Waiting in line at the Post Office

I had to go to the post office this morning. This is something I try to avoid at all cost, having had dreadful experiences with this sort of thing for years.

First, always, there is the people-watching opportunity. This is not a group ready for prime time. At least I always expect ‘characters’ at the post office. And sure enough, in walked a woman easily in her mid-to-late 40s – wearing the shortest skirt I have ever seen outside of a skating rink. Substantial ‘pins’ on her too. She looked like a circus elephant in costume. Oh well.

It’s a ‘new’ post office, from the old days. All kinds of merchandise is now available, including some quite-nice mailing supplies – colored boxes and envelopes with big designs… and toys, designed to be demanded by all the little kids who are whining while their parents are waiting in line. (And I can certainly attest to its efficacy.) We are talking ‘impulse’ buying here. Point-of-sale, psychological appeal stuff.

I get that. Stamp collectors, people with mailing needs, whiny kids...

But who do they think will be attracted to the Thurgood Marshall lapel pin they have for sale?