Post Office Blues

Whitechapel Post Office, 1985

I remember quite a few Post Offices in East London but most of them have now been shut down. It amazes me that each time this happens we are told that the service will be “more efficient”. Well that is certainly not the case for a pensioner who finds it impossible to walk to a Post Office miles away. The photograph above illustrates the frustration people feel when they have to queue for a considerable time in order to do business with the Post Office. This is towards the end of a very long queue and the expressions on the faces of the two men with glasses suggest they are not too happy. As a documentary photographer I have always relished queues  as they enable opportunities for observation. The traditional dress of the woman below sparkles in contrast with the utilitarian surroundings.

Whitechapel Post Office, 1983