Postás

Postás is the Hungarian term for a postal worker, specifically a mail carrier or letter carrier. A postás is employed by a postal service to deliver letters and parcels, collect outgoing mail, and provide basic customer service at post offices or on deliveries. In ordinary use, postás typically refers to a male postman; the feminine form postásnő is used in some contexts, though postás is often used as a gender-neutral job title.

Duties commonly associated with a postás include sorting and routing mail at distribution centers, delivering items to homes and businesses, collecting mail from mailboxes or post offices, and selling stamps or providing information about postal services. The role also involves ensuring the privacy and security of mail, maintaining accurate records, and following local regulations and schedules.

In Hungary, the postás is a worker in the national postal system, with Magyar Posta as the principal operator responsible for mail delivery, parcel logistics, and related services. The concept of a dedicated mail carrier exists in many postal systems worldwide and shares core responsibilities such as delivery, collection, and customer assistance.

History and context: Organized postal services began to take shape in Europe in the 18th and 19th centuries, with Hungary developing its own postal infrastructure during the Austro-Hungarian era and continuing through subsequent state administrations. In contemporary times, the role of the postás has evolved to accommodate growing e-commerce, increased parcel traffic, and shifts toward digitization of some postal services, while preserving traditional doorstep delivery practices. See also Magyar Posta.