Postcard Ettiquette
When we send home a postcard, what are our motives? Is it to make sure that the people at home know we made it there in one piece? Is it to tell them what the exotic location is like?
Patti Miller has a different idea of why we send postcards:
“We claim it’s simply to stay in touch, but brief introspection will lead us to the real motive—to demonstrate that our life is much better than our friends’ or family’s at this moment,” writes Patti Miller in the Sydney Morning Herald. “We have the opportunity, at least for a couple of weeks, to create an enviable life.”
She suggests telling the truth about your experience. Sure that’s a good idea, but I think it’s always a better idea to describe a specific moment on your trip. For example:
“I’m sitting in a cafe on the main strip of the town and I’m thinking of you. The food here tastes just like the food at home, but somehow it’s better just because I’m on vacation. When I look out the window, I can see the rain. We didn’t think we’d get any rain on this trip, but here it is. We’re planning on riding our bikes on Slick Rock tomorrow. If I never see you again, just know I was having fun while I was here.”
I mostly write postcards for kids. It seems like kids like to get mail of their own, whereas adults don’t really care. Maybe I’m wrong, but I only send postcards to people who want to get mail. Otherwise, what’s the point?