Alas the French postal system has redeemed itself in my eyes. I sent a letter to Paris a few weeks ago and, after not hearing from the addressee, believed for some time that the French couriers had been stayed by rain or snow or heat or maybe one too many glasses of wine along with a penchant for not being invested in their work. I know the Francophiles will be displeased with that last statement for implying that the French are a bunch of lazy drunks and that's hardly the esteem in which I actually hold the French, but one must wonder about the motivation of workers in a society where citizens are essentially guaranteed a job for life once they're hired. As for being alcoholics, that's made from wholecloth on my part (mea culpa).
Of course, at this point, critical thinkers out there are screaming at their monitors: "What about the U.S. postal service?!? They're not exactly reliable, now, are they?" In short, yes, they are. Very. Complain as people may about the quality of service from the venerable USPS, few can deny that, in comparison to other countries, the postal system in the U.S. is one of the best: it is highly efficient and delivers 93% of first-class mail within its service commitment.1
1United States Postal Service. "2006 Comprehensive Statement on Postal Operations." 63. 2007.
Of course, at this point, critical thinkers out there are screaming at their monitors: "What about the U.S. postal service?!? They're not exactly reliable, now, are they?" In short, yes, they are. Very. Complain as people may about the quality of service from the venerable USPS, few can deny that, in comparison to other countries, the postal system in the U.S. is one of the best: it is highly efficient and delivers 93% of first-class mail within its service commitment.1
1United States Postal Service. "2006 Comprehensive Statement on Postal Operations." 63. 2007.
2 comments:
whoa! should you really be citing THEIR research on THEIR productivity ;)
I'm inclined to share your skepticism at the USPS numbers, but I couldn't find any others to quote. Of course, regardless of whatever self-aggrandizing the Postal Service committed in their report, one can't deny how efficient the system is. 42 cents to send a letter anywhere in the US seems pretty good to me. And I wonder how many people actually question whether or not their letter or parcel will arrive to its assigned destination once they've dropped in a mailbox. I've only had a chance to use one other national postal service: Mexico's. Rate of successful delivery depends on who you ask: most Mexicans I asked put it at around 80%. Mind you, that's not delivery within a particular service commitment, but just delivery at all. Maybe the USPS doesn't actually have a successful delivery rate within a service commitment of 93%, but it's certainly higher than 80% and I wouldn't be surprised if it's over 90%.
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