Alright, partially this is my fault, apparently I am not capable of writing down a correct routing number for my bank. So instead of getting a direct deposit, I get a check mailed to me. Which is a problem. You might ask "why?" The answer is simple - my bank doesn't have a single branch here in Alabama - I think the closest one is in Georgia, over 80 miles away.
What is a girl to do? Open a new bank account of course. So I look around Birmingham, and try to select between Compass, Regions, Wachovia and a few other local banks. Comparing their geographical location, I decide to go with Regions - plus they give you a pretty free green canvas bag when you join (I can use it for groceries instead of plastic bags - why is it that the grocery stores insist on packing almost every single item in its own plastic bag?).
So anyway, I take a break from work (since I usually pretty much work through lunch - aka work lunch) and drive to a Regions bank. I walk into the first cubicle and tell the lady that I want to open an account. She asks to see my driver's license, and I tell her that I don't have an AL driver's license because I am here only for 6 months.
What happens next? My accent PLUS "6 months" apparently translates to "you are from a foreign country, and are only in the United States for 6 months, therefore you do not get to open a bank account." Apparently there aren't that many people in Alabama with foreign accents - there are plenty with Southern accents.
After sometime of explaining that I in fact do not have a student/work visa because I am a U.S. citizen, and that my NY license should be valid, I got an account open. Seriously? I should carry my certificate of citizenship with me from now on.
3 comments:
LOL! I am cracking up over this story! I think that should we ever be in the same city again I am going to insist that you show me your citizenship papers. I need to be sure who I'm associating with :)
Don't you know that all people with accents are foreign terrorists? You think we're just going to let you open a bank account, so that you can siphon all our American dollars to your bomb-producing friends in the Middle East (or wherever the heck you're from)?? :)
Please tell me she said "You ain't from around here, are you?"
Post a Comment