I knew what snail mail was, but I had never heard of Sea horse mail! A French invention probably... More seriously, this "discovery" coincides with news we received a few days ago from the French Post Office. They are considering giving up overnight delivery (at the moment, according to their stats, almost 84% of the letters sent to any destination within France arrive the next morning). Why? It's too expensive, uses to much energy... and is not necessarily required by the customers. When I saw that I thought it was really a shame, and then I started thinking "when was the last time I needed to send a letter that would reach its receiver in 24 hours?" I could not remember! Besides, I have e-Mail, Facebook, Twitter, and of course, PDP to get my messages across nowadays!
First Class Post here means nothing at all. The only way to guarantee next day delivery is by using the 'Next Day Delivery'service (surprisingly) and paying a big fat premium.
ReplyDeleteFunny photo. Did you photoshop it a bit? Or did you find it like that in the street?
ReplyDeleteReally uusual...
Sea Horse Mail! Eric, you are some comedian. You need to take your act on the road.
ReplyDeleteSue, I have lots of luck with USPS Priority Mail.
Seahorse mail - what a nice bit of whimsy. Here in the US the post office is thinking of cutting out Saturday delivery. This would be annoying, but with people using all the virtual media, postal income is dwindling. I still send cards and letters and subscribe to lots of magazines so I'm doing my bit to keep it going.
ReplyDeleteEric, how do you know about "snail mail"....too funny - the sea horse is cute, but the door is magnifique!
ReplyDeleteThat is the most adorable mailbox I have ever seen!!!
ReplyDeleteOH! Cute. I love it.
ReplyDeleteWould be a cool chess piece...Little Mermaid design. Ciao...I'm sick and must catch up with my nose...it's quick these days.
ReplyDeleteI noticed that, too, Maria. Enlarge the photo and you see this dark, carved door. Love it.
ReplyDeleteQuirky.. I love it!
ReplyDeleteVery funny find Eric. How do you keep your eyes on the road when you're always "passing by" something interesting?! I find the postal service here in France is fantastic compared to other parts of the world. However, if I really need something sent overnight, FedEx or DHL is fine for me.
ReplyDeleteThis is some cute mailbox ;-)
ReplyDeleteI think most postal services are cut back these years because of the reasons you mention, Eric.
The Danish postal service is getting worse and worse, 75% of the mail is delayed or never reach the destination because it's lost or stolen.
So if you want to make sure it's getting there you have to pay extra fees to get a receipt. So much for monopoly, they really need some competition !!!
I agree with Sue the British charges are getting ridiculous.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I value an overnight service. I like to send my parents little surprises or magazine cuttings my mother might be interested in, birthday cards (nobody sends those anymore?) and I don't want to send them early as they won't be there on THE day. Ok, I'm old fashioned. I also like the handwritten letter now and then. I also use FB, Twitter, email and PDP of course, but I wouldn't like to see handwriting and a reliable post die out altogether. I also love to send and receive postcards (yes Guille knows this! lol hers have graced my mantelpiece proudly - also others I have treasured to receive ;) thank you I don't want a life without postcards. I guess they don't have to be overnight... ok... :) I can compromise..lol
I don't want a life without postcards doesn't mean I'd die without them! lol let's not get carried away. Bad phrasing! I hasten to add it just means life is a little more pleasant with them in it. :)
ReplyDeleteI can add that I recently waited just over three weeks for some printing to arrive and that was just awful. How does business survive with that sort of postage? Grr. Well it was slow service from the company too but still... oh dear you've got me started now. Better go and do something else. :D
ReplyDeleteI received two postcards from Bretagne ysterday along with some sand from the beach. Much appreciated. Looking forward to sending some of my own from Paris next week. Jaq
ReplyDeleteJust realised I got GF! I'm delighted :))))
ReplyDeleteSue, stick a first class stamp on your crown!
ReplyDeleteI've got a few shares in various companies (nothing to write home about, boom, boom!) and despite repeated requests to have my little dividends paid automatically into my bank account, I still prefer receiving them by post.
I know it sounds silly, but one of life's little pleasures is opening an envelope with a cheque inside, made out to you!
Oh, I want one! How adorable. Nice catch, Eric. {I'm glad this one didn't need to be thrown back into the water.}
ReplyDeleteSue, GF, yayyyy!
I love 'old-fashioned' mail, both sending and receiving. Even better when they have pretty stamps on them.
Coltrane ~ get well soon!
Wow, the French Post Office should come to America and teach our people how to deliver mail. The fastest we can get things to each other is about 2 days, and that's if we both live in easy-to-get-to places. Sending something to Alaska? Perhaps 5 days. It's like we're still using the Pony Express! Congrats to the French government for figuring out how to be efficient and effective at their jobs.
ReplyDeleteI have a postcard to send : which address have I to write on the envelope so that the hippocampe can read it... ? LOL
ReplyDeleteHa! Very funny, Eric! Cool photo too.
ReplyDeleteI agree with all of you who would be sad to see the end of actual chatty handwritten letters that arrive in your mailbox—always a pleasure to receive.
Hey, Coltrane, take care!
Sorry you're unwell, Coltrane. How many get well cards have you received in the post? ;)
ReplyDeleteDrummond I would quite like to receive those sort of envelopes in the post!
I really do find it ............
ReplyDeleteSea horse mail? Remember that the seahorse is unusual for a number of reasons. The fertilzied eggs mature within the seahorse MALE. So, just what is going on with this pretty little filly figure on the postal box? When will it deliver? Overnight?
ReplyDeleteawe jeff...you cracked me up! HA!
ReplyDeleteJeff, All we have to do is look up the gestation period for the male and cut it in half.
ReplyDelete;)
I assume you were speaking only half in gest...
ReplyDeleteGood night beautiful sea horse.
ReplyDeleteWhite against black and yellow.
Awesome encounter, I have to say !
Jeff...love it man! I bow to that last 'jest' or 'gest'! ;-)
ReplyDeleteShell, Alexa, Lynn...thanks for the kind thoughts. I really was hit hard with the flu, but I don't think it was THE FLU! At least I hope not...and that is no jest. Taking it easy now and actually trying to get some sleep...for a few of you who know me, you can attest I am a bit of a nightowl.
Coltrane ~ Being a musician comes with a night owl gene, doesn't it? It kicks in Round Midnight. {Seriously, though, do take it easy and try to rest.}
ReplyDeleteHmmm got it well...
ReplyDeleteYellow is fine but all I tried to find it so far failed.
Call you "opportuniste" :)
Hold on.