[originaltext] British postmen and milkmen have a reputation for being cheer

British postmen and milkmen have a reputation for being cheerful. As they both arrive very early in the morning, when you are perhaps not feeling very good-tempered, their brisk knocking and bright whistling may get on your nerves. Of course, there are some gloomy postmen, who make you think that every letter contains tragic news, but the majority is jolly and good humored.
    The city postman has to go on foot, not only along streets but also up and down stairs, as many blocks of fiats still have no lifts and no downstairs letter box.  If he bas a registered letter to deliver, he has to wait for someone to come to the door to sign for it. That person may greet him in a most unfriendly way if be has just been woken from a deep sleep very early in the morning.
    In the country, a postman may have a bicycle or a small van, so he does not have to walk so far, but nevertheless he has his problem too. In winter, weather conditions are bad, but the postman must carry on in the rain or in the snow. Sometimes it is impossible to use a van or a bicycle in these conditions, and he has to do his round on foot, like his city colleague. Most country people keep a dog. Although here may be a notice on the gate, "BEWARE OF THE DOG" ,this is little help to the postman. He is forced to go in whether the dog is dangerous or not.