Having heard and seen in the media the new experience that everyone is facing these days in India, I ventured out of my virtual world to gain first-hand bricks and mortar experience. I walked up to my Bank branch that I frequent when in town, armed with my cheque book. There were just 4 men standing outside the door, but when I tried to enter the guard stopped me and asked the purpose of my visit. I flashed the cheque book and told him that I wanted to withdraw money from my account. He asked me to join the four guys and wait. After 5 minutes when the guard again appeared at the door, I showed him the words "Preferred" on the cheque leaf and asked if I could get the 'preference'. He gave me the helpless smile and shrug of shoulders. Another 5 minutes and the five of us got ushered into the branch. My account manager recognized me and greeted me. When he learned the purpose of my visit he pointed towards the two counters that had about 30 people each standing and told me that I could choose to join either of the queues. Very helpful account manager! Next time when he makes an overseas call to speak to me, I will let him know my exact feelings.
As I stood very patiently and with every intention of seeing this through, I felt a gentle tap on my shoulder. I turned around to see a gentleman with a couple of forms and cheques in hand. When I inquisitively arched my eyebrows, he said - ' Sir why don't you go to that counter, there are only two people waiting there'. Of course, my parents have taught me as a kid not to talk to strangers and over the years I have grown very skeptic of strangers who try to help me in a bank. So my response was I am OK here. Then two others also said the same thing to me. In a democracy, you cannot refuse such an offer voiced by more than one person. I moved to this shorter queue and stood happily there. The gentleman from the longer queue then explained to me - ' Sir this line is for senior citizens, why should you wait so long in the other line'.
I was out of the bank in another two minutes. So it didn't take me five hours to withdraw money but the experience has now got me staring into any mirror that I pass by. Senior citizen - who me ? Couldn't be, at least not yet!
As I stood very patiently and with every intention of seeing this through, I felt a gentle tap on my shoulder. I turned around to see a gentleman with a couple of forms and cheques in hand. When I inquisitively arched my eyebrows, he said - ' Sir why don't you go to that counter, there are only two people waiting there'. Of course, my parents have taught me as a kid not to talk to strangers and over the years I have grown very skeptic of strangers who try to help me in a bank. So my response was I am OK here. Then two others also said the same thing to me. In a democracy, you cannot refuse such an offer voiced by more than one person. I moved to this shorter queue and stood happily there. The gentleman from the longer queue then explained to me - ' Sir this line is for senior citizens, why should you wait so long in the other line'.
I was out of the bank in another two minutes. So it didn't take me five hours to withdraw money but the experience has now got me staring into any mirror that I pass by. Senior citizen - who me ? Couldn't be, at least not yet!
