Some of you may remember my earlier post about a free newspaper that lost the fight with my letterbox a couple of weeks back? The saga continued last Thursday, for I caught the paperboy in the act of cramming the next edition through.
I quickly opened the door, and called to him "Cooee! Can I have a word please?" as I beckoned him back to my pathway. Calmly, and pleasantly, in the circumstances, I gave a swift demonstration of how his life would be easier if he followed my simple method of folding the paper widthwise to make a short, stiff bundle , easy to push through the toughest letterbox flap.
He was a fairly good looking youngster - but spoilt by the scowl on his face, and his grumpy "So what?"attitude. "It's only a free paper, what does it matter?"
I quickly opened the door, and called to him "Cooee! Can I have a word please?" as I beckoned him back to my pathway. Calmly, and pleasantly, in the circumstances, I gave a swift demonstration of how his life would be easier if he followed my simple method of folding the paper widthwise to make a short, stiff bundle , easy to push through the toughest letterbox flap.
He was a fairly good looking youngster - but spoilt by the scowl on his face, and his grumpy "So what?"attitude. "It's only a free paper, what does it matter?"
"True, but you are getting paid to deliver it, and the people who advertise in it are paying for those ads. Besides, you'll find it far more satisfying if you always try to do your best, no matter how ordinary you think the task is that you're given." He went off muttering.
You must have left an impression on the youngster! :-)
ReplyDeleteLove those old letterboxes. I had one like that in Rome and our first home in DC. Still miss hearing the flap and then the dull thud of the letters.
Penny, you definitely made an impression on him! We have a mailbox so I don't have don't problem. Nice to know you were heard!
ReplyDeleteHe thought he was supposed to "Let 'er rip!"
ReplyDeleteHa, I hope he takes your advice and implements it. You never know though.
ReplyDeleteI have never seen such a neatly folded newspaper. Well done to paper boy. If it was the same paper boy. I hope so. Sometimes it just takes a while for useful information to sink into people's brains far enough that they can actually do something with it. And until that happens there will be lots of muttering ;-)
ReplyDeleteWell done for doing that! It is only a matter of common sense to roll the paper up and he was a bit rude to you. After all, as you said, he is getting paid to do it. Hope he has learned his lesson.
ReplyDeleteMaggie X
Nuts in May
Well done you, Pen. Us oldies shold always tell the young paper lads etc. how to behave. I always wanted to become that sort of old woman - you have given me confidence - I shall try it!
ReplyDeleteAnd I've been wearing purple for years! LOL
ReplyDeleteGreat story, I am sure that he has learnt his lesson, though I am sure he wouldn't have admitted it! (At that age, you don't like to be told and nonchalance is everything!) Keep us informed. :-)
ReplyDeleteI personally think that is a staged photograph, Jinksy, unless you had your camera at the ready at the exact instant the aforementioned paperboy was delivering your mail. Confess now, you set it all up afterward and made sure the lighting was just so, right?
ReplyDeleteFrom one of your thinking readers (and there are many, I'm sure.)
What a doubting Thomas you are RWP! That paper is exactly as it came through the door. My letterbox has a grip like a mule, and a paper will stay in the position it arrives in for hours, with no help from me. All I had to do was look, register what it was and leave it until I'd found my camera and set it to 'Auto' so that the lighting would be just right with no help from me. Any more questions?
ReplyDeleteYour Post Reminds Me Of When I Was A Paperboy in 1966.In Those Days, The Local Paper Had A "Sports Final" This Was Delivered on Saturday Afternoons. Even On The Day Of The World Cup Final I Had To Deliver The Sports News.While The Rest Of The Country Was Watching England Win The World Cup on TV I Had To Catch Glimpses Of The Game By Looking Through The Letterboxes Of The Houses On My Route.
ReplyDeleteJust Be Glad There Are No Eyes Looking Through Your Letterbox!!
he sent his dad to do his paper run!!!
ReplyDelete(I say...)
:D~
HUGZ
Good to know you got through to him. He needed a bit of a 'tude adjustment.
ReplyDelete