I went to the post office to send a package, and came away with a deeper appreciation for a children’s program.
Normally I’ll utilize the United States Postal Service’s online function to print postage from home for most package. The website was down, so I took Xavier and Ciárán to the post office on the way to drop Ciárán off at preschool.
Of course there was a line.
Which is why I prefer to utilize the option of printing postage from home.
But I was there, only 3 people ahead of me, and we had plenty of time ahead of us to get Ciárán to preschool on time.
It was rather quiet though, and I couldn’t quite figure it out. When the person at the counter said “Thank you” as they left for the next person in line to move up, it hit me – the postal worker was deaf.
My turn came up and I handed over my package. He placed it on the scale, then wrote on the white board on the counter “same price” then pointed to two labeled pictures – parcel post and priority mail. I pay and the transaction is completed.
The postal worker hands me my receipt and touches his hand to his chin, then moves it away towards me. I recognize this gesture and do the same. It is sign language for “Thank you” – which I learned from “Blue’s Clues” of all things.
It’s not often I get to step out of my comfort zone like that, but I’m glad I was prepared with even just the one gesture.