Many individuals have been left puzzled after receiving letters with a handwritten ‘P’ on the envelope. However, there’s a straightforward explanation for this.
Letters undergo a process before they are dispatched and delivered to the correct mailbox. During their journey through the sorting centre, many of these letters end up with scribbled signs on them, reports the Express.
Recently, a person turned to Reddit to understand what these markings signify, according to The Mirror. They posted: “Can anyone tell me why all my letters the last few days have had a ‘P’ written on them”, attaching a photo of a ‘private and confidential’ letter with a capitalised P written on the plastic window area of the envelope.
Thanks to the post, the forum user finally received an answer. Respondents on the social media platform provided answers and explanations to the original question.
One explained that it is written as a reminder for the postman or woman. They said: “It’s the postie’s way of reminding themselves that when they come to post your letter, there’s also a parcel for you. That’s so they don’t post your letter then find out halfway down the street they forgot to knock and give you your parcel.”
“Or sometimes they’ll write P10 or something on the previous letter – that let’s them know they have a parcel next door (number 10) but no letter.” Another person agreed with the explanation, adding: “It means Parcel. For either yourself or the next delivery. It’s a reminder for postman/postwoman.”
During the lively discussion, a postman revealed: “I’ve delivered all sorts of letters with stuff on the back, Tracey telling Dave her pin code. Shopping lists etc etc. Don’t assume it’s the postie’.”
The enigmatic ‘P’ mark wasn’t the sole topic of conversation on the forum; there was also a buzz around postal workers’ choice of attire, particularly the preference for shorts in chilly weather. An explanation came from one contributor who said: “It is really just because it gets hot doing the job. One round I wear trousers just because of the wind but it’s that particular village that happens to be the highest point of the town and is a massive wind tunnel. All other rounds I’m in short pretty much all year.”
Echoing this sentiment, another added, “Skin is waterproof. Walking all day is hot work.”
The reason behind the handwritten ‘P’ on letterswas revealed on Reddit
(Image: (Image: Getty))