Soy cartera

Question

I've asked this before many years ago but I'd like to ask again since it just came up in another thread and there are new native Spanish speakers onboard who might have some input.

I know that in Spain it's understood that if I say "soy cartera" that I mean that I'm a female mail carrier. However, cartera also means "wallet" or, in some places, "purse". In some places, like Argentina and Mexico, there are no female mail carriers so saying "soy cartera" sounds extra weird. That's why I always say something like "entrego el correo".

In your part of the world are there women who carry the mail? What are they called? Does it sound strange to you to say, "soy cartera"? If so, what should I say instead?

good for you to post this :) - 006595c6, Aug 5, 2017

Mailmen are disappearing and I've never seen a mailwoman so I don't know. Cartera could be a handbag, wallet, purse even an attaché sometimes.. - polenta1, Aug 5, 2017

Not in the US. - Daniela2041, Aug 5, 2017

Answer 1

I have it!!! I talked to some friends about this , especially the fact that there are no mail women, odd.

Anyway, one of them had the perfect solution:

Soy repartidora de correos

I hope you like it

Thanks, Heidita! I do like it. - alba3, Aug 7, 2017

Answer 2

I found this: enter link description here By the way, I have a friend who wants to be a cartera, me pregunto, ¿de cuero o sintética?

lol...thanks for the link - alba3, Aug 6, 2017

Con gusto Alba :) - 00376109, Aug 6, 2017

Answer 3

In the US we call our "mail carriers" just that! Mailman ya no existe. I have never heard any word in Spanish for mail carrier except "cartero." I will ask the Spanish Departmant Chairman at my college on Monday and see what he thinks. This person has his Master's from UNAM. Whenever I am in doubt I check with him.

I like to invent expressions so here's mine. (probably not proper) "portadora de correo

Thanks! - alba3, Aug 6, 2017

We here still have "mailmen and women " but we have done away with sexist terminology . I think that "mailman and chairman " are now generic terms that most people are no longer hung up on.. - ray76, Aug 6, 2017

Answer 4

I first thought it was "Soy carterista" I'm a pickpocket.
You could also say something like:

Trabajo en el correo.

Entrego correo.

Thanks! - alba3, Aug 6, 2017

Answer 5

However, cartera also means "wallet" or, in some places, "purse". In some places, like Argentina and Mexico, there are no female mail carriers so saying "soy cartera" sounds extra weird. That's why I always say something like "entrego el correo".

really? There are no female "postmen"? wow, that is a surprise....

In Spain, we also say cartera to wallet, but in the context I would have used cartera for mail woman.

If mail woman does not exist, I think we should say it anyway jeje