My mother in Japan sent my birthday present by air mail last month. Wan Chai Post Office tried to deliver it to my flat while I was out, but no notice was left by the postman, to this effect.

Three days later, I got a postcard asking me to collect the parcel from Happy Valley Post Office. I wonder why the postman did not leave a card after the initial attempted delivery and why it took three days to let me know about the parcel.

It should be common practice for postmen to leave a note if they have been unable to get a person in, informing that person which post office to go to, in order to pick up the parcel.