The doorstep visitors/street callers must have been such a lifeline then - socially and mentally - to those living on their own, guaranteeing interaction between neighbours long before anybody had ever heard the expression 'mental health'.
I remember:
'rag 'n bone' (A bit scary - I always picture Heathcliffe as him, never mind which actor is really playing him)
Avon lady (Isetta bubble car death trap)
Man from the Pru (suit, that's about it)
The butcher (perky, nice guy but rat face)
Pools collector
Window cleaner (in mum's young photos she looks like Elizabeth Taylor, and thinking back this chancer must have fancied a bit of the Robin Askwiths with her, although I was too young to realise. He never ventured indoors though!)
Everything online now, with delivery drivers using the 'tap + run' technique whenever they can, there must be so many single people who hardly ever even pass the time of day with anybody, but would love somebody to chat to. Then again, delivery driver metrics don't allow them that luxury.
A different world, definitely...