Tell me how to get a heart on a PC swap, postcard

Sorry kiddo, this is from the FAQ:

Swap coordinators should never dictate when hearts should be given. Also, swap participants should never demand that they receive a heart for their sent swap items. Hearts are only to be given at the discretion of each swap recipient.

I don't see any demands for hearts. Just to give an idea of what would earn one.

That's right @sugarskull but I don't believe that @audreydoll is trying to dictate to anyone when or why they should give a heart. I think all she is doing is asking everyone's opinion about when it comes to receiving a postcard for a simple postcard swap what does the person look for that determines whether or not they will give a heart.

As a big time postcard swapper, I know from experience that it is hard to get rated with hearts for a postcard, although I have received quite a few hearts for pcs but also have been rated without hearts for alot too. Seems like to me, this is just from my experience, that 99% of swappers only give hearts for an extra special package that usually has extra 'lil' goodies enclosed instead of sticking only to the bare minimum of items that HAVE to be sent. Well, I have to admit that extra special packages go a long way with me too when it comes to how I rate, lol. Unfortunately we can't send anything extra with a postcard unless it is sent clean in an envie, then I always include an extra card or something else I think they will like. Not only in an effort to receive a heart but also because I love making people happy and putting a smile on their face:)))

I can only say what warrants a heart from me when it comes to receiving pcs. When I can tell from the type of card & comments written on the card that my partner took the time to look at my profile and atleast try to send me a card that I have listed as my favorite to receive or one that is inspirational and gives praise to my heavenly father (since I am a christian and love the Lord) I give a heart ever time:)))

Sorry, didn't mean to be so long-winded, lol.

I wasnt trying to imply that any one shold or shouldnt - just an idea of what people are looking for that would ake them happy. Cant send extras with a PC so what are some of the thngs I can do to maybe make your day

I think different people have very different standards of rating and unfortunately there's nothing you can do or write to change that. (Then again, I'm glad we're all different.) But yeah, I'm thinking about the times I get a funny, warm, personal comment about a postcard I sent that they clearly loved (they've said so!), yet there's no heart to be found. I figure they must have a very stringent method of grading - perhaps never rating hearts for PCs - and instead of being hurt (!), I try to use it as an opportunity not to focus on myself in such a passive way, but to see the world for what it really is, and to read the comment, not focus on the heart. As for the comments that are just a curt "Thanks." after you've sent them your favourite PC of all (what were we thinking?), I tell myself they were just in a major hurry and didn't want to fall behind with their ratings, like yours truly has done (gulp), and/or they're just an ---hole...! :D

Put the onus on them - not on yourself, not if you know you sent your best effort - and don't let yourself invest too much importance in a semi-arbitrary group of little red pixels awarded or not by a few unfeeling strangers.

That said, a few practical tips: nice pens (colours), neat writing (I hate illegible scrawl), a silly monster doodle always helps, sticking to the swap question/topic, NOT wishing your Southern Hemisphere partner a Happy Summer just bc it's summer where you live (learn some basic geography, mate, including time/datelines and seasons!), a sticker or rubber stamp impression, profile-specific chat/comments, basic niceness as a person. Kindness even. :) Don't be too impersonal or remote. Find a cute, short joke online and share it. :)

Sorry sooooo long!

I agree...everyone is different. To me...if the postcard is one I like or has stuff on it that is mentioned in my profile...then I give a heart. Or if they write about stuff in my profile, that gets one too. It shows that they took extra time.

Wow who would have thought a Postcard swap subject could generate such lengthy discussion. I have to join "just because" now. I read all the comments. So here is mine.

I too have wondered, why not just give me the heart? Did I not do it well enough? I have moved past that.

But I swear we need a place for double hearts, cause some of these swappers have been extra extra generous.

But when it comes to postcards, I really just have loved them all. I do read the profiles before I send, hoping to send a new favorite to someone.

By the way, I dont need the cute hearts, I really wont be heart broken, cause I realize it doesnt matter too much after all. It did in the beginning.

Please send me a postcard of Alaska.. that would earn hearts for sure.. so would any goodies from there.. to earn NO hearts, send me religious stuff..

Thanks to all for the positive comments. Like I said, I dont ever want anyone to think a heart is required, but what would be the kind of thing to move you to do it. I do try not to take it personal if I put a lot of effort in and dont get one, but like I said - thats OK, We ae all different - and thank God for that! Please continue to share what moves you, what make you smile (inside and out). Feel free to share a story about some card you rec'd that made your day. Also feel free to say that you don;t feel any PC's should ever get one and why - or maybe just a story about the funniest card you ever got.

I really understand what moved you to host this swap. And I agree with @papercaper that I get a bit confused by warm happy comments saying "I LOVED IT " with no heart!

It seems so strange to me, but I've seen enough threads debating hotly about what a heart should and should not be. Even though I'd never be stringent about showing my appreciation via a 5 rating plus a heart - some people feel like they should be reserved for very special occasions. I'm also not the type to have a special set of dishes I only use once a year ; )

Personally, I give a heart when someone obviously took the time to read my profile and tried to send something they thought I would like. Even when things are "senders choice" I attempt to make things profile specific for my partners.

I will forever be mystified by my partners in profile specific swaps who send me my #1 "please do not send" - it happens a lot! Oh well.

See all these comments? Everyone has their own individual position on how and why they dispense their hearts. Put all that comment energy on a post card and POOF we have this swap. I say it's a great idea.

My thoughts exactly @Liluluzkay Thanks

One of the best PC I got was for No where close to where I live swap. My buddy sent an astronaut in space. It made me laugh, but if I get any postcards with Cats or Sunflowers I am esp happy. I also like it when they read my profile and send pc of the inside of cathedralsl , or something else from my profile.

I love all the PC, I receive. What gets a heart from me is any little added bit, like a little sticker, a quote or mention of my profile. What will not get a heart is a PC that is purple or pink...I have that clearly written in my profile as well, and people comment on that when they send me stuff.

@siouxx05 I'm from Alaska and would glad to send you some Alaska PC :)

I just have to weigh in here! - - - I think the people who don't give hearts are "stingy" in LIFE! Just as I give a star for co-ordinators of a swap (it's because the host decided to set up the swap that you're there having some fun) I give a heart for several reasons. One thing that will absolutely dissuade me from leaving a heart for a postcard swap is if it looks rushed, such as illegible handwriting, no creativity on the address, and it looks as if they just slapped a stamp on it and threw it in the postbox. I'm not expecting calligraphy for the written portion -- but neat and legible. Hearts are given by me if they made me laugh, go "awwwww...." or said something on the message area that warmed my heart. Hearts are not about "stuff", they're about the depth of feelings conveyed through a very simple piece of sturdy paper.

thanks for your thoughts and opinions, I feel the same way about much of what you said, glad you've joined. I do appreciate the effort that people put into swaps, and its not all about the extras (although extras are VERYy nice)!! SOmetimes I cant afford much extras (including extra postage) but I try to send what I think my partner will like. no matter the type of swap. I think some ways postcards are harder - hense this swap, but When I get a heart I know I did a good job of figuring out the right one and making a pleasing comment. I think I give hearts fairly freely if there is even a hint of effort by the sender. I also agree with @AZmom875 that there are time I could give doubles! Thanks to everyone so far - Keep sharing!

Wow...I feel silly. I've only ONCE not given a heart, and that was because it didn't have a note on the PC that the swap asked for. I technically could have given a 3 for being incomplete, but whatever. I like postcards, and I appreciate people who send them to me. If people don't want to give hearts, then I can't force them to do so.

no, you can't force anyone, and we wouldn't want to, just want to know from anyone who wants to share - what it is that makes your day when you recieve a PC. the reasons YOU give a heart. Nothing wrong with desiring to please ones partner. is there? So I hape all those people that were watching will join, and I hape everyone WANTS to give their partner a heart because they got somethig that pleased them that much. And thanks to everone for sharing!

If there is a fawn on the postcard it is an automatic heart.

Other things qualify for hearts also, usually it is what is written or a card that they searched for, or a card that surprised me that fit my tastes.

oops! almost forgot to post this! I give hearts when a PC makes me smile -- and that could be for a lot of reasons: the sender obviously checked my profile and tried to send something based on that, the card itself is beautiful or cute or really unusual, or the note is clearly meant to be warm and friendly not just here's your swap, or no message at all. I swap for two reasons -- I enjoy making and/or sending the item in the swap, and, more important, I love the little glimpses into the lives of other people all over the world, and I hope that by helping to build this international swap community I am making a small contribution toward a world that may someday be free of war and strife. So -- end of sermon! You are very likely to get a heart from me if there is any personal touch to the PC at all! Happy swapping!

A vintage card and some pretty stamps on the PC would get a heart!