I went to visit my bank earlier, to see one of the personal bankers. Next to me was a young woman from Uganda who didn't speak much english, trying to open an account, and the poor woman from Barclays was trying to explain to her concepts like "mother's maiden name" and "three previous addresses".
Then a big argument broke out behind me, with someone who was an employer trying to help his Korean employee get a bank account. The poor guy from Barclays was explaining that without any proof of address there was nothing he could do, and the employer was explaining that the Korean guy was staying in a company owned flat so couldn't provide any utility bills. He also said (quite loudly) "He lives in the UK, he pays tax in the UK, how the hell can he not be able to get a bank account?" Fair point.
You have to feel sorry for everyone involved, and it occurs to me that these people must have to deal with this tulip all day every day. They must have been really pleased to see me: a British person, with an account, who wanted something simple.
Sign of the times?
Then a big argument broke out behind me, with someone who was an employer trying to help his Korean employee get a bank account. The poor guy from Barclays was explaining that without any proof of address there was nothing he could do, and the employer was explaining that the Korean guy was staying in a company owned flat so couldn't provide any utility bills. He also said (quite loudly) "He lives in the UK, he pays tax in the UK, how the hell can he not be able to get a bank account?" Fair point.
You have to feel sorry for everyone involved, and it occurs to me that these people must have to deal with this tulip all day every day. They must have been really pleased to see me: a British person, with an account, who wanted something simple.
Sign of the times?
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