Instead, I want to write about how getting old means you process events differently. At least I process them differently than I would have a decade or more ago.
Yesterday I was standing in line at the ATM outside a branch of our bank that is in a small strip mall near my home. One man was taking a rather long time at the machine and there was another in front of me waiting. I stood a polite three feet behind. A man in his 60s got out of his car from the parking lot and walked between us and then turned to the man at the machine and said, "That ATM is not working! It would not give me my money and then I got a text on my phone that said the money had been withdrawn. I am going inside and see what is going on."
I followed the man inside the Bank and waited my turn. The lady at the counter said that he did not need to worry about his phone message because the computers crossed paths. She checked his account, the money had not been withdrawn and then offered to get cash for him from his account. She said the ATM machine had been broken "a while." Both the man and I said they should put out a sign so that people do not wait in the hot sun. She responded that they are not allowed to put signs at the machine(!). (And the machine is broken, so it is unable to put its own sign!)
Now before you reveal your age, please note that my daughter told me she has not been to a bank in ages. She does all her banking on her phone! Cash never touches her hands again. All of the customers in this instance were gray-headed.
The recent international failure of Cloudstrike (which is a computer server business) that brought much of the airline industry to its knees for two or more days as well as numerous businesses, makes me dismayed by it all. This was not a nefarious hacking job, just them uploading a new version of their programming!
My patience is thinning. Clearly, I do not have a dog...cheerio.
Anyone I meet at a banking machine is gray haired come to think of it. Cheerio indeed!
ReplyDeleteI understand patience thinning.
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I do all my banking virtually, even though I am an octogenarian. Long time since I've needed a physical bank for much of anything,
ReplyDeleteI recently thought I should get some cash, which I would do at a cash machine, but then I never did. I have been carrying around the same $20 bill for many months, just in case, and that case has not risen. i just turned 80. I do my banking on line.
ReplyDeleteHappy to see you back!
ReplyDeleteI admit to using the ATM, but only about every 6 months or so.
The great mystery to me is why new bank branches are still springing up around us.
it is such a frustrating time and nice when people can be patient... for a while. I have to write a blog for Saturday and have no idea what to write given our tumultuous times.
ReplyDeleteI do most of my banking online, but yes, I use cash and often go to an ATM. We're on a slippery slope.
ReplyDeleteIf you ever do feel like posting pictures from your trip, I'd enjoy seeing them, even without much writing or explanation with it.
I do go to the bank for occasional cash, but always go inside. ATM's scare me. Always afraid will eat my card!
ReplyDeleteI think I last went into a bank around 9 years ago. I can remember why but not exactly when. I do all my banking on line. Good topic, but I'll still wait for photos from your recent expedition.
ReplyDeleteI last went into a bank around 9 years ago. I can remember why but not exactly when. Good topic, but I'll keep waiting for photos from your recent expedition.
ReplyDeleteI bank on line. I use cards in my phone. I do carry cash just in case. I get it as cash out from the local supermarket. So I dont use ATM's or banks. I'm 82. It is rediculous not to have a sign saying "Out of Order" on the said ATM. Hang in there. Getting old is not for sissies.
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