US Post Office

This post office can be good if it isn’t busy, but it is horrible at Christmas or tax time.
I just left it and went to UPS to mail a package. It was the noon hour, and the line was out the door. There was only one clerk and she seemed to be on a work slowdown strike. The other two stations were unattended. This is unacceptable for a busy time before Christmas.
The USPS is in competition with actual businesses which recognize the need to treat customers like customers.

I go here out of convenience to my house and parking however, every time I come, I regret it. Without fail, the lady behind the counter yells at me like I ate her first born child. It doesn’t matter what I do, she finds a reason to inflict rage.
One time, I came in and the line was out the door. It was close to Christmas so, I came ready for patience and to wait. I was carrying a screaming infant. However, I pre-​paid for my package, it was all set up, I just needed to drop it off. The line looked like I would have to wait an hour to literally drop the package off. Before I took the chance of giving everyone in line insanity with my child’s screams, I quickly came up to the front, asked the person in the front of the line if I could ask a quick question and when it was their turn, stepped up and asked if I could just drop my package off and go. A reasonable question before enduring an hour wait in line for anyone, better or less a person carrying a screaming hungry baby. This lady screamed at me for disrupting her so harsh the entire line voted that I could just go ahead and be the next person in line to literally… Hand her my package.
Another time, I came in and wasn’t sure which form I needed to use to send a package. The same lady yelled at me again and said, «you should have known that before you got here.» There was no one else in the office. There was no way I was disrupting her job. Miffed, I asked if I had done something to upset her in some way since I could not fathom how we got from me walking in the door to yelling. She just repeated herself even more aggressively.
I’m a youngest of 4. To say I’m thick skinned is an under statement. This lady has me at near tears every single time I’ve gone to this post office. She is nasty to the core. I’m happy to commiserate with anyone who hates their job. This lady doesn’t allow anyone to come within 10 feet of her without going for the jugular. Damaged soul, much?
The gentleman who works behind the counter is a nice guy provided you are nice and decent to him (ie: don’t act like a typical Bethesda resident). He earns this office one star. Talk to him about football and you’ll be friends for life.
The ease of parking and lack of people inside (probably all avoiding Rosie McRagerson) earns this place the other star. I’ll be honest though, I’d like to give zero stars for that lady still working there all of this time.

So rude its crazy!

I guess we have to give up our little secret if we want to keep our post office open. Just off MacArthur Blvd in west Bethesda is the little town of Glen Echo with its own Post Office. Located in the ground floor of the town hall, you can see the white building with the cupola from MacArthur. Turn onto Harvard Avenue and park either on the street or behind the building. It’s a tight parking lot, so be careful, but it is all free and usually you can find a spot. Run in and stand in line or buy stamps from the machines. There are only three windows, and usually only one or two are open. But the line goes fast unless someone is sending a package to the other side of the earth with insurance, which happens more often than you would think. The postmistress and employees are generally cheerful, but because it is so small, one of them is usually doing something administrative or behind the scenes. You will find seasonal décor and packaging for mailing and presents. There are post boxes to rent. Overall, it is a cheerful little post office that does a great business due to their general efficiency and handy parking. Open M-​F 9 – 5 and Sat 9 – 1. Please come visit, but preferably not on tax day or just before Christmas…