Hello!

A late self introduction : S

I come from Hong Kong. I like Japan culture and a programme called Postcrossing. I like snail mail and a fan of this programme. I would like to make a postcard collection through the site. Most of my post are related to these topics.

I wrote several posts about the postcards I received, and I would like to write a review of my PC experience:)

I joined over a year, and joined some tag and roundrobbin and direct swap. The most happiest things are receiving beautiful cards and the sender write me long message.

When I drew the first 5 cards, I was frustrated because I drew some "picky profile". I didn't know this term till I decided to ask for help in the forum, and found I am not the only one. Those user have wishlist, actually many of us have, but they are list of things difficult to find and sometimes ask in a rude way. For example, like Inge Look card, a famous illustration among the PC ring. But it is not easy to get one in HK. It can be brought online, but end up a very high cost of sending one card.

If the whole list is full of those wish, they are usually called "picky profile". It is not a responsibility to fulfill the wishes, according to official site. But sometimes people will worry about a card out of the wishlist arrived and the receiver just register the card and throw into the bin. Some people don't care of a sent card, and some do. Of course, not all cards are kept or should be kept forever, it is difficult. But many people hope that their postcard can make others happy or a little surprise of the day.

At the end, I tried my best to send the most suitable card and all of them are registered with warm welcoming message :D

Of course, there are very few of them are not match any on the wishlist, end up with a blank register message ("hurray message" in PC).

Start to receive postcard

Somehow I didn't receive a postcard I don't like:) My wishlist only excluded Ad cards. I know some Ad cards are interesting but honestly most of them are boring to me. I collected many from Japan when I travelled there. There are some collectors of Ad cards with special topics, like beers or charity.

An idiom in my city : Hundred kinds of goods fit hundred kinds of customers.

Messages on postcard

Many people write about their basic information, like gender, age, family, where they live, their work. Almost the same content. BUT! They never repeat! I come from a busy city and very high density, when I receive a card from a village near a forest with a view of a lake or mountain. It is interesting and fun to imagine the scene.

Once, a sender told me he is also a city person.

Interesting Discovery

The right one is the writing style of "1" and "4" in Hong Kong, apply to most of us. And the left one always appear on cards from Russia and Europe ('o')

Also the preference of colour of ink also different in different countries! Blue ink pen is widely used in HK, both school and work, while in some countries, black is the popular side.

Outgoing and Delivery Time

I am pound of the HK Post (restricted to my postcard exchange experience)

Both outgoing and incoming are fast. Like US, UK, Finland, Germany, Japan etc, average is 2 weeks (if the receiver register at once)

China and Russia need to spend more time. China is case by case, some provinces and cities, like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou are quite fast. Around 2 or 3 weeks. Russia usually slow, wherever which city, 1 month is required.

Snail mail, no complain :P

Country Distribution

Largest population of postal region on Postcrossing are Russia, China, Taiwan, US, Germany

https://www.postcrossing.com/explore/countries

Of course the % of population needed to be counted.

For example, HK has 7,305,700 population and 9,159 members. Sending postcard is not popular local culture.

Japan, 126,958,472 population and 8,941 members. While Japan is a country with the tradition of sending postcard during New Year or different seasons to relatives and friends, but not much people join international postcard exchange.

And many many other interesting things :-o

I learning many things like I wrote illustration, art and landmarks etc, in my wishlist. Many member send me cards with beautiful cover that I never seen it before, and sometimes they wrote me about the cover. Happy!

Also, frustrating things happened, like some people will send hatred message, about races or political viewpoints, or claimed there is no Santa in the world etc. A good chance to learn how to deal with opinions you don't agree with.

Keep clam and keep posting! See ya!

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My all entries:

Shanghai : West Lake

Korea : Sandro Chia

Netherlands : Nicolaaskerk Oldenzijl

Russia : Strawberry

Ireland : River Ferry

Germany : Pettson and Findus

USA : New Mexico in snow

Russia : Elephont Doll, doll travel

USA : Buffalo

Beijing : The City Wall Of Xian

USA : Thurston the Master Magician + Cool video of Taiwan Magician on American's Got Talent

United Kingdom : Lord Mayor's Show

Australia : The Mermaid

Osterreich : Alps

Belgium : Manneken-Pis

Brazil : Threatre Pedro II

Japan : Totoro

Sweden : Moose

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Sources of gif : https://giphy.com