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I'm hoping you can solve some arguments for me. This year and last year the hubster and I have gotten in to arguments when addressing Christmas cards. Sad, I know! Well anyway...he says that you cannot send a letter in the mail without a last name. I say you can, and I have; I've even sent stuff addressed to "Grandma" or "Mom" or even without a name at all and just an address. He says you can't address letters in red ink because the machines can't read it. I say you can and I have, as well as in pink, green, purple, you name it.
His point is that we should make it as easy on the postal worker as possible. I'm all for that. But does it make it hard on the postal worker if I don't include a last name (sometimes we send a card to two or more people at one address with different last names so it's easier to address it to just their first names). Is it true that the machines have trouble reading certain colors?
What other postal etiquette would you suggest?
I address stuff to 'Grandma Smith' or 'Uncle [full name]... They really only go by the address. I always personalize the cards I'm sending, so whatever's on the outside really doesn't matter.
Yes, use only blue or black ink on the envelopes; other colors can run in the unlikely event they get wet, and can fade when exposed to sun/light for too long.
I used to work at the USPS (left almost a year ago). The machines can read any color ink but your best bet is to print clearly. Your letters will get there quicker since they'll go through the machines and won't have to get hand sorted. You do not need to put last names on anything. Letters are sorted by machine based on ZIP code and then address. The machines do not look at the names AT ALL. It's possible your Postal carrier might look at the names to confirm that the machines sorted everything correctly, but that takes a lot of time and usually the carriers don't have that time.
It doesn't matter. Ink doesn't matter, either. In my years at a postal center, not one piece of mail got returned for different ink, or no name. Now, if it's not legible that's a problem. Certain color inks can make that difficult. Out of caution, it's probably best to use blue, black, or other dark inks.
Letters and cards written in different colors or that are "red" have to be sorted by hand but otherwise can be used. Of course, a letter with the correct address but the salutation "Grandma" will be delivered! The Post Office would prefer you use the correct name but the address is what matters. It is most important to have the correct zip code. Also, that all of it be legible.
I have done the same to my family and they have always have gotten them
