blue eyes and he wears glasses. He’s really friendly.
Reading the replies to the posts there are quite a few talking about needing the toilet on their rounds. Especially on huge housing estates with nowhere to go. Some are shy to ask for a toilet, or have done and been refused. So they would appreciate it if offered.
I had never really thought of them feeling awkward to ask.
I’m very shy myself. But I concocted a story to help me. About an imaginary nephew who has started work as a postman. That he has talked about having no toilets being the hardest part of the job (I have read this from someone in the group so that part wasn’t made up)
So, I’ve said it to two postmen so far. One looked at me a bit weird and just thanked me. My usual postman was much more chatty about it.
I handed him a bottle of cold water, and it looked like he was about to say no but then felt how cold it was and just said thank you. He was really sweating.
Me:- I wanted to say to you, did you know I have a toilet in my shed?
PM:- No I didn’t. I’ll remember that. But round here isn’t too bad. There’s (a business centre) and then (an elderly facility)
K:- My nephew said it’s the hardest part of the job. Big estates like this with nowhere to go. Then he said he feels awkward asking customers. So I thought I must mention it to my postman in case he feels the same way. I’ve just never thought. I always assumed if someone needs the toilet they’d ask, but maybe it’s something that’s frowned upon while you’re working.
PM:- When you first start it’s the hardest. You’re wanting to go to the toilet all the time because there is none. People don’t really want you in their house. Like I’ve knocked on 4 doors and it’s just “no” “no” “no” “no” it’s murder
K:- Really?? I’m shocked at that. I could never say no to someone. We all need to go at some time. And it’s awful in this day and age, that you’re going out to do your days work and can’t get access to a toilet when you need one.
PM:- Aye you see if you go to somewhere like (housing estate) there’s just nowhere at all to go. You end up having to go to (posh hotel) to go to the toilet
K:- I’m surprised they allow you!
PM:- They aren’t that happy about it, but they don’t say no. Not everybody is as nice and understanding as yourself (and touched my arm) But if they don’t the only other place I can go is the cemetery. (I don’t know if there are toilets in the cemetery, or if he meant outside).
K:- it doesn’t bother me at all. The bin men and recycling collectors have all used my loo. Him next door was reporting them for going in the bushes
PM:- You’re joking!?
K:- Honestly! He used to go out and take photos of puddles and urine marks down the wall! Whenever he used to speak to me he would moan about it. Who cares? Dogs pee everywhere, all the time and nobody bats an eyelid. If somebody needs to go urgently I don’t have a problem with it. But I’d still prefer they just came in and used mine than potentially get themselves in trouble. I’ve genuinely considered getting a public toilet sign to put up, just because I know it would wind my neighbour up!
Then followed a whole diatribe from me about my horrible neighbour. I can never miss an opportunity to slag him off
I was aware that the postmen are under time pressure so I stopped talking. Reminding him again that he’s welcome to use my toilet any time. Whether he’s delivering to me or not, so don’t ever be stuck. Or if he needs a drink, paracetamol, phone charger, anything.
He thanked me profusely over and over again, said he was so grateful and touched my arm a second time. He really did appear to be genuinely touched, which left me feeling a bit guilty about how excited the exchange had made me I did also mean it from my heart, though. I appreciate our key workers and am very happy to help.
My postman is about 45 and 6ft tall. Shaved head, dark stubble on his head and face. Very lean without being lanky. Beautiful grey-blue eyes and he wears glasses. He’s really friendly.