The world has evolved technologically and we now live in a fast paced world where you can do anything from create a dream wedding online to buying a mail order bride. Internet banking was most probably one of the most convenient inventions of all time, or so I thought until I had to stand in a queue for 50 minutes the other day to change the cell phone number on my profile. Surely this could have been done via telephone banking?
The enquiries queue was not that long, but there were only 2 tellers and they were working at snails pace.
I have never enjoyed going to the bank what with the security guards' eyes following you wherever you go and the tellers having that knowing look on their faces, ready to catch you out if you are trying to commit fraud. The whole atmosphere is just not appealing, never mind all the posters about how your bank is on your side when you know full well the opposite is true.
During my wait, 4 people in front of my could wait no longer and left. One lady invited all and sundry to go before her, sparing no thought to those behind her who had to get back to business. I'm all for kindness, but you should think how many people you are affecting in the process.
Half way to the front, enters a man in dirty old clothes, unkempt and reeking of alcohol. He struck up a conversation with everyone who would listen about how his beautiful young wife left him 30 years ago. He proceeded to serenade every woman in the bank with his rendition of "The way you look tonight", by Chris De Burgh, all the while pushing ahead in the queue. The receptionist, who usually questions your intentions for coming to the bank, did not stop him, despite numerous complaints from angry clients.
I tried not to think of all I could have done in those 50 minutes and the traveling time. Time is precious as we have to earn money to keep the bank manager happy and then to pay our bills, yet our banks mess us around. How is it that the very institution that is most demanding of how soon you pay them, is the slowest when it comes to giving you the service you need urgently in order to earn the money they want from you?
