SCUT Mail Delivery-NOT

Mail delivery at South China University  of Technology is worth noting.  We were told when we arrived not to ever expect to receive mail. That seemed like an unusual statement. However we dutifully informed our children and any family members we thought might want to send mail to us that we were unable to receive mail, not really understanding but trusting the information we were given.

Outside our building and all other residence buildings on campus is a bank of 70-100 shiny new stainless steel very secure mailboxes.  We have lived here three months but never once observed anyone standing by, opening, delivering, or any semblance of use. There is no mailing address for our building and there was never a key or code given to us to use the shiny new stainless steel very secure 

mailbox.

It has all become clear recently as we watched mail delivery on campus.  There is a parking lot near the center of campus where a campus store is located along with the campus hotel, bakery and canteen.  Most students would pass by there during the course of a school day.  I am not at all sure what the scheduled day is for delivery or the time of day that delivery is made but I do know how it happens. All of that information is written in Chinese and we are unable to read that scheduled information.   The tubs of mail are dumped out in the parking lot and spread around for all to see the names on the packages or envelopes.  Today however was a rain day so they made piles of mail for students to pick up their mail and packages.  There doesn't seem to be anyone in charge or responsible to check the mail address with the person picking up the mail.  Everyone shuffles through the piles and stacks, takes what they like and continues on their way. Seems to work for the Chinese students.

Now at least I understand why we were told not to expect to receive mail.