Postcrossing is a unique platform that connects people across the globe through the simple sharing of postcards. With over 700,000 members across 200 countries, it has grown into a vibrant community centered around random postcard exchange.
As with any community, Postcrossing comes with its own set of etiquette guidelines. Following proper etiquette is essential for ensuring positive interactions and maintaining the welcoming spirit of Postcrossing. Whether you’re a seasoned postcrosser or just starting out, this comprehensive guide will provide you with tips and advice for exhibiting impeccable Postcrossing etiquette.
Getting Started: The Postcrossing Registration Process
The very first step to joining the Postcrossing community is creating an account on postcrossing.com. Registration is simple – just enter your name, address, and a username and password.
Once registered, you’ll be assigned a Postcrossing ID number which serves as your unique identifier on the platform. This ID number will be printed on the postcards you send out so recipients can register them under your profile.
When signing up, take care to provide accurate information, especially your mailing address. This ensures you don’t miss out on receiving postcards from fellow Postcrossers!
Key Etiquette Practices for Outgoing Postcards
The Postcrossing experience revolves around sending and receiving surprise postcards from around the world. As a sender, there are several etiquette guidelines to keep in mind.
Register Sent Postcards Promptly
As soon as you drop a postcard in the mail, go online and mark it as “Sent” under your profile. This alerts the recipient to watch their mailbox for your card’s arrival.
Leaving postcards sitting in limbo can frustrate recipients. Prompt registration also helps Postcrossing track stats and keep the cycle of card exchange flowing smoothly.
Try to register cards within 1-2 days of mailing them. If you’ll be away and unable to access the internet, register your sent cards in advance before your trip.
Write Thoughtful Personal Messages
Don’t just scribble your name and username. Take a few minutes to write a warm, thoughtful message on each postcard you send. Share a fun fact about your hometown, recommend a book you recently enjoyed, or tell the recipient what inspired you to send that particular card.
Personal messages add meaning and help form connections. They also provide recipients with a treasured souvenir to look back on.
Keep in mind cultural sensitivities and avoid politics, religion, or other potentially divisive topics. Focus your message on positivity.
Respect Recipient Preferences
Before selecting a postcard to send, check the recipient’s profile for any preferences or requests. Some members may ask for cards related to certain topics like architecture, nature, or cats. Others may prefer not to receive religious or touristy cards.
Doing your best to honor recipient requests contributes to a considerate Postcrossing culture. If you can’t accommodate a preference, simply move on to another match.
With over 700k members, there’s an abundance of potential recipients, so being choosy is understandable. However, try not to make ultra-specific or unreasonable requests, as this can sour the Postcrossing experience.
Use Common Sense When Selecting Cards
Put some thought into the postcards you choose to send. Steer clear of cards with questionable language or imagery that could offend.
Avoid sending:
- Cards with private personal photos or information
- Politically-charged or nationalistic postcards
- Cards related to controversial organizations or figures
- Anything that could be perceived as racist, sexist, or hurtful
Err on the side of caution – if it gives you pause, it’s best to pick a more neutral card. Spread positivity and goodwill through your postcard selections.
Key Etiquette Practices for Incoming Postcards
As exciting as it is to receive surprise mail from around the globe, there are some important etiquette rules for incoming postcards as well.
Register Received Cards Promptly
Just as you want senders to register cards you’ve mailed, you should do the same when you receive postcards. Login and mark incoming cards as “Received” right away. This lets the sender know their card arrived safely.
Waiting weeks or months to register received cards is inconsiderate towards senders. It also skews Postcrossing statistics on mail reliability and timing.
Shoot to register within 1-2 days of receiving a postcard. If life gets busy, set phone reminders to log your incoming mail regularly.
Post Thank You Comments
After registering a received card, take a moment to leave a thank you comment on the sender’s profile page. Share what you enjoyed about their postcard and message. Thank you comments foster community and put smiles on senders’ faces!
If you receive an exceptional card, give the sender a shoutout by checking “Favorite” under their profile pic. This elevates their Super Postcrosser status.
If a card arrives damaged, politely let the sender know in your comment. This helps them improve their packaging methods.
Rate Your Experience Honestly
Postcrossing members rely on rating systems to evaluate potential recipients. After registering an incoming card, give the overall experience a 1-5 star rating.
Base your rating on:
- The sender’s effort and thoughtfulness
- Their adherence to your profile requests/preferences
- The postcard condition upon arrival
- The quality of their personal message
Honest ratings help ensure positive exchanges and identify any problem senders. If an issue arises, contact the sender politely by PM before leaving negative feedback.
Handling Common Postcrossing Issues with Grace
Even with the best intentions, hiccups happen. Postcards can get lost or damaged. Members may drift inactive. When problems arise, keep Postcrossing etiquette in mind.
Lost or Missing Mail
With over 5 million postcards mailed annually, occasional losses are inevitable. If you haven’t received a card within 6 weeks of it being registered as sent, it’s likely lost.
Contact the sender politely by PM to inform them. Don’t demand they re-send a card, but let them decide if they’d like to send a replacement. Loss is no one’s fault.
If your outgoing card never registers as received, wait 8-10 weeks before messaging the recipient. Mail between distant countries can take 2 months in some cases.
Damaged or Soiled Mail
Despite best packaging efforts, postcards sometimes arrive damaged or soiled. If a card is still legible/intact, register it normally and let the sender know gently in your comment.
For cards too damaged or soiled to salvage, register as “Lost in Mail” so the sender’s slot becomes available again. Take a photo to include in your PM informing the sender.
Inactive Recipients
If your matched recipient has been inactive for over a month, you can click “New Match” to be assigned a new recipient. This ensures your postcard gets mailed out in a timely manner.
Before abandoning an inactive match, consider PMing them. Life events may have caused a temporary pause in their Postcrossing. If no response after 2 weeks, then request a new match.
Rudeness or Harassment
Postcrossers typically maintain excellent conduct. However, misunderstandings and disagreements do occasionally arise.
If faced with a rude member, avoid retaliating in kind. Respond politely by PM to share how their words or actions affected you. If no resolution, you can block them.
For harassment or threats, report the user to Postcrossing by email. Let staff handle discipline appropriately.
Wrapping Up: Spreading Postcrossing Positivity
Postcrossing thrives on mutual respect, kindness, and community. By following proper etiquette, you create a welcoming environment that keeps fellow postcrossers excited to participate.
As you navigate the world of postcard exchange, remember that simple practices like prompt registration, thoughtful messages, and honest feedback enable Postcrossing to succeed. Always trade postcards in ways that spread positivity.
Ready to start exploring the planet one postcard at a time? Sign up for Postcrossing using this registration link. With a spirit of adventure and appreciation for this global community, you’ll be embarking on a journey full of happy mail and new friendships.
Happy Postcrossing! Let the mailing begin.