Oh, getting back to the "thank you note" and candy, should I explain what they
really are?
Coming from a mostly Slavic background, my relatives would occasionally send birthday and wedding gifts to "the old country" or vise versa.
The candy and "note"
are not for you.
At some point, it was best to assume that your package would find its way to an overly nosy or bored postal inspector. Um, what's a more polite word for "bribe"?
The "note" and candy are not a bribe, per say, more like an old tradition of saying "Yes, its your duty to inspect this package. Since we are
not sending secret plans to moose and squirrel for new grain elevator, just let this package pass your desk and move along to its destination".
It was a lot like using a couple of rolls of toilet paper as packing material. While it was important to protect the contents of the package, the packing material served, um, a higher purpose once the package was delivered.
