Wednesday, August 31, 2011

45 Things I've Learned by Being a Bank Teller

I had a good laugh today when one of my colleagues sent around an email about 50 Things I Have Learned by Being a Bank Teller.  This list pretty much details our job to a "T".  I took out a few that didn't really relate to me (as it is an American list), but bolded the ones that define us tellers perfectly. I realize that a lot of people don't realize what they are doing, so maybe these will just be good reminders for the next time you go in to your bank :) Enjoy!

45 Things I've Learned by Being a Bank Teller


1. I know everyone in the world, so I never need to ask for ID.
2. I’ll be with you in one moment, means ‘Come right up here into my business and breathe your popcorn breath in my face for a while.
3. Every bank in the world steals money from its customers, particularly the ones that don’t keep a register.
4. I’m always kidding when I tell people a cheque is not any good. I’m a good kidder.
5. I know the balance of every account at the bank.
6. I am at the bank just because I feel like it; my wicket isn’t actually open when I say, "I'd like to help you here!"
7. I know everyone’s account number.
8. I know everyone’s address.
9. I don’t understand how banking works.
10. I have to do whatever the person who gave my customer the cheque said.
11. I don’t know how to count.
12. I don’t know how to add.
13. I don’t know what the date is.
14. I can read everyone’s mind.
15. If I ask for your social, I'm trying to steal your identity.
16. I know when every new coin will be arriving.
17. I know how much everyones bills are for the month.
18. We are just here for fun on most holidays and weekends, we're not really open. We love when you rub it in.
19. When someone asks how you want your cash back, you are supposed to tell them after you get your money back.
20. Your time is more important than mine. I have no life. When you show up 5 minutes before we close to make 10 deposits or open a new account, we don't mind.
21. Everyone with the Bank name tag is related.
22. I am also your secretary.
23. We love to place holds on your cheques for fun. We are the only bank that does it.
24. 13 hours and 10 minutes is not enough time for people to do their business.
25. I am in charge of the never ending popcorn, smarties, and coffee.
26. It is polite to ignore someone when they say hello.
27. It is my fault when someone cuts you in line. I should have been paying attention to you and not your money.
28. I know what a checkingdepositwithdrawal for savings is.
29. Being rude should make me want to help you more.
30. I am not really human, I should not make mistakes.
31. It is okay to go into someones office when their door is shut.
32. The sign that says Next Window Please is just for decoration.
33. I make people wait on purpose. It's fun to make them mad.
34. I know everyones pin number to their ATM card.
35. Fraud isn't real. I should give customers exactly what they want.
36. The bank gives out free poinsettias at Christmas, we order them for you, not the bank. Display only means whatever you want it to mean.

37. Please and Thank You are forbidden words at the bank. We hate to hear them.

38. When I tell someone the same thing over and over, I'm just doing it for fun. I like to waste my breath.
39. We will break the rules for anybody as long as you gripe for more than 10 minutes.
40. I am a professional coin counter. Even when the machine is broken, I will count the coin for you by hand. It is my favorite thing to do!

41. I am psychic. When you call I can recognize your voice and pull up your information. My computer is voice activated. It's that fancy technology we have.
42. You don't have to tell me that you've been with the bank for 50 years… I can tell. (I've obviously been alive and working here that long!)
43. Even after 4 years, I am a new teller to anyone who has never seen me before. If  I've never met you, I have no idea what I'm doing.
44. I make the rules for the banking industry. You can blame everything on me!
45. I’m an idiot.

Thursday, August 25, 2011

#9. Be Featured in the Media

Thanks to my great family, I was reminded today that I have already accomplished # 9: Be Featured in the Media

On July 22, 2010, I was featured in The Record, for my involvement with the Young & Free Ontario competition. (Check out my blog post 193 - The Winning Number, for details on the results!)

Here is a link to the article: Young job applicants make their pitch online

One down, 24 more to go! (And if I make it into the media again, I'll be uber excited!)

My 25 Before 25 Bucket List

In approximately 439 days 10,548 hours, I will be turning 25. Yes, I can see how it might seem like it is a long ways away, but in actuality, I know it will be there before I know it.  


It made me start to think, what have I done with my life thus far? 


Yes, I know I have accomplished a lot, but I want to make sure I'm living my life purposefully, not be default.


That being said, I decided to come up with a 25 Things I Want to do Before I'm 25 list. It's basically a bucket list, but I didn't want to call it that as I don't plan on dying by the age of 25! 


But what better way to stay accountable and make sure I actually do it by tracking it with my blog?


So here is my list. As I complete them, I'll cross them off, and do my best to write a little blog about what happened each time.  If you think of something I should add to my list, (realistically speaking!) let me know :)


I realize that some may sound lame to you, and some may sound absolutely impossible, but for me there is usually a reason behind each one. 


I'll be honest, I'm actually freaking out as I write this, knowing that all of cyberspace will know my goals and whether or not I reach them. But better this than having them on some list that gets lost in my purse, and never knowing if I ever achieved what I was aiming for!


25 Things I Want to do Before I'm 25


1. Learn how to sew
2. Make a quilt - once I know how to sew :)
3. Get in shape
4. Train for (and hopefully complete) a triathlon - Thank you Susan Dunk for inspiring me! 
5. Visit Australia
6. Bungee jump somewhere exotic ie. Australia 
7. Travel to Ireland
8. Knit & finish a baby blanket - No, no, no ... not for myself. For a friend!
9. Be featured in the media - ie. magazine, newspaper, TV, etc.
10. Make my own pie crust
11. Make damask pillow covers
12. Get a "Big Person's" job ie. a full time PR/Communications job
13. Get rid of my debt
14. Get 1000 followers on Twitter
15. Train Hank to become a nursing home dog - or at least have him in the process of becoming one
16. Learn how to ride a motorcycle
17. NYC for New Years!
18. Surf - while in Australia
19. Have two+ of my press releases published
20. Learn how to make pesto
21. Create a fabulous, culinary meal with a crazy, fancy name
22. Reupholster our kitchen chairs
23. Go snowboarding at least five times this winter - and become really good at it
24. Go on a spontaneous, yet semi-planned, road trip
25. See a Cirque de Soleil performance


Well there you have it! A little daunting, but I think I can do it :)
Wish me luck!