Every postcard tells a story • Hacker News Board

Re: Every postcard tells a story

#21

Post by stickmangallows » Wed, Jul 08, 2026, 6:07 PM UTC

dmvjs wrote: post #6

pax wrote: post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Postcards, while travelling, are one of the very few instances when I write by hand, these days. I started about 20 years ago, I most usually only write the address and a smiley — the old school analogue medium is most of the message (that I take the time to pick a postcard, which then has to travel physically to reach the distance to its target).

where can you buy them? not at the post office, grocery store, nor the Hallmark near me. the cheap 19 cent postcard stamps also cannot be bought anymore.

National and state park visitor centers often carry them too. Cities and states also have tourist information centers with postcards.

Re: Every postcard tells a story

#22

Post by pivo » Wed, Jul 08, 2026, 6:48 PM UTC

One of my favorite post card collections is the book "Boring Postcards USA" from the collection of Martin Parr: https://martinparr.com/books/books-edited-by-mp/#gallery/8__...

This book is often out in my living room and rarely fails to start a conversation when friends stop by

Re: Every postcard tells a story

#23

Post by stevenicr » Wed, Jul 08, 2026, 8:01 PM UTC

dmvjs wrote: post #6

pax wrote: post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Postcards, while travelling, are one of the very few instances when I write by hand, these days. I started about 20 years ago, I most usually only write the address and a smiley — the old school analogue medium is most of the message (that I take the time to pick a postcard, which then has to travel physically to reach the distance to its target).

where can you buy them? not at the post office, grocery store, nor the Hallmark near me. the cheap 19 cent postcard stamps also cannot be bought anymore.

many of the gas stations, I think cracker barrel, and many other tourist knick knack stores around my (tourist heavy) city have them.. of course printing your own is not hard these days.

Re: Every postcard tells a story

#24

Post by danbolt » Thu, Jul 09, 2026, 4:42 AM UTC

dmvjs wrote: post #2

postcards dont exist anymore

I send around 20 a year. Checking the mail is relatively monotonous for people, so receiving one is like a lucky gacha pull in today’s world.

Since they’re so memorable, it’s usually an easy way to make someone’s day without much time, money or effort. There’s also very little scrutiny in what you write, so even an in-depth episode about sun glare at the bus stop goes a long way.