Delivering mail by jumping from a moving boat

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  • čas přidán 14. 08. 2022
  • On Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, there's a summer tradition: "mail jumping". It's a bit dangerous, a bit ridiculous, and would never be allowed to start today. But it's a tradition. ■ Thanks to the Lake Geneva Cruise Line: www.cruiselakegeneva.com/
    Edited by Michelle Martin / mrsmmartin
    🟥 MORE FROM TOM: www.tomscott.com/
    (you can find contact details and social links there too)
    📰 WEEKLY NEWSLETTER with good stuff from the rest of the internet: www.tomscott.com/newsletter/
    ❓ LATERAL, free weekly podcast: lateralcast.com/ / lateralcast
    ➕ TOM SCOTT PLUS: / tomscottplus
    👥 THE TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES: / techdif

Komentáře • 2,8K

  • @TomScottGo
    @TomScottGo  Před rokem +18943

    And to answer the obvious question: yes, there are other ways to get the mail delivered these days. But it's a tradition, and one that a few lakehouses are happy to continue!

  • @PenumbralVT
    @PenumbralVT Před rokem +8825

    Tom is really out here completing side quests

    • @janslavik5284
      @janslavik5284 Před rokem +479

      "Kiss the _Goose_ on lake Geneva"
      *+* *5* *points*

    • @k.r.99
      @k.r.99 Před rokem +163

      - Break your limits and ride all rollercoasters
      Trophy unlocked: *Brave knight.*

    • @Zadster
      @Zadster Před rokem +14

      *DINGGG* Cheeeeev!

    • @WanderTheNomad
      @WanderTheNomad Před rokem +52

      His main quest is to complete all the side quests

    • @saifuusuri
      @saifuusuri Před rokem +23

      @@janslavik5284 That's a hidden achievement.

  • @MillicentOak
    @MillicentOak Před rokem +1903

    "They know that their outgoing mail might have toothmarks in it" is probably my favourite bit.

    • @grantm6514
      @grantm6514 Před rokem +68

      Imagine: "Job applicants are required to bite down on an envelope to ensure they meet orthodontic requirements - with open bites ending several aspirant mail jumpers' dreams."

    • @fynkozari9271
      @fynkozari9271 Před rokem +1

      Her tooth mark?

    • @tumblingartist
      @tumblingartist Před rokem +7

      4:18

    • @arganiaspinosa9122
      @arganiaspinosa9122 Před 5 měsíci +1

      @@fynkozari9271 Hers or anyone else delivering the mail.

  • @TheAnthraxBiology
    @TheAnthraxBiology Před rokem +2964

    I love how much Tom overcomplicated this. "so I run toward the mailbox, I put it in the mailbox, I turn around from the mailbox, I go back toward the boat" 😂

  • @Steets
    @Steets Před rokem +14025

    Tom Scott exploring the weirder parts of the postal system is a miniseries I am loving so far.

    • @cyrilio
      @cyrilio Před rokem +120

      I second this. There’s probably tons of these over the whole world.
      Get on this Tom!

    • @thebigragu9952
      @thebigragu9952 Před rokem +108

      @@cyrilio just the American postal system alone has a bunch of weird little traditions and protocol. I can’t imagine how many there are over the world.

    • @AutomatonArchive
      @AutomatonArchive Před rokem +24

      He should look into Yoyodyne and their connections to Thurn and Taxis. Quite the rabbit hole!

    • @isaaceiland-hall425
      @isaaceiland-hall425 Před rokem +18

      Tom has become a mini-liveaction-CGPgrey on this and it's delightful :)

    • @PQRDG
      @PQRDG Před rokem +6

      Welcome, everyone, to the post-Scott era

  • @Cruiselakegeneva
    @Cruiselakegeneva Před rokem +9637

    Tom, thank you for visiting us and making a video about Lake Geneva Cruise Line! It was great to meet you, and we think you did an amazing job delivering the mail -- come back any time for a job as a mail jumper on the US Mailboat! 😃

    • @HieronymousLex
      @HieronymousLex Před rokem +242

      You guys are awesome. Thank you for keeping a piece of our history alive. So proud to be a wisconsinite

    • @IanGacek
      @IanGacek Před rokem +53

      This was a great video, thanks for having Tom along!

    • @evan5935
      @evan5935 Před rokem +27

      What a cool idea! Wish we had this on Lake Huron 🤷‍♂️🤣

    • @JHeleneAndersson
      @JHeleneAndersson Před rokem +16

      We had a great time taking the tour last summer, great work!

    • @enissay9950
      @enissay9950 Před rokem +8

      Nah, he was bad at it, you guys on the other hand were amazing... I hope to visit you one day to enjoy the ride 😘

  • @EpicGamer_9999
    @EpicGamer_9999 Před rokem +1847

    Tom just seems so genuine now, and you can tell he loves doing CZcams. Something a lot of people don't have.

    • @RoyWiggins
      @RoyWiggins Před rokem +71

      I certainly hope he does, because he's been on CZcams longer than some CZcamsrs have been alive!

    • @xchronox0
      @xchronox0 Před rokem +120

      I mean, this is the same guy who got a VPN sponsor and ended up dunking on VPN sponsors instead. I knew right at that moment, Tom Scott was more about the passion than the payment. Still a relief to see that hasn't died out.

    • @arirock18
      @arirock18 Před rokem +42

      @@xchronox0 And then still got a vpn sponsor after that video

    • @metalrockstarizer89
      @metalrockstarizer89 Před rokem +4

      Explain that to Nikocado Avocado.

    • @xondisco
      @xondisco Před rokem +9

      He always was genuine :)

  • @lawrencecalablaster568
    @lawrencecalablaster568 Před rokem +842

    It’s so weird to hear Tom describe this job being done by “people half his age” because I always envision him as being just a little older than me, which would mean half his age is quite young.

    • @jacobshirley3457
      @jacobshirley3457 Před rokem +114

      Google says he's 38. Huh.

    • @user-lv7ph7hs7l
      @user-lv7ph7hs7l Před rokem +6

      @@jacobshirley3457 Order of magnitude

    • @alesin1992
      @alesin1992 Před rokem +329

      It's difficult to tell since he looks like he's 25 and 50 at the same time.

    • @vstoned3873
      @vstoned3873 Před rokem +3

      @@alesin1992 ded

    • @MaybeAnnatar
      @MaybeAnnatar Před rokem +12

      I mean, think about it like this, he hit 100k subs 8 years ago and was already out of college

  • @cheesecake4204
    @cheesecake4204 Před rokem +4182

    It’s fun to think that every Tom Scott video is like a postcard from a friend telling you about a cool place they found.

    • @vigilantcosmicpenguin8721
      @vigilantcosmicpenguin8721 Před rokem +144

      I would totally buy a line of Tom Scott-branded postcards. I know he doesn't do merch but he should totally make a deal with some niche attractions.

    • @tydshiin5783
      @tydshiin5783 Před rokem +17

      Honestly that would be so freaking awesome

    • @undeniablySomeGuy
      @undeniablySomeGuy Před rokem +59

      super on brand too. Imagine going to the US canada border and sending home a post card with Tom Scott screaming
      "I'M HERE AT NIAGARA FALLS!"

    • @EyeGlassTrainofMind
      @EyeGlassTrainofMind Před rokem +5

      That's a brilliant idea! Maybe for a special charity event or something?

    • @cheesecake4204
      @cheesecake4204 Před rokem +18

      @@vigilantcosmicpenguin8721 YES. “IM HERE AT CHERNOBYL.”

  • @mukulupadhyay4656
    @mukulupadhyay4656 Před rokem +1791

    I think the driver must be praised too here guiding the boat so close to the platform and not hitting it every single time is commendable.

    • @cold12u
      @cold12u Před rokem +9

      I didnt consider this, huh.

    • @Blyskawica1
      @Blyskawica1 Před rokem +6

      ‚Captain’! Boats don’t have drivers!

    • @Justpim19
      @Justpim19 Před rokem +7

      Why do you think someone falls into the water on a weekly basis. The captain was to far from the dock

    • @soundscape26
      @soundscape26 Před rokem

      Much practice.

    • @carbon1255
      @carbon1255 Před rokem +4

      @@Blyskawica1 Strictly boats have commanders and some boats do have drivers- a driver is someone who controls the engine, and in a traditional narrowboat they are literally driving horses to pull them along.

  • @smnoy23
    @smnoy23 Před rokem +507

    Love Paige’s surprised “Oh, he did it!”

  • @QuantenMagier
    @QuantenMagier Před rokem +188

    I love it that he actually copied her kissing the goose, that's so essential for the mail delivery! ❤

  • @hotelmario510
    @hotelmario510 Před rokem +4640

    I love that Tom's way of coping with nerves is to give a running commentary of everything he's doing. Natural television presenter.

    • @twistedtachyon5877
      @twistedtachyon5877 Před rokem +257

      Plus the occasional primal yell, of course.

    • @tncorgi92
      @tncorgi92 Před rokem +44

      Reminds me of Mike Rowe on "Dirty Jobs."

    • @Scanlaid
      @Scanlaid Před rokem +69

      @@tncorgi92 imagine that crossover. Tom Scott and Mike Rowe chat in a sewer.

    • @tncorgi92
      @tncorgi92 Před rokem +8

      @@Scanlaid I would watch that!

    • @kala_asi
      @kala_asi Před rokem +14

      Thinking back to the cave video, there was a lot of nerves and a lot of self commentary, you're right

  • @seegurkekiller
    @seegurkekiller Před rokem +3388

    The people involved seem so nice.
    Paige is so encouraging and the captain has so much of a "let the kids have fun, I'll make sure they're safe" vibe.

    • @zsoltsandor3814
      @zsoltsandor3814 Před rokem +169

      Paige absolutely loves her job, it's obvious beyond obvious.

    • @paulhaynes8045
      @paulhaynes8045 Před rokem +42

      All Americans seem nice on YT. It makes you wonder how things like Vietnam, Trump and Sandy Hook happen...

    • @user-bh2wf3pc4o
      @user-bh2wf3pc4o Před rokem +400

      @@paulhaynes8045 What a bizarre tangent...

    • @kyleberry698
      @kyleberry698 Před rokem +8

      No no, M has a point too. That totally was tangential to the original commenter and so was my reply. but I still felt like saying something before this gets like... angry. you are loved btw

    • @jacketbox4573
      @jacketbox4573 Před rokem +27

      Welcome to Wisconsin I’m proud to call home

  • @vigilantcosmicpenguin8721
    @vigilantcosmicpenguin8721 Před rokem +413

    Many a commenter before me has expressed the shocking feeling one gets when Tom Scott stops by a place where one has been before. Today, as someone from Wisconsin who has been to Lake Geneva several times, I finally understand what it's like. I shall now be the one to say, wow, I never knew that an amazing place like this exists in my neck of the woods!

    • @vistabuntuu
      @vistabuntuu Před rokem +3

      Same!!

    • @cj2u11
      @cj2u11 Před rokem +1

      Same. Tom came to Wisconsin and didn't even say hi 🤣

    • @colinz226
      @colinz226 Před rokem +3

      Lake Geneva also happens to be where the TTRPG Dungeons and Dragons was invented.

    • @TheMW2informer
      @TheMW2informer Před rokem +1

      @@colinz226 Elkhorn***

    • @ky_piece
      @ky_piece Před rokem +1

      My family lives down there and it's wild seeing him where I've been multiple times 😅

  • @roundishwhale
    @roundishwhale Před rokem +381

    This seems like a wonderfully unique tourist attraction!
    It also feels like it's the kinda wonky tradition that has just been kept alive cause everyone involved is just so very happy to be a part of it :D

  • @alexiswhite7812
    @alexiswhite7812 Před rokem +889

    I actually work at the cruise line and have for 6 years. Fun fact: kissing the goose is supposed to give you good luck so you don't fall in on the north shore

  • @jordanmcintyre5148
    @jordanmcintyre5148 Před rokem +4060

    I think what I love most about Tom is his willingness and motivation to try crazy and interesting things despite being obviously uncomfortable and sometimes terrified. Awesome bloke.

    • @dannydevito5729
      @dannydevito5729 Před rokem +62

      He had a willingness to be awkward that I admire

    • @Novenae_CCG
      @Novenae_CCG Před rokem +47

      @argon The awkwardness is when he makes a big deal out of something he knows isn't that big a deal, I guess. But it's not a bad kind of awkward, as if it would imply him to be an insecure person, or anti-social. It's just that adorable nervousness when he's out of his element. But being out of his element _is_ his element, which is why he's really cool at the same time.

    • @jordanmcintyre5148
      @jordanmcintyre5148 Před rokem +18

      @@Novenae_CCG Yes, that's exactly it! Being out of his element is his element. That's what I love about him as a person.

    • @sirBrouwer
      @sirBrouwer Před rokem +7

      @@dannydevito5729 well it might have helped that he used to be Mad captain Tom.

    • @Gorrgrim
      @Gorrgrim Před rokem +4

      This may be interesting... but crazy?... terrifying?... Maybe terrifying if you've never been outside

  • @ellisballard
    @ellisballard Před rokem +189

    This isn't the point of the video but what really surprised me was 'outgoing mail'. For some reason I didn't realise in America you can just put outgoing post in your own mailbox to be taken away.

    • @nutbastard
      @nutbastard Před rokem +57

      Yep. That's what the flag is for. You put it up if you have outgoing mail.

    • @Timeyy
      @Timeyy Před rokem +70

      @@nutbastard Bruh Ive been looking at US mailboxes on TV for like 20 years and never even wondered what that thing was actually for lmao

    • @nutbastard
      @nutbastard Před rokem +60

      @@Timeyy The postal service in the USA isn't perfect, but it is very good compared to a lot of other countries in terms of how well it actually does work.
      It was designed around rural parameters, and before rail and cars and whatnot. The US is preposterously large, and a good portion of people don't live anywhere near anything even resembling a city.
      Coast to coast is well over 40 hours of driving. That's more than a work week to just traverse the country, with no stops.
      Paris to Moscow is only 30 hours.
      So the whole idea of outgoing mail makes sense because there are vast stretches of the US where there's hardly anything at all.
      But there is postal service for all of it.

    • @pompeii7839
      @pompeii7839 Před rokem +23

      @@nutbastard For my entire life, I saw those flags on TV and assumed was the opposite. I thought the mail delivery person put the flag up to tell the residents that they had received something.

    • @Elmojomo
      @Elmojomo Před rokem +2

      Wait, how do you send out your mail in not-America? I mean, I get that Post Offices exist, but surely not everyone lives within proximity to one? What if you need to mail something, and the nearest PO is 20-30 mins away? Do you have to take it there yourself?

  • @shaukahodan2373
    @shaukahodan2373 Před rokem +47

    Tom is the perfect example of "if you can't overcome your fear, do it scared"

  • @OLBastholm
    @OLBastholm Před rokem +2338

    Tom is so hilariously uncoordinated. I'm really impressed that he's putting himself in so obviously uncomfortable situations

    • @michaelbronson7410
      @michaelbronson7410 Před rokem +11

      If u really want to see how uncoordinated tom is, check out the parkour video

  • @jblen
    @jblen Před rokem +115

    I like the acknowledgement that he still had his mic on, and then going for the jump without taking it off anyway, as if there may have been some insightful commentary that wasn't worth missing for the sake of possibly buying a new mic... But he made it so it all worked out fine

    • @loganricherson3749
      @loganricherson3749 Před rokem +9

      The way I see it, it's just a cost of doing buisness. If he breaks the mic, it's going to cost him less than the benefit he'd get on the video for having it on. He either succeeded and doesn't loose anything but gains commentary, or he fails and still has the commentary which would be really funny and has to replace the mic, of which I'm sure he has spares

    • @jblen
      @jblen Před rokem +3

      @@loganricherson3749 if he fails though, he doesn't have the commentary because the mic is now soaked and shorted. I mean I guess it depends how waterproof it is and how hard he fails.

    • @loganricherson3749
      @loganricherson3749 Před rokem +4

      @@jblen the drive is probably fine so he could get the audio off it I'm guessing. It depends I guess

    • @lyndonlives638
      @lyndonlives638 Před rokem +4

      ​@@jblen If it was some kind of wireless mic then it'd be transmitting good audio through to a dry receiver right up til the moment it stopped functioning. From a video editing perspective, it would have been fantastic to have the sound of him falling in the water from his audio pov.

  • @adzriekunyu
    @adzriekunyu Před rokem +15

    The way he aggressively and audibly kissed the goose 😂

  • @buckethead60
    @buckethead60 Před rokem +766

    I love how about 3 seconds after letting out a primal scream, Tom still politely kisses the goose before departing

    • @oggiggs
      @oggiggs Před rokem +66

      It's not polite to keep a lady waiting

    • @vigilantcosmicpenguin8721
      @vigilantcosmicpenguin8721 Před rokem +68

      He was going to get those style points no matter what.

    • @yuvalne
      @yuvalne Před rokem +1

      +

    • @xsforreal
      @xsforreal Před rokem +35

      As someone who lives in the area, you're supposed to kiss the goose before you go out for good luck!

  • @poweroffriendship2.0
    @poweroffriendship2.0 Před rokem +3175

    Imagine if a pizza delivery guy can speedrun his way to reach for the customer's house by doing exact the same thing as Tom does.

    • @tz4015
      @tz4015 Před rokem +139

      kiss included and all

    • @Feakre
      @Feakre Před rokem +16

      "Pizza delivery" often takes longer than that 😂

    • @sirBrouwer
      @sirBrouwer Před rokem +22

      I could imagine some would order more for the show then the food.

    • @adwzt
      @adwzt Před rokem +42

      Your pizza might get wet someday

    • @LRataplan
      @LRataplan Před rokem +40

      I do not want a pizza with teeth marks.

  • @TheMilitantHorse
    @TheMilitantHorse Před rokem +19

    As someone with a parent in the USPS, I love seeing the quirky yet still active parts of the Mail Service. I love it.

  • @Glizzy__Mcguire
    @Glizzy__Mcguire Před rokem +36

    Tom is out here doing every side quest the game has to offer

  • @CHIIIEEEEEEEEFFFFSSS
    @CHIIIEEEEEEEEFFFFSSS Před rokem +2866

    I spent a summer at Lake Geneva a few years ago, and it's wild to see Tom having a very similar reaction to the one I had when I learned about this.

    • @cooldloop2381
      @cooldloop2381 Před rokem +2

      Wow you must be rich

    • @daexion
      @daexion Před rokem +9

      @@cooldloop2381 Doesn't mean they are rich.

    • @cooldloop2381
      @cooldloop2381 Před rokem +20

      @@daexion My grandma has a small condo on this lake and that alone costs around $300,000. This lake is where all the big business people of Chicago go for vacation. If you go on the boat they give you a tour and tell you about some of the mansions.

    • @teddylykowski8034
      @teddylykowski8034 Před rokem +11

      I have a cottage up there. Seeing Tom in areas where I go often is very odd.

    • @SylviaRustyFae
      @SylviaRustyFae Před rokem +11

      @@cooldloop2381 OP didnt say they owned where they stayed...

  • @RedLeader182
    @RedLeader182 Před rokem +1353

    Tom! I grew up on Lake Geneva, spent my youth on my father's boat on the waves, and he worked for nearly 30 years at Gage Marine, the company that owns these boats (The flag with the G on the employees shirts!). I just recently lost him. Seeing this pop up now on my feed gave me a huge smile. The boat jumpers are a local legend in our area. Thanks for a nice reminder of dad!

    • @LARAUJO_0
      @LARAUJO_0 Před rokem +13

      Rip

    • @AndrewKLove
      @AndrewKLove Před rokem +21

      sorry for you loss

    • @73frogs
      @73frogs Před rokem +17

      i'm real glad you got this as a sweet reminder :-) wish you the best!

    • @tsab398
      @tsab398 Před rokem

      Rest in peace for your dad, Hope you have good memories

  • @averagepo4474
    @averagepo4474 Před rokem +116

    It surprises me that out of all the weird things we do in Wisconsin this is the one Scott chose to cover. But at the same time it doesn't really surprise me lmao

    • @kevinresh8797
      @kevinresh8797 Před rokem +2

      It's cool to see a place I know on CZcams, but I agree with you on the weird stuff in Wisconsin

    • @mindfullymellow2323
      @mindfullymellow2323 Před rokem +5

      Mind blown. Tom Scott in Lake Geneva, just up the road. Good to see a Brit willing to explore beyond the US coasts (NY, LA, FL).

    • @cj2u11
      @cj2u11 Před rokem +1

      Tom going Sturgeon spearing could have been good though

  • @NBAI823
    @NBAI823 Před rokem +8

    Imagine jumping off a vessel and running onto a dock and having to sprint back before you are abandoned at a strangers house to deliver someone’s walmart coupons.

  • @abduljaleelkhan1449
    @abduljaleelkhan1449 Před rokem +2158

    tom is so scared to be physical yet he is so physical these days.

    • @unocualqu1era
      @unocualqu1era Před rokem +48

      My body is ready

    • @vegigun
      @vegigun Před rokem +166

      Getting body-slamed, tightrope walking, jumping off a boat to deliver mail, parkour ... at some point Tom is going to need to admit that he's developing some degree of physical fitness.

    • @matthew8153
      @matthew8153 Před rokem +11

      He trying to prove to himself he can still keep up with the whippersnappers.

  • @Abisanth11
    @Abisanth11 Před rokem +962

    Fun fact: The town is called "Lake Geneva" while the lake is called "Geneva Lake".
    They were both originally named after Geneva NY (confusingly split into the city and town of Geneva) which in turn was supposedly named after Geneva, Switzerland.
    Edit: To avoid confusion with Geneva IL, both were later renamed "Lake Geneva" and "Geneva Lake" respectively.

    • @jnzdg
      @jnzdg Před rokem +70

      I had to go and read the wikipedia article about this and I'm amazed at how bizarre the naming gets.
      Besides being named after Geneva, NY (due to having resembled it in some way) the city was renamed to Lake Geneva, to avoid confusion with Geneva, IL, which was also named aferer Geneva, NY.
      And finally Geneva, NY was named after Geneva, Switzerland located by lake Geneva.

    • @djsilversun
      @djsilversun Před rokem +21

      The whole thing is just named after Geneva and Lake Geneva in Switzerland, the New York thing literally doesn't matter one bit

    • @inefffable
      @inefffable Před rokem +21

      @@djsilversun wrong

    • @NotKyleChicago
      @NotKyleChicago Před rokem +3

      Also near Lake Geneva as you head west on Rt. 50 is "Geneva".

    • @IpwnNublets
      @IpwnNublets Před rokem +22

      Also the world’s largest tabletop gaming convention now held annually in Indianapolis is called GenCon because the creator of D&D, Gary Gygax, was from Lake Geneva, Wisconsin.

  • @petercory8128
    @petercory8128 Před rokem +36

    Anyone else throw their arms up in celebration with Tom when he successfully got back on the boat? Good job Tom 😁🥳

  • @101BlueShadow
    @101BlueShadow Před rokem +24

    Being from Wisconsin, it's so fun to see Tom here exploring quirky traditions I didn't know about! Thanks for visiting Tom! I need to go check this out myself!

    • @tangyorange6509
      @tangyorange6509 Před rokem

      The lake is very fun, I have a house in Williams Bay

  • @Erik_The_Viking
    @Erik_The_Viking Před rokem +382

    I was waiting for him to jump on the boat ledge, say "YES!" and then fall in the water when celebrating. Overall a great job Tom!

    • @vigilantcosmicpenguin8721
      @vigilantcosmicpenguin8721 Před rokem +3

      That would have been a great bit to dedicate to. It'd totally be worth getting drenched for comedy.

  • @owlivdejong5086
    @owlivdejong5086 Před rokem +362

    All of his parkour training showed with the way he broke down the steps and walked himself through leaping back on the boat. I love it.

    • @57thorns
      @57thorns Před rokem +39

      Yes, I forgot about that. He did some parkour as well as tight rope walking. The guy is definitely athletic.

    • @TryinaD
      @TryinaD Před rokem +26

      His parkour teacher gonna be so proud

    • @jliller
      @jliller Před rokem +10

      Nothing in life is ever wasted.

    • @vigilantcosmicpenguin8721
      @vigilantcosmicpenguin8721 Před rokem +5

      I'm so glad I live in a reality where we can talk about Tom Scott's parkour training and only be half-joking.

    • @PENFOLD5
      @PENFOLD5 Před rokem +1

      @@jliller “Time spent with an expert is never wasted.” - Gary Brennan

  • @MegaSnow121
    @MegaSnow121 Před rokem +20

    Tom, that was one of your best videos. Fun, informative and amazing. It made me smile - and your joy at not falling in or missing the boat, was a great ending. It’s heartwarming to see this 100+ year old service being kept up as a real meal delivery and a tourist attraction. One more place to add to my bucket list!

  • @nobodynobody1235
    @nobodynobody1235 Před rokem +10

    "If you don't know, now you know!"... Kind of thing
    Great video as always Tom

  • @sminthian
    @sminthian Před rokem +223

    If you're wondering about that yellow flashlight on his back, it's a common lifesaving light for personal flotation devices. They start blinking if they detect they're wet and float next to you, so people can find you if you fall into the water at night.

    • @crescentceleste
      @crescentceleste Před rokem +9

      I was not wondering about that but I'm grateful for the info!!!

  • @LeoYoshi54321
    @LeoYoshi54321 Před rokem +606

    Never thought I'd see Tom Scott kissing a goose on a pier in an American lake, but I also never thought I'd see Tom Scott in a profession wrestling event, so I guess it's fair.

  • @alex0589
    @alex0589 Před rokem +7

    This is one of those jobs you'd hear about from old folks that can't possibly still exist today, surely it's an urban legend...
    Great job getting the extra goose points!

  • @franklarosa740
    @franklarosa740 Před rokem +8

    I live in Wisconsin but had never heard of this before seeing your video. I bought tickets immediately and went on the cruise today. Thanks for making my weekend!

  • @Atlas.Brooklyn
    @Atlas.Brooklyn Před rokem +451

    "I am who I think you think I am"
    I worry that Tom believes himself to be physically inept on some levels because of how he views himself through the eyes of his peers. Proud of him for challenging that comfort.

    • @CockatooDude
      @CockatooDude Před rokem +18

      I mean he's an IT guy so I'm not surprised.

    • @bakerfx4968
      @bakerfx4968 Před rokem +38

      @@CockatooDude to be fair, he’s an IT guy who has now spent a few years doing a lot of non-IT stuff :P

    • @BlueZirnitra
      @BlueZirnitra Před rokem +35

      He kind of is. He's trying his best, but he is clearly not someone driven by the thrill of pushing one's body to the limits. He's what we call a good sport, and that's fine, that's why people like him.

    • @popenieafantome9527
      @popenieafantome9527 Před rokem +15

      He has definitely challenged his comfort levels. He allowed himself to be set on fire in a different video that showed how real fire is used in movies.

    • @vigilantcosmicpenguin8721
      @vigilantcosmicpenguin8721 Před rokem +2

      @@CockatooDude 2009 Tom Scott was an IT guy, but then he got rid of the ponytail.

  • @abhinavmelathil366
    @abhinavmelathil366 Před rokem +313

    If James Bond was in charge of a postal office

    • @idova
      @idova Před rokem +16

      no if it was james bond you would have to take a drink for each letter

    • @spankasheep
      @spankasheep Před rokem +24

      and the dock explodes afterwards XD

    • @jasper2469
      @jasper2469 Před rokem +34

      the name's bond, mail bond

    • @oz_jones
      @oz_jones Před rokem +2

      @@jasper2469 impeccable

    • @vigilantcosmicpenguin8721
      @vigilantcosmicpenguin8721 Před rokem

      There'd have to be an overly sexualized secretary at the office.

  • @RuijsNL
    @RuijsNL Před rokem +1

    Great to hear these people talk about this, seems like they really enjoy doing it. Also big props to you for rocking it Tom!

  • @colinmottram4429
    @colinmottram4429 Před rokem +12

    Tom’s nervous laugh is one of my favourite things! That was really exciting to watch- thank you!

  • @dosomethingcool6569
    @dosomethingcool6569 Před rokem +179

    As someone who has family in lake Geneva it’s really cool to have finally known the topic of a Tom Scott video before he explained it.

    • @ImLukas
      @ImLukas Před rokem

      I’ve visited Lake Geneva and it was kinda crazy to see Tom making a video on it from some place so close to home

  • @timothymclean
    @timothymclean Před rokem +1025

    Out of all the crazy stuff Tom's done, it's the little but adrenaliney things that are the scariest. Not so much the things that have a serious chance of death if someone screws up.

    • @MihikChaudhari
      @MihikChaudhari Před rokem +37

      Well, if someone misses jumping onto the boat or dock or slips, there is a chance they could get a head injury, lose consciousness and drown before the boat could even turn around for help

    • @hydroxyl5130
      @hydroxyl5130 Před rokem +2

      It's crazy a task like this is so paced. Why can't they stop?

    • @bakerfx4968
      @bakerfx4968 Před rokem +47

      @@hydroxyl5130 stopping at each would at least double or triple the time required out on the boat, it’s a tourist attraction, it’s cool, gives the kids a summer job, etc… I thought the reasons were quite clear from the video :P
      They could stop, and I’m sure if enough kids got hurt they would

    • @DrZaius3141
      @DrZaius3141 Před rokem +27

      Reminds me of the video about some massive cliff that's insanely dangerous and therefore very safe. If you can tell instinctively how dangerous it is, you will be more careful and more safeguards will be involved. If it's something "so easy, even kids can do it", that's where it can get dangerous if you are a person that takes things lightly.

    • @squillz8310
      @squillz8310 Před rokem +2

      @@DrZaius3141 I've heard that logic used before too. I'm not very familiar with the intricacies of it, but I'm familiar with it.

  • @oakenshadow6763
    @oakenshadow6763 Před rokem +1

    This is really cool. I love that they keep a tradition alive, making it safer with the ladders and vests. It so amazing.

  • @rafaelperalta1676
    @rafaelperalta1676 Před rokem +33

    Honestly made me laugh but not mockingly. I enjoyed every second of this and it's nice that they're still doing this awesome tradition for decades now. I hope it continues even further.

  • @hullinstruments
    @hullinstruments Před rokem +103

    “They know their outgoing mail might have tooth marks in it“ that got me !!! Yes it’s hilarious

  • @azayles
    @azayles Před rokem +206

    All of Tom's parkour training has led up to this moment :D

    • @ICountFrom0
      @ICountFrom0 Před rokem +8

      PARKOUR! This really was a chance to use what he'd learned before.

    • @azayles
      @azayles Před rokem +6

      @@ICountFrom0 I wonder if he's done more Parkour since, too, cause I'm sure he said he'd like to :D

    • @encycl07pedia-
      @encycl07pedia- Před rokem +3

      led*

    • @azayles
      @azayles Před rokem +1

      @@encycl07pedia- oops! Good catch 😅

  • @owie8212
    @owie8212 Před rokem +7

    As someone who occasionally orders live tarantulas, this made me unreasonably nervous

  • @shauntoastr
    @shauntoastr Před rokem +7

    I used to go up to Lake Geneva every summer and I remember going on these boats with my grandma. Its nice to have the memories come back.

  • @qloshae
    @qloshae Před rokem +408

    It's always so fun to see him not just document, but enthusiastically explore and participate in stuff if allowed to, even when realizing that he might put his equipment in danger or he's not super comfortable with it. People learn things and everyone involved has a good time.

  • @jonasdatlas4668
    @jonasdatlas4668 Před rokem +344

    This is such an amazingly bad idea it sort of overflowed and wrapped around into being awesome again and now I kind of want to try it.

    • @peterfireflylund
      @peterfireflylund Před rokem +34

      Ideas use modular arithmetic.

    • @peterrose5373
      @peterrose5373 Před rokem +8

      It's not the fact that they do this, it's the speed at which they go.

    • @Cvmpbell
      @Cvmpbell Před rokem

      This looks like so much fun lmao, even falling on your ass would be hilarious

    • @vigilantcosmicpenguin8721
      @vigilantcosmicpenguin8721 Před rokem +1

      A good idea is a bad idea plus time.

  • @FSUMercerian
    @FSUMercerian Před rokem +9

    These experiential videos of Tom doing weird jobs/tasks are just the absolute best.

  • @HimanXK
    @HimanXK Před rokem +6

    Tom is really turning into an athlete. Parkour, wrestling, now boat jumping. Really fun to watch him take on all of these sports and challenges

  • @Mutual_Information
    @Mutual_Information Před rokem +320

    Tom Scott visiting your local operation to make a CZcams video has got to be exciting.. what a kick to the day.

  • @OptimusPhillip
    @OptimusPhillip Před rokem +91

    That is the best "One Take" moment in Tom Scott history.

    • @TheAmorphousGamer
      @TheAmorphousGamer Před rokem +10

      Nah, I still think the bottled water video has got it beat.

    • @notthatcreativewithnames
      @notthatcreativewithnames Před rokem +6

      Don't forget that time when Tom talked about CZcams video IDs and recited the full value of 64^11 while walking in a park.

    • @mrmelon54
      @mrmelon54 Před rokem

      @@notthatcreativewithnames that video was also sick

    • @vigilantcosmicpenguin8721
      @vigilantcosmicpenguin8721 Před rokem

      There has been a lot of good planning in Tom Scott history, but this is the best luck.

  • @AA-iq6ev
    @AA-iq6ev Před rokem +10

    This looks like so much fun, perfect summer job

  • @nnerd
    @nnerd Před rokem +9

    I love lake Geneva! My grandparents live about 10 minutes away and we used to watch these guys do this all the time!

  • @khalilahd.
    @khalilahd. Před rokem +680

    This is actually such a cool tradition. It’s nice to see people keeping traditions like this alive 😅💜

    • @Ntmoffi
      @Ntmoffi Před rokem +5

      It's you again. You're everywhere.

    • @georgeiii2998
      @georgeiii2998 Před rokem +5

      Are you a bot?

    • @1nsaniel
      @1nsaniel Před rokem +6

      But the tradition is dangerous

    • @57thorns
      @57thorns Před rokem +2

      @@almostblank4025 Clearly not 25, which is when you start to be able to actually assess danger as you brain is by then fully developed.

    • @allenfortenberry9924
      @allenfortenberry9924 Před rokem +11

      @@57thorns and yet we allow people to make almost all of the most dangerous discisions in life by themselves starting at age 18, a full 7 years earlier. Heck, 9 years before their brains are fully developed we let them get behind large machines that move at high speeds very close to other such machines. For some reason I doubt that this has anywhere near the same rate of serious injuries per person as teenagers driving cars

  • @julietemily8157
    @julietemily8157 Před rokem +233

    being one of the drivers seems just as hard, holy hell they get so close to those docks

    • @sherri5550
      @sherri5550 Před rokem +97

      He’s the best… I’m biased, he’s my husband!

    • @bigmike8586
      @bigmike8586 Před rokem +6

      @@sherri5550 Glad you guys found the video! Have there been a lot more tourists booking dates lately?

    • @sherri5550
      @sherri5550 Před rokem +6

      It’s always busy!

    • @vigilantcosmicpenguin8721
      @vigilantcosmicpenguin8721 Před rokem +1

      That driver must be the most qualified person for the job of getting a boat close to a dock so that a teenager can jump up from the boat to run up to a mailbox and back onto the boat to deliver mail.

  • @RumoSenpai
    @RumoSenpai Před rokem +3

    This seems like a fun job!! Thanks for showing this, Tom!!

  • @JoshuaMorgan
    @JoshuaMorgan Před rokem

    What an awesome episode! Good job, Tom, and thanks for sharing!

  • @linollieum3742
    @linollieum3742 Před rokem +176

    I recommend that everyone watch the inside edition video on this (yes I know, inside edition is stupid but the footage is cool), it actually shows the tryouts, and there are some really hard falls. It really shows the dedication to this job that the tryouts have and how hard and dangerous this job can be until you're used to it, since for Tom's video here they only showed the 5 year veteran making it look easy, and Tom's lucky try where he nailed it.
    "Teen Mail Boat Jumpers Might Be the Best Job Ever inside edition"

  • @minecraftmatthew1393
    @minecraftmatthew1393 Před rokem +101

    The fact that Tom actually did it despite talking himself down is amazing.

  • @TheDufanzy
    @TheDufanzy Před rokem

    I love all of your videos but this has to be my favorite so far. So simple and fun while being informative about this interesting little tradition.

  • @GUNUFofficial
    @GUNUFofficial Před rokem +6

    There's a place called house on the rock in Wisconsin, there's something called the infinity room, an automatic orchestra, the worlds largest carousel, and a bunch of other wild things you'd probably like.

  • @Thisandthat8908
    @Thisandthat8908 Před rokem +48

    love how the lady sounded so genuinely happy when he made it.

  • @phyphor
    @phyphor Před rokem +196

    I'm old enough that I remember when trains in the UK used to have doors you could open before arriving at a station and regular commuters would hop out before the rain had stopped. I didn't think Tom was that much younger, so I'm surprised that he was surprised by the technique of getting off a moving vehicle to a stationary platform.

    • @CouchPotator
      @CouchPotator Před rokem +37

      It's a much bigger gap. I'd think the boat also moves faster as slow boats can't maneuver, but that's a completely guess. There's also no space for a mistake landing back on the boat.

    • @SquareyCircley
      @SquareyCircley Před rokem +5

      Tom's a fair bit older than me and I even remember those trains :/

    • @RadimBadsi
      @RadimBadsi Před rokem +11

      You can still do that on lines 3, 6, 10, 11 and 12 of the Paris metro ;)

    • @cameronbreeze4029
      @cameronbreeze4029 Před rokem +20

      Piers are also often very wet and slippery, with the added risk of falling into water after receiving blunt force trauma jumping from a moving vehicle.

    • @tommydoez
      @tommydoez Před rokem +19

      I think it's more due to the fact that when you're younger, jumping off a moving vehicle is just a risk you take for the fun of it. but when you get older then you're more wary of twisting your ankles.

  • @DescendDab
    @DescendDab Před 3 měsíci

    This is just awesome. Tom legitimatly is one of, if not the, best youtuber I've ever had the pleasure of watching. Both informative and very fun, I love it!

  • @obi-wancanblowme5968
    @obi-wancanblowme5968 Před rokem +12

    I've lived in WI all my life and never knew this was a thing.

  • @Tea-Spin
    @Tea-Spin Před rokem +76

    I’m more impressed by the boat driver to be able to get so close with the dock

  • @nankinink
    @nankinink Před rokem +249

    knowing about this mail jumping thing, this is something so Tom-ish that I stopped for a second and asked myself, haven't Tom made a video about this already?? lmao

    • @superjare23
      @superjare23 Před rokem +5

      There was a kid that post Tiktoks of it; thinking of him?

    • @sw8296
      @sw8296 Před rokem +15

      I swear i've seen something like this before and I can't believe it wasn't a Tom Scott video

    • @Zack_Wester
      @Zack_Wester Před rokem +4

      i had the same thought then I realized it was In Sweden.
      the boat did slow down when docking if the runner needed it. and did do a loop if the runner failed to get back.

    • @marekriebmann1495
      @marekriebmann1495 Před rokem +4

      I saw that before too but I can not imagine where. Before I spend nights sleepless thinking of on which vacation I could have saw this, is there any movie out there with a little scene of a box doing this mail jumping?

    • @CrumCringle
      @CrumCringle Před rokem +3

      No, i 100% have seen a video like this before
      Edit: it was A video about this by Inside Edition

  • @federicosilvestri5527
    @federicosilvestri5527 Před rokem +8

    Tom went for the style points. What a legend

  • @King--God
    @King--God Před rokem +2

    Im So glad you decided to visit the mail boat! I emailed you probably a year ago suggesting a visit. Im rightly mad that I missed your arrival in Lake Geneva!

  • @rufusgreenleaf2466
    @rufusgreenleaf2466 Před rokem +21

    When Tom Scott becomes Tom Cruise, *Mission ImPostable*
    I know it was a stretch.

    • @ailaG
      @ailaG Před rokem +1

      Cruise boat surely

    • @ZT1ST
      @ZT1ST Před rokem

      @@ailaG Speed 2: Cruise Control reboot - now with a segment in the middle of it where postal mail is being delivered to get a message to the oil tanker to get out of the way.

  • @jamez6398
    @jamez6398 Před rokem +24

    "Stopping the boat for safety?? No, that's way too inefficient!!"
    I love that Yankee work ethic... 😆

  • @daytonwhite9507
    @daytonwhite9507 Před rokem

    This made me smile, Tom. Thanks.

  • @Sheza58
    @Sheza58 Před rokem

    Props to the captain. Lovely smooth accurate approach

  • @victorswaroop2289
    @victorswaroop2289 Před rokem +9

    4:19 "They know their outgoing mails may have tooth marks on it" - bites the mails 🤣🤣

  • @MaxxMcGeePrivate
    @MaxxMcGeePrivate Před rokem +37

    I'm also very impressed how close they drive by the piers. With that speed and the boats are not small, a crash would certainly deal some good damage.

  • @Vinemaple
    @Vinemaple Před rokem +4

    Always keep hold of the railing, Tom! Hand over hand, one hand for the ship and one for yourself!

  • @TarenNauxen
    @TarenNauxen Před rokem +5

    Lived in this region most of my life and I've never heard of this. Absolutely amazing. Next thing you know, Tom's going to learn to play Hammer-Schlagen!

  • @DerAlex86
    @DerAlex86 Před rokem +45

    Since you seemed to enjoy delivering mail by boat so much: In Lehde (Spreewald) in Germany, about 60 houses have two mailboxes, one on the road side for winter, and one on the lake side for summer. Not sure which one is more physically demanding - the boat in Lehde doesn't even have an engine, you'd be punting it on the whole route.

  • @ImLlaver
    @ImLlaver Před rokem +115

    Tom Scott doing literally anything physical is the most entertaining thing on youtube.

    • @martinpaulsen1592
      @martinpaulsen1592 Před rokem +5

      What's fascinating to me is how, despite his lack of athleticism, Tom seems to have a very clear grasp of what his body is doing at any given time. You see it in a lot of the videos he puts on Tom Scott Plus - he really goes through what he's trying to make his body do, what it is doing, and how he can correct it - and for anything from gross-scale things like blacksmithing, stage combat, or parkour to fine-scale things like vocal control or throwing pottery.

    • @zyaicob
      @zyaicob Před rokem

      +

  • @lastnamefirstname8655
    @lastnamefirstname8655 Před rokem +1

    cool tradition. didn't know about this. thanks tom!

  • @thefrub
    @thefrub Před rokem +2

    4:15 Bravo to the editor, perfect synchronization of the interview and the footage there

  • @michaelhagerman1074
    @michaelhagerman1074 Před rokem +135

    I feel like Tom is going through my random CZcams history and doing all the things I've learned about. I love it!

  • @spankasheep
    @spankasheep Před rokem +67

    Tom Scott, becoming the most informative stuntman :D

  • @maxtremblay
    @maxtremblay Před rokem +1

    This video made me smile more than it should have 😅 This mail-delivering system is both absurd and awesome

  • @gamergirl209
    @gamergirl209 Před rokem

    I saw a TikTok showing this a few months ago. Glad to see a little more about it!

  • @JohnFoley1701
    @JohnFoley1701 Před rokem +12

    The best part about tom scott visiting your country is that he informs you of something you never knew existed in your own backyard.

  • @richards7909
    @richards7909 Před rokem +69

    “This is a bad idea by having teenagers jump off a moving boat to deliver mail’.
    Introducing Tom Scott to show them how it’s done… :D
    PS Now we know why he’s been doing things like parkour, roller coasters etc! All for this one moment.

  • @barpe4514
    @barpe4514 Před rokem +1

    I only saw these on tiktok before, so cool that Scott made a video about it

  • @matthewmccoll185
    @matthewmccoll185 Před rokem

    Hey, the newest Tom Scott Video ever made!!!! nice to listen to you speak on current events Tom.

  • @mathieuverschelden4525
    @mathieuverschelden4525 Před rokem +26

    Another thing Tom can add to his resume: jumping mailman.

    • @OGSumo
      @OGSumo Před rokem +3

      And goose-mailbox smoocher :)