"I have a lady on my route that leaves out a nice cold Coke for me in the middle of the summer and hot chocolate in the wintertime. That's a real pick me up, I tell you. Most people tip out of the goodness of their hearts. I get a lot of candies and boxed goods."
Best holiday tip: "I got a mailbox. Every Christmas we get it out and I put it up on the mantle. My wife says 'I can't believe someone gave you a mailbox.'"
William Lister, Letter carrier
Fenton, Missouri
USPS letter carrier of 30 years and current vice president of the National Association of Letter Carriers, branch 343, St. Louis
We're at people's doors everyday. They get to know us. We watch out for them. We look out for smoke. We watch out for people who aren't supposed to be around their homes. We watch out for the elderly people. I was on my last run for 18 years. I knew everyone on my route. Half of the people would know my first name and the names of my kids. You build up such a rapport with patrons. It's nice to be appreciated once a year. It's an appreciation factor that you serve all year long."
Best holiday tip: "I used to get cookies and candies from customers. I have 3 kids. It was like Christmas every day for them when they were little. The kids loved that stuff. Sometimes I got Christmas ornaments."
