People just realising what the handwritten ‘P’ on the front of letters means

Many people have received letters and found a handwritten P on the envelope and have been left quite confused, but there is actually a very simple reason behind it.

Letters go through a process before being posted off and arriving at the correct postbox, and while they go through the sorting centre, many will find themselves marked with signs scribbled on them.

One person recently took to Reddit to find out what the markings mean, reports The Mirror.

They asked: “Can anyone tell me why all my letters the last few days have had a ‘P’ written on them”, adding a photograph of a ‘private and confidential’ letter with a capitalised P written on the plastic window area of the envelope.

And because of the post, the forum user was finally able to get their response.

People 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.”

Agreeing with the explanation, another person added: “It means Parcel. For either yourself or the net delivery. It’s a reminder for postman/postwoman.

However, during the discussion a postman shared: “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 mysterious ‘P’ marking wasn’t the only thing discussed on the platform, people also spoke about postal workers’ uniforms – questioning why some opt to wear shorts even in cold weather.

Again, the question was answered as one person shared: “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.”

Another person on the platform agreed stating that “Skin is waterproof. Walking all day is hot work.”