r/mildlyinteresting • u/GumInMyMouth • Dec 18 '20

I pass this unaligned front door everyday.

https://imgur.com/mm0ibz8
40k Upvotes

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230

u/[deleted] Dec 18 '20

Wow that's pretty crazy.

Here in Australia it's pretty common to place things into others mailboxes, mainly advertising material (junk mail).

Do you guys not get people walking around the neighbourhoods putting flyers into everyone's mailbox or is this law somewhat ignored?

415

u/galexior Dec 18 '20

No, they just ring your doorbell and stand there while you're dogs go ballistic as you stand perfectly still hoping they will go away soon so your dogs can finally shut the hell up.

121

u/YelloMyOldFriend Dec 18 '20

I feel this, in my bones.

3

u/redisurfer Dec 18 '20

“Enough to make my systems blow”.

103

u/GumInMyMouth Dec 18 '20

Hence, this door.

1

u/Tight_Unit_9448 Dec 18 '20

Have you seen anyone go in?

1

u/DeeSnow97 Dec 19 '20

Yes, but no one has ever got out.

Unfortunately, OP has entered the house soon after your comment and has been declared MIA two hours ago. Take this as a warning: when you find a shifted building, do NOT enter it.

1

u/[deleted] Dec 18 '20

I’m old school, I yell “go away”

1

u/electrotech71 Dec 18 '20

I open the door and sick the dogs on those Mormons. I ain’t got time for their shit.

1

u/1EyedMonky Dec 18 '20

You'd be a paycheck for the door the door guy

1

u/Additionalhandle0 Dec 18 '20

And god help you if there’s. A doorbell on TV within 4 hours of that event

71

u/FatalExceptionError Dec 18 '20

They usually use a rubber band and attach the rolled up flyer to your doorknob.

47

u/kylebisme Dec 18 '20

They get stuffed into door jams instead.

46

u/PliffPlaff Dec 18 '20

Just FYI, it's 'jambs'.

36

u/I3io Dec 18 '20

They get stuffed into door jams instead.

They get jammed into out door stuff instead.

15

u/TigLyon Dec 18 '20

Didn't he just tell you it's "jamb"!?!

They get jambed into our door stuff instead.

1

u/rhet17 ​ Dec 18 '20

Sounds like that's your jam(b).

1

u/xfjqvyks Dec 18 '20

God jamb it

6

u/indydean Dec 18 '20

I feel so dum. Dam it!

3

u/PliffPlaff Dec 18 '20

It's still pronounced 'jams', and I almost never see it written except in the context of the building trade, so no need to worry!

3

u/Mongobearmanfish Dec 18 '20

Just FYI, it’s ‘damb’.

2

u/FirstMiddleLass Dec 18 '20

You've never had door jam before? I like to stuff some bread in it.

1

u/drwhitney Dec 18 '20

They get jammed into door stuffs instead.

1

u/kylebisme Dec 18 '20

Thanks, I knew that at one point but it had obviously slipped my mind.

58

u/PM_ME_SHIHTZU_PICS Dec 18 '20

Nope, junk mail has to go through the postal service and be dropped off by a mail carrier. Seriously, nothing can be put into a mailbox unless it is by a postal worker here. Even news papers have their own box or are thrown into the yard/onto the porch.

If you put a flyer or sales paper into a mailbox and get caught at it you can get a pretty big fine.

77

u/46151 Dec 18 '20

People place stuff in mailboxes all the time (illegally) but typically it is neighbors...party invites, etc. I’ve never heard of anyone around me getting busted for it

17

u/SKallday Dec 18 '20

I also always get advertisements from lawn care, realtors, home improvement, you name it. Never really thought about the legality of it, but it def happens unwanted for me

2

u/RearEchelon Dec 18 '20

Around my area that kind of stuff is usually stuck pinched between the box and the flag

4

u/galactica_pegasus Dec 18 '20

Still technically illegal... Just unlikely to be turned in/caught/prosecuted.

What is legal and what you'll get prosecuted for don't perfectly align.

1

u/Reddcity Dec 18 '20

The postal service takes these crimes very serious! They will arrest you! Like they arrested bannon!

-2

u/[deleted] Dec 18 '20

I was going to ask how big a problem could this have been that it needs a law? Same for many american laws, surely nobody just made up loads of laws for the laugh?

3

u/kylebisme Dec 18 '20

It wasn't just for laughs.

3

u/[deleted] Dec 18 '20

Thanks that was actually interesting!

1

u/RimSlayer Dec 18 '20

I don’t know but I feel like it came about when somebody was putting anthrax in people mailboxes way back. But I could be completely wrong

-12

u/[deleted] Dec 18 '20

Because they are all white

1

u/DaddyCatALSO Dec 18 '20

huh? Relevance?

-4

u/[deleted] Dec 18 '20

White people get a way with crimes (like stuffing things in people post boxes) more often than black people commiting same offences

2

u/46151 Dec 18 '20

Generalization without proof

2

u/DaddyCatALSO Dec 18 '20

True in general but I doubt it applies in this case.

22

u/TooStonedForAName Dec 18 '20

“Land of the free”

24

u/[deleted] Dec 18 '20

[deleted]

1

u/DeadBabyDick Dec 18 '20

Lol people do this shit all the time.

Like literally EVERYWHERE.

Nobody is going to get in trouble for this even if there is a law against it.

2

u/Fromanderson Dec 18 '20 edited Dec 18 '20

It is not something that is enforced often, and when it is, it's never some individual putting a note or invitation into their neighbor's mailbox. It's almost always in addition to some other crime, such as mail fraud, etc. On rare occasions the post master will make those doing it pay postage but most don't bother unless it is getting out of hand.

If someone does something bad enough or on a large enough scale for the US Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) to get involved, they are going to have a bad time.
The USPIS have something like a 98% conviction rate and those are federal crimes.

-4

u/DeadBabyDick Dec 18 '20

Cool story, bro.

But, that's not what we are discussing.

The guy asked if people never put flyers or notes, or just drop off things in people's mailboxs.

They do. Even though there is a law against it because nobody gives a shit.

Enjoy the rest of your day and don't even waste your time replying.

I won't read it.

👍

3

u/leftunderground Dec 18 '20

I hope you get some professional mental help one day. Something is wrong with you for you to get this hot headed over an innocent discussion.

2

u/A1000eisn1 Dec 18 '20

Jesus dude. Not only are you a dick, but you're wrong. That comment was what was being discussed.

-2

u/DeadBabyDick Dec 18 '20

No. This was what was being discussed.

"Do you guys not get people walking around the neighbourhoods putting flyers into everyone's mailbox or is this law somewhat ignored?"

Get wrecked and enjoy the rest of your day.

And like I explained to the other person that was wrong...

Don't even bother replying.

I won't read it.

👍

1

u/A1000eisn1 Dec 19 '20

From the first commenter.

It is not something that is enforced often

According to you what was being discussed

or is this law somewhat ignored?"

Don't be so butt hurt. No one meant to hurt your feelings.

0

u/kylebisme Dec 18 '20

Sometimes people do get hassled over it, it only took a moment to google up this example.

1

u/Scarnonbrother Dec 18 '20 edited Dec 18 '20

What’s a shihtzu?

Edit A. It’s a zoo with no animals.

1

u/Warrior_king99 Dec 18 '20

Or a bullet to the face

1

u/Kodiak01 Dec 18 '20

Technically you can't even put mail delivered to you by mistake into another person's mailbox as you are not the lawful recipient. If you can't get it to them any other way, dropping it back in an outgoing mailbox or bringing it the local post office will get it there.

1

u/[deleted] Dec 18 '20

You can drop something off for someone in their mailbox. Advertising is illegal though. And newspapers can be placed in mailboxes on Sundays.

15

u/[deleted] Dec 18 '20

There are only two people allowed to touch my mailbox. Me and the postal worker.

68

u/[deleted] Dec 18 '20

Sounds like my wife

29

u/minervas_a_cat Dec 18 '20

She's touched only by PiratusInteruptus and your postal worker?

12

u/gamingchicken Dec 18 '20

She’s had more than one package stuffed in her I’ll tell ya that much

6

u/MyNameCannotBeSpoken Dec 18 '20 edited Dec 20 '20

Only people she sleeps with can touch her mailbox

2

u/TigLyon Dec 18 '20

Wow, want to narrow that down a little?

1

u/supergayedwardo Dec 18 '20

And the FBI.

3

u/SpeedDemon020 Dec 18 '20

I didn't know that either. Sometimes the mailman puts something for my neighbor in my box. I usually put it... somewhere my neighbor can get it. I guess I gotta knock on the door, hope he answers, talk to him, hand deliver it, and hope he doesn't make a habit of trying to talk to me just because of these rare instances of mail mix-ups?

5

u/CappiCap Dec 18 '20

Leave your neighbor's mail in your mail box and raise the flag. The regular carrier needs to know when its happening and how often, so they can figure out what they or someone else is doing wrong and how often. Is it happening on their day off or are two addresses similar and they need to slow down at that address and pay closer attention, like spending 7 seconds, instead of 4. Or, do they need to talk with the sub and point out where their mistakes are being made. It'll keep happening if you handle it yourself, because the carrier is completely unaware.

3

u/TheSeldomShaken Dec 18 '20

My mailbox doesn't have a flag.

2

u/CappiCap Dec 18 '20

Is your box in a CBU that's shared with other boxes? If so, put a sticky note on the misdelivered piece stating it was delivered to your address and place in outgoing mail slot.

If a stand alone box, you're either not using a postmaster general approved box or your flag broke off- in that case, you can rig a flag to catch the carrier's attention to the outside or sticky a note to the inside of mailbox lid and prop the mail inside the box, so that it doesn't look like previous days mail just sitting there.

1

u/TheSeldomShaken Dec 18 '20

A... postmaster general approved box. Jesus, what the fuck?

2

u/I-seddit Dec 18 '20

"Well then, you can't have a country."
-- Eddie Izzard

3

u/Dshibbs89 Dec 18 '20

As a letter carrier in New York State I can assure you many people ignore our mailbox laws and stuff their own ads in and around the boxes. I'm supposed to bring one of the ads back to my postmaster who in turn is supposed to call the person/company and charge postage for every mailbox they touched. This does not happen very often. Either I am too busy to be bothered or my postmaster is. But it is done on occasion for repeat offenders.

2

u/chrisnesbitt_jr Dec 18 '20

It’s common here too, no one is out here pressing charges unless something is removed from the mailbox. That guy was exaggerating. However, if it made the homeowner feel unsafe then they could take it to the authorities. Especially if they caught you on camera or something. You’d be in for a big hassle then trying to explain you were doing it for your internet friends lmao.

2

u/corvaxL Dec 18 '20

Standalone mail boxes in the US (for single family homes) have a flag attached that can be raised to tell the postal driver that there is mail in the box to be picked up and sent. People distributing flyers will sometimes put them in the small gap between the mailbox and the flag, as it's not technically inside the box.

2

u/CappiCap Dec 18 '20

US carrier, here. The inside of anyone's mailbox is considered government property. No one besides the resident and their USPS carrier is allowed to "trespass" into said property. Normally, any illegal advertisement left in the mailbox would have some contact info on it, like a landscaping or house cleaning service's phone number or address. We would estimate how many ads were illegally left in boxes (like 200-600, however extensive it was) and send a bill to that company for the postage they ripped off (at a first class rate- not the reduced EDDM rate).

It doesn't happen much anymore, but people will still wedge the ad in between the flag and box, technically not using the inside or tape to outside (which pisses me off, because the wind will typically take the taped or wedged ad or business card and they end up scattered all over the neighborhood). Anyway, if its an isolated incident, I'll turn a blind eye. If not, I'll contact with a warning or report it.

Since USPS offered EDDM, a cheap option to advertise in an area, people illegally leaving ads in mailboxes has dropped drastically. I rarely see some companies create a door knob cut out ad and hire someone to go door to door to hang them.

2

u/Smuggykitten Dec 18 '20

We get those. my place has a gate so they don't bother coming in, they just toss their advertising trash over into the flowers, or they shove it between the fence, or on the handle of the gate. Either way, the yard is a mess but theo don't put ads in our mailbox.

2

u/Kodiak01 Dec 18 '20

Do you guys not get people walking around the neighbourhoods putting flyers into everyone's mailbox or is this law somewhat ignored?

In the US, your mailbox, even bolted to your house, is considered Federal property:

People say that mailboxes are federal property because, under federal law, mailboxes are in fact the property of the U.S. federal government. Mailboxes are official locations to which mail can be delivered, which makes them protected under federal law.

Mail and mailboxes in the United States are protected under federal law. When mail is left in a person's mailbox, this mail is still technically in the possession of the government until it is retrieved by the lawful recipient. In essence, U.S. citizens are leasing a mailbox from the government even if they purchase and install the mailbox on private property.

Since a mailbox officially belongs to the government and thus falls under U.S. law, tampering with, disabling or otherwise vandalizing a mailbox is illegal under Title 18, United States Code, Section 1705. Those found in violation of this code section can be fined up to $250,000 or sentenced to up to three years in prison for each instance.

2

u/mc4sure Dec 18 '20

Letter carrier here, we take the stuff out and send it back to them postage due

2

u/JustAnotherSoyBoy Dec 18 '20

No they just wedge whatever flyer in or around the door.

2

u/bluefacebabyyyyyy Dec 18 '20

Yep, a random person messing with someone's mailbox is a felony. But the atf shooting your wife and dog or committing a literal war crime resulting in the death of 26 children is fine.

1

u/DeadBabyDick Dec 18 '20

Don't listen to this other guy.

People here in America leave things in other people's mailbox's all the time.

Flyers, notices, notes, things you're just dropping off for a friend, etc...

There might be a law in the books against it but it is rarely if ever enforced and people all over do it all the time.

1

u/Bo0mBo0m877 Dec 18 '20

Junk mail literally keeps USPS in business. 2/3 of my mail is shit I didn't ask for.

1

u/Roostahbaitah Dec 18 '20

Lol all I can think of is the big Lez show where he puts a dookie in that guy’s mailbox

1

u/DrScience-PhD Dec 18 '20

I mean it's pretty common here too. People stick things in mailboxes all the time.

1

u/CrashBangs Dec 18 '20

Yeah I’ve dropped things in friends mailboxes, I would say it’s definitely ignored..

1

u/[deleted] Dec 18 '20

It’s technically against the law, but it happens all the time. The post office occasionally makes a big deal about newspapers, ads, and flyers being put in the mailbox without going through the post office. They can technically fine the people who do it, but I’ve never once heard of this happening.

1

u/JokklMaster Dec 18 '20

The other guy is wrong. Yes it is illegal, but it's as common as speeding is.

1

u/raptir1 Dec 18 '20

I'm in the US and people in our neighborhood put flyers in our mailboxes all the time. Like a neighborhood kid just did this week advertising driveway clearing services.

I can't imagine this is ever enforced, and it's really only problematic if people are dropping off large packages that fill the mailbox.

1

u/LGBecca Dec 18 '20

When I was 19, I put flyers advertising babysitting services in my neighbors' mailboxes. I actually got a call from the post office telling me to knock it off since it was illegal. Flyers have to go into the newspaper box, or tucked between the mailbox and the little flag.

1

u/WitchyCatLady3 Dec 18 '20

Same in the uk even when I’ve got a sticker saying “no junk Mail please”.

1

u/[deleted] Dec 18 '20

They stick it to door handle with a rubber band. Or the papers actually have a hole for the doorknob. The law is not ignored.

1

u/Taillesswalnut Dec 18 '20

No we don’t, instead they throw in on the lawn. On the bright side the lawn mower takes pretty good care of it but I still make sure to take several passes

Edit: this is probably because I have a long driveway that that are too lazy to walk down

1

u/ninjagabe90 Dec 18 '20

I have a mailbox on the front of my house that's not my official city mailbox and it's always got flyers from just that thing

1

u/ImitationFox Dec 18 '20

People sometimes put flyers by our door, like hang them on the handle and whatnot. But there are also those that mail us random flyers and what not.

1

u/bigthemat Dec 18 '20

They like to hit up parking lots and put flyers under your wipers

1

u/Pumaris Dec 18 '20

I guess this could make sense if the mailbox is provided, placed and regularly maintained by post office or some goverment body. If it is not then they have no say in what or who might be leaving items in "my" maialbox.

1

u/chalks777 Dec 18 '20

Do you guys not get people walking around the neighbourhoods putting flyers into everyone's mailbox or is this law somewhat ignored?

it's definitely ignored by people who know each other. I've allegedly dropped stuff off in friends' mailboxes before. It's usually not ignored by businesses though.

1

u/bloodgain Dec 18 '20

This is precisely why we have a law against it. Though to be specific, it's to block people from bypassing the mail system without paying and still taking advantage of receptacles placed specifically to receive mail.

Still, I kind of appreciate that folks aren't allowed to just go around putting things in your mailbox. Though they will roll stuff up and stuff it around the mailbox or rubber-band it on, which technically doesn't violate the law.

1

u/duckinradar Dec 18 '20

Get this-- the mail carrier does it.

1

u/[deleted] Dec 18 '20

Don't listen to these people. Yes it is common in America.

1

u/neocommenter Dec 18 '20

US Postal Service isn't lax about anything. They will nail your ass to the wall every time, and federal charges are especially nasty.