Behind the Mailbag

Interview someone — a friend, another blogger, your mother, the mailman — and write a post based on their responses.

As a food blogger, I’m always asking chefs, bakers, and fellow foodies about their favorite ingredients and guilty pleasures. But this week, I decided to do something different — I interviewed someone outside the culinary world: my mailman, Joe.

Rain or shine, Joe’s out there delivering letters and packages with a smile.

Me: Welcome back to The People You Meet, the podcast where we dive into the fascinating lives and stories of the everyday people we often take for granted. Today, we have a very special guest, someone who brings a little piece of the outside world to our doorstep every single day. Joe, welcome to the show!

Me: Joe, thanks for letting me hijack your break for a an interview! Let’s get right into it.

Joe: No problem at all. Thanks for having me. It’s a pleasure to be here.

Me: So, let’s start with the basics. What’s a typical day like for you? We all see the mail truck, but what happens before you even get to our street?

Joe: A typical day starts pretty early, usually around 7 a.m. I get to the station, and the first thing is sorting the mail. We call it “casing” the mail—that’s where I organize everything for my route, from letters to magazines, so it’s in the right order for my deliveries. After that, I load everything into my truck, check my parcels, and then I’m off. The real work is in the sorting; the delivery is just the fun part of being out on the road.

Me: It sounds like there’s a lot more to it than just dropping letters in a box. I’m curious about the human element. You must meet so many people on your route. What’s the most memorable interaction you’ve had?

Joe: There are so many, but one that always sticks with me is a little girl on my old route. She was probably about five, and she’d always be waiting for me by her mailbox. One hot summer day, she had a little cooler out with a note taped to it that said, “For the mailman.” Inside, there was a bottle of cold water and a drawing she had made of me. It was just a simple, pure gesture of kindness. I still have that drawing. It just reminds me that I’m more than just a person delivering junk mail.

Me: That’s a beautiful story. It’s those little moments that really connect us. On the flip side, what’s the biggest misconception people have about your job?

Joe: I think the biggest one is that it’s easy or that we just drive around all day. People don’t realize how much we walk. I’m not just driving a truck; I’m out of the truck and on my feet for hours, walking up and down driveways, going up stairs, and navigating all kinds of terrain. On a good day, I’ll walk maybe 10 or 12 miles. Then there’s the physical aspect—some of those parcels can be really heavy, especially with the rise of online shopping.

Me: I imagine the weather is a huge factor. Rain, snow, scorching sun—you’re out in all of it. What’s the worst weather day you’ve had to work through?

Joe: Oh, definitely the heat. We had a heatwave a few summers ago where the temperature was well over 45 degrees, and the humidity was just brutal. I remember my uniform was completely drenched, and I had to stop every few blocks just to drink water and get a moment in the shade. It’s a real challenge, but I just have to keep going because people are waiting for their mail.

Me: You know, there’s a famous saying: “Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds.” Does that resonate with you, and if so, what drives that dedication?

Joe: It absolutely resonates. For me, it’s about a sense of duty. I’m the one who brings people their medicine, their social security checks, their birthday cards, and so much more. There’s a trust there. The people on my route are counting on me to show up, no matter what. Knowing that makes it easy to push through a tough day.

Me: It’s not just about letters and packages anymore. The nature of what you deliver has changed so much. Do you find that you’re delivering more parcels than letters these days? How has that shift changed your job?

Joe: The change has been dramatic. It used to be that letters were the bulk of my load, with a few packages here and there. Now, it’s the opposite. I’m delivering more and more parcels every single day, especially around the holidays. It’s made the job a lot more physically demanding, and it’s changed how I plan my day. I have to be more strategic about how I load my truck to make sure I can fit everything and get it to the right place efficiently.

Me: As someone who sees communities evolve from the ground up, what’s a subtle change you’ve noticed in a neighborhood you’ve been serving for a long time?

Joe: I’ve been on my route for ten years, and you really see the cycle of life. I’ve watched families move in, kids grow up and go to college, and some of the older residents I used to chat with are no longer with us. The most positive change is seeing how a neighborhood can become more connected. I’ve seen neighbors who barely spoke start looking out for each other, bringing in each other’s packages, and just generally being more friendly. It’s a nice thing to witness.

Me: Before we wrap up, I have one last question. What’s one thing you wish every person on your route knew or understood about you and your job?

Joe: I wish people knew that a small gesture goes a long way. A simple wave, a “hello,” or just saying thank you can brighten my whole day. And please, for the love of all that is holy, leash your dogs! Even the friendly ones can get a little excited when they see me, and it can be a real safety issue for everyone.

Me: That’s a perfect note to end on. Joe, thank you so much for coming on The People You Meet and sharing a glimpse into your world. It’s truly been an eye-opening conversation.

Joe: My pleasure.

Me: And that’s all for this week’s episode. Remember to say hi to your mail carrier—you never know what kind of story they might have. Join us next week when we talk to a new person with much to share…