TITLE: a bank teller tells AUTHOR: WITHHELD BY AUTHORS REQUEST ABSTRACT: NONE ARTICLE:

I was in grade thirteen, OAC philosophy class, when, I think we were studying Plato’s “Gorgias”, discussing the state of speech as an art or a knack; anyhow I don’t quite remember how the conversation turned to this, but I distinctly recall my teacher expressing his feelings about Bank Tellers. He thought being a bank teller had to be the most stupid job, and how bank tellers think they’re doing something being behind the counter, stamping here and there loudly feeling important, and naturally shinning through with their mathematical skills because they can count money so quickly. Most of us, including yours truly, just laughed about his ideas. Actually, I’m not so sure if I was laughing more about his ideas, or about his cocky attitude especially towards one of our classmates who was a teller.

Anyway, six - seven years have gone by, I graduated from a well known university (U of T) with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy. Guess what I do for a living? Oh relax, it’s not that bad - it’s just worst - Yup, you got it, I ’m a b a n k t e l l e r . Oh, Customer Service rep., there we go, that’ll make me feel better, you know, it sounds better. They rephrased the word teller, thinking it’ll boost the person’s ego, make them feel important, you know, like they’re the manager or something.

Well, after going to university for four years, graduating during a recession, when no one gave a graduate a chance, a title like CSR becomes very appealing. Not because it’s the position you had dreamt of getting during exam period or essay deadlines, but mainly because it gets you up every morning, and gives you something to do.

I remember my excitement when I got this position. Only now, I am able to see clearly that it was not the position that I was excited about, but that I was actually given that position, even if it was being a bank teller, “the most stupid job” according to my teacher; which reminds me, I should visit and explain to him that it’s not as easy as he had put it, and that it takes a lot to deal with cocky clients like he probably is.

The point is, you take what comes in your way, especially at a time when things aren’t available. I mean how is it that I’m supposed to have experience when no one out there is offering me the chance, or giving me the opportunity to prove my abilities to them? Which takes you to the next stage - depression, discouragement ....... it’s so easy to get on that cycle, in deep thought with should’ves and could’ves, anyhow, that’s another chapter.

(name is withheld by author’s request.)

This article was originally published in Cross Cultures Magazine in Volume 7 - Issue 1 - 1997. Unauthorized copying, distribution or other usage without express written permission of the publisher is prohibited.