Postcrossing Brings you the World
The Internet Brings Back Postcards with a Modern Twist
Postcrossing is a website that allows people from all over the world to exchange postcards for free
Do you like to receive postcards? How about postcards from all over the world? Postcrossing has a simple premise: send a postcard, receive a postcard. It's an opportunity to learn a little about someone from another part of the world, see a glimpse of their city and life, and receive beautiful postcards in your mailbox mixed in with all the junk mail and bills.
What is Postcrossing?
Postcrossing.com is a website with a simple premise that brings about a powerful connection with the world. It's a modern slant on traditional penpals.
A few facts about Postcrossing as of July 2007:
- over 25,000 users were registered in the database
- nearly 600,000 postcards had been sent
- the all time top user had received and sent over 350 postcards
How does Postcrossing work?
Simply put, you send a postcard to someone in another country, and a different person in another country sends one back to you.
Is Postcrossing free?
Yes, it is free to use the website. The only cost you will incur is the cost of postcards and postage. The Postcrossing website is run completely without charge and is subsidized by voluntary donations from users who find the service meaningful to them.
How do I get started?
- Buy some postcards that show off your city or town.
- Purchase postage (international postage for a postcard to most of the world is 90 cents for US Mail as of 2007.)
- Register at Postcrossing.
- Request up to five addresses at a time. You will be emailed a copy of the addresses and links to the profiles of those members.
- Send off your postcards
When will I receive postcards?
Your name will be added to the list of those awaiting postcards once your postcards have arrived. If you send one postcard, you will receive one postcard. Thus the motto featured on Postcrossing t-shirts: I send, therefore I receive.
Isn't this just like having a pen pal?
No, it really isn't like having a pen pal. With a pen pal, you write back and forth to the same person over a period of time. Postcrossing is about exchanging a single postcard with someone in another country. The relationship stops there.
What do people list in their profiles?
Although optional, most people will list some quick biographical facts: hobbies, family, etc. Some people will list a preference for a certain type of postcard: historical, landmarks, etc. The mailing address itself isn't listed on the profile.
Who participates in Postcrossing?
People from over 100 countries of all ages who like to receive postcards from all over the world. The ratio of women to men is about 5 to 1. The country with the largest number of participants is Finland.
Is it safe to give out my home address to Postcrossing?
Your address isn't published on the website for anyone to see, it isn't searchable and the only time your address is revealed is when a Postcrossing member asks to send a postcard and your address is the next one in the queue.
If you have more questions about Postcrossing or would like to sign up, there is additional information available at the website, Postcrossing.com.
There is also a very active Postcrossing Group Flickr where Postcrossing members share pictures of the postcards they have received.
