Brits of Cards

[theoriginalmadambee]

Not house of cards, but I'm wondering, what is it with Brits and cards? (just seen a deleted thread about engagement cards) .

Admit I'm foreign, and curious about your traditions involving cards. Here on MN it seems to be a big thing, I have seen threads suggesting just bringing a card for a wedding instead of a gift. Posters being overly disappointed by not receiving a card, although they did get a gift.

It has been ages since I send a card. I congratulate people in person, on the phone, send a text or email. Here I think it is considered old fashioned, unless it's for the very elderly or children.

Not judging just curious .

I like a card if it is well chosen and/or has a meaningful personal message. A generic card with a signature scrawled inside is completely worthless IMO that’s why I no longer do Christmas cards . That being said, I’d much rather just get a card, even a thoughtless/meaningless one than a thoughtless/meaningless gift, simply because there’s less guilt around recycling a card. don’t think this is uniquely British though. In America the greeting card shops are huge and have cards for events I haven’t even heard of including cards for dogs!

The poster who was reconsidering her bridesmaid was completely odd IMO. If I’ve met a friend and hugged them and congratulated them on their engagement I’m not going to then follow up with a card.

We invented the postal service, so need to use it for something!

Cards are important as they allow us not to actually meet up with people!

I send my close friends (maybe six or seven people) and my siblings birthday cards in the post, although sometimes a day or two late! I think it is nice to mark the day with something more than a FB or Whatsapp message, and I love choosing appropriate cards. If I was seeing someone on their birthday I would take a card, even if I wouldn't normally post them one. I also send Christmas cards to friends and relatives. I would probably take a card to a wedding, haven't been to one for ages. There's also Mothers Day, Fathers Day and Valentines Day. I think that's it. Also of course birthday cards for children in the family and children whose parties my kids have been invited to (plus gift)

Cards are important as they allow us not to actually meet up with people

@JaneDacre love your explanation . I think what finished off most people sending Christmas cards here, was the shit postal services (we pay in excess of £2 per letter to be delivered within 5 days (normally more)).

But why do some of you value a card higher than a phone call or a gift?

See you point about recycling Icecreamdiva

Well, British social etiquette is so flipping complex, it's far easier just to write. And it's cold or raining, or both, for more than half the year, so going to meet people isn't fun.
If one telephones there is all the awkwardness of having to speak yet avoid answering personal questions.
There's a great list, possibly originating on BuzzFeed or similar, of "what Brits say. What other nationals think they mean. What Brits mean".
It's hilarious but so true!!

I have seen the 'what brits say', hilarious, but if I'm honest we have this too .

Read about PA ways of ending a letter. I was frankly shocked, think I might have offended people with regards, best regards etc. didn't know that could be PA, think I will settle with 'love' from now on.