Sunday, May 4, 2008
Tracking the Postcards
So after convincing the lovely staff at the US Postal Service that I was not a crazy person they told me that basically the postcards on route to the East Coast would be traveling via truck. All other US bound destinations would travel by airplane as would the cards going to Taiwan and Portugal except for Portugal which may or may not go by boat, the woman did not know. All the cards are still currently in New York but as of tomorrow morning their adventure will begin.
Writing Postcards in Astor Place
Approaching New Yorkers with a clipboard and a smile......if New Yorkers have accomplished anything it's the art of ignoring the clipboard people! I became one of the clipboard people and got ignored, a lot! I approached New Yorkers as the worked, sat, talked with friends, waited for the walking man light, and drank coffee in Astor Place. My method was simple. I approached people who looked friendly, people who weren't carrying a lot of things and people who didn't look like they were in a rush.
My line: "Would you like to send a postcard to anyone in the world for free" I tired out a variety of opening lines and this was the one that got the most takers. I then went on to explain the project and that if they wanted to write a postcard I would drop it in the mail for them. I think I approached 100 people and got 45 postcards which I feel is pretty good. Of those who wrote cards they thought it was great and not to give myself too much credit, I think I made some peoples days. For those who said no, some were polite, others, well just downright mean. I got quite a few "No, I would NOT like to do that." Polite but also a bit harsh. Most of the postcards are staying in the country but one is going to Taiwan and the other is on its way to Portugal. A lot more people would have written internationally but they didn't know the address of the top of their head. These postcards are another 45 reasons why I love New York and the people who will stop for the clipboard people!
My line: "Would you like to send a postcard to anyone in the world for free" I tired out a variety of opening lines and this was the one that got the most takers. I then went on to explain the project and that if they wanted to write a postcard I would drop it in the mail for them. I think I approached 100 people and got 45 postcards which I feel is pretty good. Of those who wrote cards they thought it was great and not to give myself too much credit, I think I made some peoples days. For those who said no, some were polite, others, well just downright mean. I got quite a few "No, I would NOT like to do that." Polite but also a bit harsh. Most of the postcards are staying in the country but one is going to Taiwan and the other is on its way to Portugal. A lot more people would have written internationally but they didn't know the address of the top of their head. These postcards are another 45 reasons why I love New York and the people who will stop for the clipboard people!
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