Brick and mortar and possibly my new stalker
Yesterday I went to my local Wells-Fargo branch to deposit a couple of checks and proceeded to have this interaction with the teller who assisted me.
Teller: "How's your day going?"
Me: "Fine, thanks."
Teller: "And what are you up to today?"
Me: blink.
Um, depositing checks? I wasn't quite sure how to answer that, so I sort of just looked at him.
Teller, prompting me helpfully: "Are you working today? Or just running errands?"
Me: "Um, you know. Getting things done." Things like minding my own flipping business.
Teller: "And how has your week been so far?"
Me: "Fine." SERIOUSLY. Are we done here??? I don't have to tell you my life story if I don't feel like it.
Now, I realize that the guy was just trying to make friendly conversation. I do that as part of my job too, but it seems like you really have to ease into that sort of thing--that it happens naturally the longer your interaction lasts. And you generally want to follow the OTHER persons lead.
I've actually noticed that all of the tellers and bankers at that branch go a bit above and beyond with the greetings and the chit-chat. It's probably something that is encouraged as part of their workplace culture. One Friday evening I was asked by female employees if I have any fun plans for the weekend, which didn't bother me at all. Does this mean I am sexist, perhaps? Was I just so thrilled that as a newlywed I could say something to her that was not "eat peanut butter with a spoon by myself all night while I wonder which animal is going to get to my dead body first?" Or was this guy maybe just not as smooth about the chatting as some of the women are?
It's interesting to speculate though on what other conversational gambits may await me in future visits.
"Hi there, what do you like to do for fun?"
"So, what have you eaten today?"
"Please map out for me exactly what you will be doing for the rest of the day."
"How many brothers and sisters do you have?"
"What kind of birth control do you use?"
"Have you had a bowel movement in the last 24 hours?"
Should be good times.
I'm Steph, a librarian and mom of 3 (not sure how that happened). Let's chat books, food, Sumptuous Literary Adaptations, poop, knitting and maybe some crazy Mormon Feminism.
12 comments:
Mom just blogged about people doing this to her too. You are all crazy. No one ever asks me what I'm doing when I'm in public. You could also ask them the number one best thing to ask someone you don't know 'what is your greatest fear'.
I was just asked TODAY what kind of birth control I use. Of course, I was having my annual gynecologist exam, too, so it was less awkward than it sounds.
Also, I hate to say it, but that's what you get for using Wells Fargo, aka the scourge of the last days.
on my recent travails through new york state, i was flabbergasted that the toll booth people there actually said "hi", made eye contact and sometimes even threw in a "have a nice day." seriously having grown up in the northeast, you usually have to drive to virginia to get that hospitality(which is always kind of fun because you actually have a clear distinction of when you are entering the south.) maybe the powers that be are encouraging these young (which they all were)new toll workers to be nice too (which is probably good since they obviously are planning on solving their state's budget problems by having the most ridiculous toll charges!)
any talk about BM's is excellent preparation for motherhood BTW.
I've noticed that at the bank too. In the back of my head I'm always thinking, "this transaction wouldn't take so long if you'd just push your little buttons and give me my receipt already."
I actually do need to go to the bank some time this week. We'll see what they want to talk about.
"Things like minding my own flipping business."
That is the identical thought I had yesterday. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree.
Next time follow his lead and jump in with the "So how are your bowels?" question before he one-ups you. Or totally interrupt him as you stare at his nose and point to yours, saying "You have something, um, right about there..." and let him keep trying to wipe the invisible booger while you complete your transaction and tell HIM to have a great day.
If you lived in Sandy I would totally guess what bank you are talking about.
All of your questions, remind me of very bad questions to ask on a first date.
It must have something to do with their corporate training videos, because I've noticed that trend too.
One time I was at the bank, and it was a small branch, so you could hear everything going on in the one drive-through lane. And I guess the girl in the car new the teller because they were chatting. And teller girl asked what Car Girl was doing that night. And Car Girl said, "Oh, I'm going on a date. But I totally don't want to go. I'm just not into the guy. I mean, he's really nice, but you know I just like him for a friend, you know?" And it was SO LOUD those of us in line at the inside tellers were all discussing how we felt bad for the guy.
And that was the least chatty bank teller I've ever had at WF because he was way too busy nosing in on Car Girl's life story (like the rest of us) that he couldn't be bothered to nosy himself into my life story.
I was once asked by a Wal-Mart checker what kind of conditioner I use. Apparently she admired my healthy curls, because she said that her hair was always too dry and frizzy. Thanks, lady. That was more than I needed to know about you.
Oh, dear. My kids tell me the Wells Fargo branch in Lehi is the worst, because they make mistakes and then try to blame you for them. And when my son went in to try to solve the problem, the female employee said--before hearing what he wanted--"Got a problem with your overdraft charges?" She picked the wrong person to talk to like that...
I love it. Or I hate it, like you do. But I love that you've written about it. Funny post, and funny blog. :)
Post a Comment