> but postcards are still available literally anywhere I've been in the world, and are still very easy to send, for those who enjoy that.

I mean both that they are used much less and they're much less available.

You can find postcards of the Coliseum in Rome, but you'll have a hard time finding one of Palazzo Farnese in Caprarola.

Even in major touristic hotspots, 30 years ago you'd find postcards sold at any shop, but these days you have to look for a while, in my experience.

The worse-looking (grotty, run-down, probably mostly sells cigarettes) type of souvenir shop has the best chance of selling postcards, in my experience. The photographs might have been taken in 1995.

I've been to some countries where only the official post office was allowed to sell stamps. That makes things much more inconvenient than the shop selling postcards also selling the stamps.

I just came back from two weeks touring Thailand. No postcards to be found anywhere. None. Lots of Buddha and elephant souvenirs though... Not sure what to make of that, but I guess they just weren't selling anymore?

In the last 5 or so trips (Europe and Africa), I was able to both find and send postcards from all of the countries. So they are definitely out there, and it is a nice way to put a smile on someone's face, especially since they are so rarely sent and received.

Hardly believe that. Been there a few years back and definitely found them.

just got back from there - same. They had various novelty postcards, e.g. build a bridge or elephant out of them - but no picture postcards from the region.