NSFW: Why are UK post offices, so far behind other countries?

I must warn you before I go any further, this is a rant, a big one at that, it’s NSFW and will likely contain some swearing.

I want to start by explaining my utter foul hatred of the UK post office, and the postal system. We are continually plagued with stories about postal workers striking, and more often than not, lost letters, and misdirected post. I’ve never been a fan of the post office, and there are a number of reasons for it, but primarily, my hatred is based toward the postal staff rather than the service.

I have never once been served by someone who is helpful, happy, or even just ‘content’. Moreover every time I have been served, It’s been rude, aggressive, and in some cases, violent. I must also stress that I am never rude or aggressive when dealing with these people, as my father taught me “you will never get anything by being aggressive”.

Take one example, last night. For the first time in years I was faced with such despicable service that not only was I left enraged, but I was left feeling like I actually wanted to punch someone. Again, I stress I would never do it. I’ll talk about it, I’ll go outside sit in the car and vent my frustration by repeatedly smacking the steering wheel, but I would never EVER become physically violent.

The example of the other night, was where I wanted to tax my car. Now the post office themselves say that they do not normally accept self printed insurance certificates, however a post office worker is allowed to use their discretion. So I decided I would go and try, since my certificate had not arrived yet. I used dayinsure, and printed a perfectly legal, valid certificate.

I went, I queried and was immediately met with a hostile, aggressive natured staff member who, with a loud smack on the desk as she slammed her palm on it, screamed out “Why the HELL don’t you read the signs, we won’t take it, not now not ever!” I would love to say this is a one off, but sadly it’s not, on other occasions where I’ve come to send a letter I’ve been met with a similarly hostile attitude…. more on that in a moment.

I’d love to say that I was able to respond in kind and get a tax disk, unfortunately it wasn’t the case. Again, I’ll point out that I wasn’t unhappy with being denied the tax disk, they have a right to use discretion and they denied it, seems fair. To do it in that way however, isn’t right. I politely asked if there was any other way as I would have to drive the car untaxed or pay for a low loader to take the vehicle from the garage to somewhere off the road, at which point several other staff members did, what I can only describe as, ganged up on me. Four female staff members then proceeded to quite literally, throw various pieces of paper explaining about printed documents, one pristinely laminated sheet hit me square in the face.

At which point I picked up the paper, pointed out the part about discretion and then left. Two of the staff members remained silent, the other two instead of saying nothing, shouted after me by simply saying “yeah well f*** you!”.

How wonderful that such a thing could happen. As I said before, this is not a rare occurrence. I had to send a package not that long ago, quite a large one, and so paid for the postage online. With the post office themselves, that explained I could take the parcel to any post office with the notes. I promptly did this, following all of the instructions and took it to the post office.

The staff there repeatedly tutted and sighed, before shouting at me for giving them this strange thing to process. One attendant, after I had explained that I had paid online and was instructed to take to the nearest post office, sighed loudly, shouted “F***ing hell” and then threw her pen at the window with such force that ink actually splattered the inside of the screen”. She then tried to charge me the full amount and only after requesting to speak to the area manager, did she give in, ‘read’ the details and then take the package.

I’ve witnessed other similar things happen to other people, recorded delivery is apparently not the norm, and neither is taking money out of the post office bank. One poor elderly lady was shouted out for being “so far f***ing past it” when she was having trouble with the PIN entry pad and being told to “get a f***ing minder”.

Even on collection of parcels, I’m met with a hint of discontent, and an attitude that would not look out of place wearing an Umbro hoodie and Nike trainers.

Post offices in the UK also have a wonderful thing of ‘half days’ on thursdays. We live now in such a 24/7 world that the post office lags behind dramatically. Why is it the Post Office needs a half day? Why on earth is it that I send a first class letter, that it can take up to two weeks to arrive? and why is it that around my area the postman simply fails to show up on occasion, not just my house, but the entire area.

I’m very sorry to say this, but with the spate of post offices that are closing I can only say good riddance. Not only are they almost permanently vacant, but the staff are so foul and rude that the office is uninhabitable on account of the lack of space for you and their ego’s.

I know there is a valuable need for post offices, but please, I think it’s time a private service took over, one that isn’t afraid to discipline wildcat staff.