So...standing in a long line at the post office today, noticing how almost everyone in the line wouldn't have to be waiting if they'd only learn how to use the automated machine in the lobby (but that would require learning where to find a clue first...but I digress), when I see a postal employee coming down the row, asking/answering questions.
He gets to the old man (with cane) in front of me (who is clutching his mortgage payment, a stack of cash, and a debit card) and asks "what are you mailing?" Old man replies "my mortgage payment..it's due today." Postal genius, walks over to the counter, picks up a brochure, and returns to the old man. "You know, you can get stamps by mail. The service is free. They will deliver the stamps right to your home." Old man seems confused...he needs a stamp NOW, not in a week or so when the postman eventually shows up with his mail-order stamps.
The postal employee continues to blather on, showing the man where to fill out the form, which boxes to check, etc. Old man remains confused...looks at the form, looks at his soon to be past-due mortgage payment, then looks up at the postal employee.
I can't take it anymore and say "He has an ATM card in his hand. Why don't you just take him to the machine in the lobby and show him how to use it? He'll be out of here in two minutes!"
Postal employee gives me the tilted puppy head look and finally the 5-watt light bulb in his head illuminates. "Follow me" he says to the old man, and escorts him to the postage machine.
Please, Santa...all I want for Christmas is the privatization of the Postal Service!