Just been to my village Post Office - never again!
I hadn't been before - I moved to this village from another rural village a few months ago - but this afternoon, at around 17:15, I needed to send an important letter.
So I plodded up to the Post Office, walked in (the door chimed) - and about two minutes later, the lady who runs the place (and lives behind it too) came out from where she had been eating her supper (no complaints here - it's her own house, and why shouldn't she eat her supper?) - but I could tell immediately that she was not very grateful to me at all for rudely interrupting her meal.
"Have you had your last collection?" I enquired - she nodded. I could have driven into town, but by then the Post Office there would probably have closed - ah well, the letter wasn't so important that I needed it to arrive the next day - as long as it arrived, and I got proof, that'd be fine.
"I'd like a £1 postal order, and also I'd like to send this letter by either Signed For or Special Delivery, please." I said, handing her my unsealed envelope. She looked at her watch.
"We're almost closed." (There were more than 5 minutes until closing time). She reluctantly got me the postal order, and put it in the envelope - but did not seal it.
"Would you be able to tell me how much it would be to send it Signed For?" - she told me the price. "And Special Delivery? OK, I'll send it as a Special Delivery."
She frowned, and snapped: "You know it won't arrive tomorrow then?? So what's the point?"
I thought this was quite rude - I'd already asked about the last collection, and I wanted to ensure that the letter would indeed arrive - even if it would be in two days. She was about to put the letter into the sack, when I politely reminded her that it wasn't sealed, because I'd left it open for the postal order to be put in. She didn't like this at all, and snapped "I was getting to that!"
Now, I don't like complaining, and I shan't complain to anyone about this (apart from you lot) - but I will drive the extra mile to the next village and use their post office instead!
Also, funnily enough, on the receipt for the Special Delivery, it says: 'Sent after last collection? No'.....
Does that mean I could kick up a fuss if it doesn't arrive the next day?