Honestly? Because the system is a beautiful, messy beast. Carriers have to sort mail, deliver parcels, and handle signatures. They also take breaks—they’re human, not robots. (Though sometimes I wonder. Mine seems to teleport.)
The USPS even has a tool called “Informed Delivery.” It emails you a photo of your mail before it arrives. But it doesn’t tell you the time. Thanks, government. Now I get to see the bill before I can hide it from my spouse.
Here’s a pro tip: Ask your mail carrier. I’m serious. When you see them, just say, “Hey, when’s your usual time?” Most will tell you. They’re proud of their route. Just don’t ask during a blizzard. They’re busy.
How is the USPS funded? | Britannica
What About Sunday? Or Holidays?
Sunday mail? Unless you’re getting Amazon packages, nope. No mail on Sunday. National holidays? Also nope. You’ll get nothing but silence and a sad empty mailbox. But holiday season? Everything goes haywire. Carriers work overtime, and the mail shows up at 7 PM like, “Surprise! Your grandma’s fruitcake finally arrived!”
And let’s talk about weather. Snow, heat, or rain? The mail still comes, but slower. If it’s pouring, they might wait until it stops. If it’s 100°F, they’ll finish earlier because no one wants to melt. So check the forecast if you’re impatient.
