Sending postcards is old-fashioned. With the hassle of finding a stamp, a post office or a mailbox, many travelers have stopped sending postcards entirely. Emails, Facebook messages and immediate, free phone calls and chats via Skype have replaced this quaint, traditional postal method.
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But there is still a charm to sending (and receiving) one of those old-fashioned cards. Here are five reasons why writing a postcard is still worth it.
#1: You’ll Stand Out from the Crowd
As your fellow travelers are busy hammering away at their keyboards or “virtually” typing on their iPhones, you can take out a pen with style. Sit in the sun at a cafe, or even at the beach, and simply start writing. Unlike your computer, you won’t even have to worry about getting the postcard wet. Also, thieves are likely to follow you for expensive technological devices, but probably not for a postcard.
Moreover, you will stand out from the crowd on the receiving end. With everyone sending emails and instant messages, the receiver will value your personal and handwritten effort. Especially if you are writing a message to your loved ones, they will feel the love emanating from the postcard. It’s also a way to show a crush of yours that you really like them (insert emoticon here). Probably going to be more successful than just poking the person in question on Facebook, no?
© angus mcdiarmid
#2: You Don’t Need To Fight for an Electricity Plug
Airports are notorious for having travelers fighting over the only electricity plug. Similarly, in buses and trains you often have to pick your spot depending on where the nearest outlet is.
With a postcard, you won’t have any of these hassles. Again, you just take out your pen, start writing and simply pen down what comes to mind. You can be as informal as you like, and even begin drawing if you’re so inspired. With an email message, that would be a little more difficult. Write in the form of a heart, for example, to someone that you really care about. Again, something else that is really difficult to do if you are using email.
#3: It Won’t Get Erased When Your Computer Crashes
If you are typing a message in Microsoft Word or in your browser, it often happens that either the window stops responding, the internet connection breaks down, or you run out of battery. Especially when traveling, technology is not always stable.
With a postcard, there isn’t much that can happen in this regard. After buying the postcard, you do need to make sure that you don’t lose it, obviously. In the worst case, you could even buy a new one, they aren’t that expensive. In fact, most stores offer a protective sleeve so that they don’t get dirty. Stamps, too, are easily available and you can drop the cards off at most hotels.
Postcard from the Edge © Abby Lanes
#4: Hackers Won’t Be Able To Read It
Sure, during World War II, for example, the postcards and letters were read by adversaries. In the modern world, however, this tendency has quieted down, and as long as you don’t write anything incriminating, you shouldn’t have a problem.
On the Internet, in contrast, you run the risk of someone hacking into your email or Facebook account. Identity theft due to the Internet is becoming more and more common, and credit card frauds occur by the minute. With a postcard, you run very little risk of having someone find out all about you and use your postcard to take advantage of your personal data.
#5: Your Card Might Decorate Someone’s Home
Several times, I’ve returned home and my postcards from abroad have decorated my friends’ and family’s homes. Not only did that make me feel special and appreciated, but it also served as a vicarious transport back to my trip.
Through a postcard, both you and the receiver can connect and remember the place in question. Have you heard of someone printing out an email and hanging it up on their wall? Probably not.
Emails aren’t pretty, whereas postcards are. The messages they contain resonate on a personal note, and show a degree of effort on the part of the receiver. Not only did he or she go out and buy the card, send it, but they also knew the address of the receiver. In the modern world, this is less and less common.
When people ask me (by email, usually) for my mail address, I usually wonder why? Then I receive a letter or postcard shortly after. Now I understand. There are still a few out there who like traditional methods of communication, and sending a postcard is among them. With so many different styles to choose from, every person should be able to find a card that suits them.
If not, you can always craft your own postcards. Whether that means using your own creative talent, or ordering personal postcards, for example at moo.com, is up to you. Be inspired by your travels and enjoy!