to be upset by the postman's impatience with me

[pippinandtog]

The postman has just rung the doorbell to deliver a parcel and I was a bit slow answering the door, although only a couple of minutes: I am not quick on my pins at the moment, as I'm recovering from a fractured ankle, and need to put on leg brace and hobble to door on crutches.
When I opened the door, the postman was already on his way to leave the parcel next door, and I called to him and apologised- he stood still and held the parcel out to me.
I was just a few yards away from him, but at the top of steep steps, and I asked him to walk to me as I struggle with the steps.
He did so, but did not speak or make eye contact with me, and was tutting and shaking his head.
I came inside and felt like crying.
I know I am probably feeling particularly vulnerable just now, but a pleasant word and a smile would have cost him nothing.
I wouldn't dream of being so unpleasant to someone, and don't understand why people can't just be kind.

[LordoftheTits]

I'm sorry to hear that he was so rude, that was unforgivable. The waiting, however, is just part of the job now. DH is a postman and his office have merged so many rounds plus the management follow them around to time them. There is also a new rule where they must try both neighbours if the person isn't home so the work has doubled with no extra time or money given to compensate. It's not a job I'd want!

[YouOKHun]

It would have been better if he'd behaved differently but he didn't, you can't do a thing about it but you can control how you respond to it. I work in an environment were we are often at the receiving end of negative (and sometimes aggressive) behaviour and I always think that people are separate from their behaviour, i.e the postie is not a bad person, he just didn't behave so well at that time, and we all do that sometimes don't we? I also tend to think that people's reactions are ultimately about them not you - who knows what's happened to him this morning - maybe a sad event, illness, worry. I'm not trying to justify rudeness but trying to quantify it in a way that stops it spoiling your day any further!

[candybar007]

A few years back RM did a major time and motion survey so posties are now told how long they have to do the round but agree he shouldnt treat you like that. Put a little note up by the doorbell - Sorry recent op means Im a little slower than normal - Thankyou.

[MatildaTheCat]

I'm very slow due to a spinal issue and am often resting on my bed, two flights up when the doorbell goes. I start going down and then shout out, 'I'm coming,' so they know I'm on my way. I then apologise for being slow. Mostly they are ok, delivery drivers are more rude than postie generally.

YANBU, get well soon.

[toomuchtooold]

He was an arse, but I hope you'll consider not complaining, at least not the first time. It's quite a pressured job these days and you don't have much time to wait between calls. Now that he knows you're slow you'll probably find he'll ring your bell and then do your neighbour's mail while he's waiting, that's what I used to do.

[pippinandtog]

No, I wouldn't make a complaint, toomuchtooold.
Rise above it.

[LADLX]

Putting a notice on your door is a great idea which will at least notify the postman of our disability atm at least.

As someone mentioned above, a few minutes is a long time but, I do personally find postmen these days quite rude and impatient too.

The ones that deliver to me in Buckhurst hill ring the bell and walk away at the same time so that they don't have to wait at your door but can quickly go and ring next door's bell, then they deliver to whoever comes to the door first, often telling my neighbour they belled me but, I'm not in so can they sign for my packages!

I think they need retraining.

[TreadSoftlyOnMyDreams]

Put a note up on the door, that will help with rudeness.

I think you need to let stuff like this wash over you a bit. He could have been having a shit day all of his own - that's not your problem.

[gandalf456]

I used to have a postie who hammered on the door for the first knock. It used to really get to me because my children were small then and it would wake them up and they would be unsettled all day. One said frostily that she did it because people weren't hearing her and answering the door like 'huh?' Even so, I thought the attitude was poor so told her the baby was awake now and she didn't do it again. In fact, she left shortly after. I think you do need to be a bit more personable in that sort of job. I work in retail so, God knows, I know what certain members of the public can be like but you can't grow cynical and tar everyone with the same brush.

[OhGodWhatTheHellNow]

Ah well kali Hermes round here send an email saying that no one was in, so they don't actually have to drive out to us. Clever, eh?

And no amount of complaining has stopped this practice.

Oh well.

[kali110]

oh i refuse to have anything to do with hermes. According to fb i am not the only one. I have seen numerous posts recently from people stating they would not use a conpany whilst they were using hermes. Can't say i blame them!
I have only had 1 good hermes delivery, the rest were either thrown over my fence, gate, put in a dustbin, under my doormat or simply not even there ( or stolen) or not even attempted to deliever. ( just put a you were not in note through my door when i was in). I unknowingly gave them another go last year, things have not changed!

[WreckingBallsInsideMyHead]

I don't think hwbu not to have waited

However when he saw you and that you were struggling he should have been more helpful