What Recession? (and other gripes)

I have now been responsible for taking the deposits to our new bank (@ work--we switched from Bank of America recently) only three times. The first time was fine, but my last two experiences have been less than stellar. My first problem, is that our old bank was 3 doors down from our store. Our new one is not a hike by any means, but it still takes a bit of time to walk to the new institution. Gets me out of the store for a few minutes anyway--so no gripe there.

The second to most recent venture had me dropping my jaw at the ridiculous disorganization rampant in this place. The line was long, employees were standing around. I was brought to the front by one of the apparent managers, so she could count my money; thus giving the teller I would ultimately end up with; a bit of a head start. She asked no less than 3 tellers if I could be taken next, and then I was overrun by someone else. In the end, I finally got my deposits counted, and my change...well, changed. My round trip; for simple deposits and a bit of change, ended up being about 25 minutes. WTF?

Okay, moving on to yesterday. This is a legitimate concern; unlike the previous gripe.

My return to the bank found me at the teller in a matter of seconds. Good. Great. Wonderful start.

For being a teller @ a high profile bank in the heart of Beverly Hills, I was flabbergasted by his service skills; not to mention his cash handling. I don't know who hired this guy, or why. He handled cash as if he had never done so before; seemingly having a difficult time counting the money (not sure why he didn't us the machine that counts the bills automatically?). It was as if he were a child! I had four deposits, and a change request. The biggest shocks of this event are listed from the not sooooo bad, to completely unbelievable.

1) He counted one of the deposits, which had checks as well as cash. On the bottom of the deposit slip (pretty common I'm guessing), was the total for checks AND cash. A frightening concept apparently. Since my change didn't match up w/ what was on the deposit slip, he felt the need to question me. I explained that the amount on the bottom, would show the cents from both the checks AND cash. Based on his reaction, this was an eye-opener.

2) After a long journey to finish those pesky deposits (what w/ CASH of all things AND some double digit CHECKS for crying out loud!), it was time for me to make change for our registers. While it may seem a bit more time consuming for me to list my change order by our 2 cash registers (keeping it easy for us upon return to the store); certainly this is not a big deal for a person at a bank to decipher...one would think. A quick add up of $50 in 1's for REGISTER ONE, and a $50 in 1's for REGISTER TWO; would be $100 in 1's...right? Easy squeezy! Well, I had to double check his #s as he went, cuz this whole concept was clearly too difficult for him.

3) The creme de la creme of this happy go-lucky trip to the bank is really mind boggling. I ask that you sit down, take a breath and prepare for what will no doubt leave you a bit faint. As he was pulling out rolls of coins for my change order, he had to pause and ask the teller next to him, "HOW MANY IN A ROLL OF DIMES?" I could not believe my eyes and ears. What person, even a regular everyday civilian--not to mention someone working in a BANK--doesn't know how much is in a roll of coins? Then...THEN...he had to ask the same question about a roll of pennies.

STOP.

How on God's green earth did this guy get a job @ a bank; let alone ANYWHERE in an economy such as this? I am absolutely floored by this experience, and am considering talking to the bank manager. It's not as if I have nothing better to do than to tattle on some teller, but MY GOD, how did he get this job? In the words of uber-lesbian Rachel Maddow, "I need someone to talk me down."

Do I want to return to this bank for my banking needs? No. Do I want to go back to the one a half block away. You bet your ass.

What is going on in this world?

My second (and final) gripe for today; involves the Fantastic Sam's down the way from us. The other half and I went in for our haircuts, and there was one guy ahead of us. I don't know how long he had been there, but based on his sudden outburst after a few moments of sitting next to him, it must have been a VERY LONG TIME. "F*** this...Goddammit that". He then proceeded to get up and (he didn't yell) forcefully ask the employees how soon he would be getting his haircut? Apparently, he was on his lunch (we all learned that he had an hour lunch break). The woman told him there was one person ahead of him. He flinged his magazine down and with a sarcastic "thanks alot" he huffed out the door.

My first question...do you shop at the Z in Beverly Hills? Cuz my customers sure like to disregard the old saying, "Bad planning on YOUR part, does not make an emergency on MY part". In fact, many of my customers spit on this saying, throw it in the dust, and take their manicured poodle over to do its nasty business on top of it. They just don't like this phrase.

My second question is...why don't you find a place that takes appointments? After all, you are entering a place where it is "first come, first serve" (another phrase the world doesn't understand; nor do most of my customers--nor does this guy).

These people need to be taught a lesson. I'm not talking about anything violent, but they really need to see things from someone else's perspective, or see a video of themselves in these situations. It could be quite helpful.

Anyway, I feel better having relieved myself of these painful interactions with others in the world.

So, all can proceed into a healthy and happy 2010. Neat.