Maybe I overthink. Or I could just put a card into an envelope. Example. I drew a name of someone who said they like to read. I have a set of cards all book related, and many show images of books/titles/authors/libraries. But then I worried that maybe there was censorship. So I used a card that showed interesting libraries because it showed one from their country, but then After writing the card I googled the library and it supposedly had been closed down.
I even think about the stamps too. Just wondering what others think. Thanks!
I do think about it but not so much about choosing a card, but more about what I write. Itâs good to be interested in the country & the person you are writing to, including doing some research, but most postcards are pretty straightforward images & not problematic.
The one thing I try to do, if requested, is put the card in an envelope - I suspect sometimes that request is a way to protect against censorship or protecting their privacy.
If youâre sending them something they like & request, itâs pretty hard to go wrong eh?
I follow politics quite closely, but I know most people donât and you donât have any idea usually what their politics are, so I usually donât comment on recent events, unless I get some clear info from their profile of their interests or views.
Remember this is a fun hobby, so donât worry, just go with your gut & youâll be fine most times.
Iâve had the same thoughts when sending Penguin Book covers, especially of books that make reference to politics, communism, or have explicit covers. If I found someone who likes them but lives in an authoritarian country, Iâd place them in an envelope like @LC-Canada suggested.
If I was concerned that sending one of their requested cards could get them in trouble with their neighbors or the government, I would message them to ask if they would want the card in an envelope. Or if I didnât want to spoil the surprise, just send a different card that they would also like.
In terms of causing offense, I generally avoid stamps and postcards that celebrate war, unless someone specifically requested them.
Ultimately, if itâs something they request, presumably they would be happy to receive it.
I usually donât think about that. Instead, when someone mentions religion a lot in their profile, Iâd rather choose a âuncomplicatedâ card, as it recently happened to me. I donât want to hurt peopleâs feelings because I donât have insight into such things, myself being an atheist without so much knowledge about different religions.
Generally I only think of this if itâs mentioned in the profile. I do remember a couple of instances where someone requested a certain type of card and on receipt stated it had been considered inappropriate and sharpied away. I would in this case double check before sending anything similar to the same region. Most people tend to be aware of it and mention it in their profile if itâs relevant.
no i donât. but i donât think i have such cards that i have to think about twice. i donât have any card with religion (maybe churches but i keep them for people who specifically ask for them), war or politics. or bad jokes. i wouldnât think twice about sending cards with books to anyone who asks for books though. though now iâve come to think about it maybe i should. like is it okay to send mulan to china?
i wouldnât mind a card with a library that has closed at all. in a few years thatâs considered vintage and very cool
only thing i try to remember is not use my red pen when writing to asia, as iâve read somewhere that is not okay.
Images perhaps, but I definitely tried to be mindful during holiday/Christmas season not to wish people in mostly Muslim countries a Merry Christmas.
We use Happy Holidays/Seasonâs Greetings a lot in Canada as it can cover off Hanukkah, Kwanza, Diwali & other religious/cultural holidays that arenât Christian & it can be more inclusive.
Itâs also good to wish people good wishes for their specific holidays , if appropriate, like Eid Mubarak or Happy Hanukkah for example.
What Iâve realized living in Turkey is that even âhappy holidaysâ is weird when there arenât any holidays around that time period. I mean, New Yearâs ⌠but itâs not usually included in âhappy holidaysâ and also not really something you wish someone in early December.
Yeah, Iâd include New Years in the holidays and sometimes the holidays are just days off work, not an actual statutory or religious holiday.
But yes, I sent some cards to Turkey during that time and I may have said something about the New Year or a wishing for a better 2021, but nothing else.
Usually I focus on the profile and completely forget whatever I know or donât about the countryâs situation when I pick a card.
Therefore, I am happy when someone includes in their profile a notice if there is something to avoid, Otherwise, for example, if I got a Postcrosser from a strict Muslim country I might completely forget that images of people could be problematic.
I wouldnât send a âproblematicâ card in even an envelope, especially if it could really get someone in trouble (card of a sexy nude male to a guy in a country where homosexuality is illegal, for example), even if the profile said âsend these cards only in an envelope.â It hasnât happened often, but I have had envelopes damaged or opened along the way, and I would really hate it if my card got someone in trouble.
I once got an address for someone in Germany and pretty much the only thing on their wishlist was a postcard of cathedrals. The only postcard I had which matched their profile was a postcard of the ruins of Coventry Cathedral - an old iconic structure which now stands proud in the city centre.
Coventry is a nearby city which was heavily bombed during the Battle of Britain in WWII and the cathedral was destroyed by the Luftwaffe during the âCoventry Blitzâ. I have sent a few of these postcards telling the story because I am fascinated by the history surrounding it. However, I was very hesitant and unsure if it was acceptable to send this specific card and story to Germany, so I didnât send it. But that also made me sad because I couldnât fulfill their wishlist.
I personally would be delighted to receive a similar postcard from other countries to learn about our past (good or bad), but itâs difficult to understand how the other person will acknowledge this.
Honestly, how would you feel regarding this situation? I would really appreciate to hear opinions.
I really like your thoughts, but as a German who is very aware of our history I can only say I would have been totally okay to receive this card. Itâs part of our history. So donât feel shy to send it, it would mean that the war is somehow not over.
As long as you donât blame the recipient a la âlook what you (your parents/your evil country) didâ, I think it would be fine. In fact, it is said that Germans are among the nations that are most aware of the dark facts of their own past. Maybe even the nation most aware.
Imho, the best text would go something like âhow lucky we can be that we found much better ways to treat each other, letâs hope that peace will remain and grow stronger all over the worldâ. Something acknowledging the past, but looking towards the future.
Unfortunately itâs difficult, here, to find postcards, and so I donât have many choices. I only be careful about peopleâs requests in their profiles.
And I try to do the best to make them happy, not only for the postcard, but even for the content
Iâm not sure how I would feel about receiving this card. The card itself is really pretty, but if you write something along the lines of âthis church was destroyed by the Germans in World War IIâ I donât think I would feel comfortable. I guess it depends on the person but itâs better to be safe than sorry!
I really like the card and I know the story of the Coventry Cathedral. I would avoid writing âthe germansâ because not all germans bombed the church or agreed in what happened during wartime. I would write - if you want to mention it - âthe nazisâ . Or only say: the cathedral got destroyed during WW2.I think most people will be aware who threw the bombs.
@GrapeGirl I think you asked a good question. Yes I do consider if a card or the words I write might hurt peoples feelings or bring them in danger because Iâve met so many refugees from all over the world, even from countries you might think are safe.
Postcrossing though is a hobby and should bring joy to you and the person you write a card to. I think if you stick to someones profile and avoid talking about politics youâre quite safe. And I would avoid telling about LHBGT or send a card with this theme if a person lives in a country where itâs forbidden even not send in an envellop.
Luckely most of the time you donât have to worry about that and just enjoy choosingand writing a nice card. Just have fun.
@meidans, @juanaviviane, @Stevyy and @Akua2909, thank you. I didnât send it, I was concerned that no matter how I wrote it, it may be taken the wrong way! Of course, I would not be pointing fingers or blaming people. My country has done some horrendous acts in the past and although I would be excited to learn about them, I understand not everyone can feel the same. I really appreciate your thoughts on this!
