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Teller-less

Some time near the beginning of the COVID outbreak, the bank branch where I conducted most of my financial transactions was remodeled. It was a shock to me that the renovations resulted in a permanent closure of the drive-through lanes and that customers now had only two options:  to use a drive-up ATM or to go inside to retrieve money from their accounts by talking with a bank employee on a video screen.

The memory came immediately of my summer breaks during college when I worked full-time as a teller at a bank. I had applied for the position after my freshman-year dorm mate’s sorority sister told me about the job. It happened that she also lived in my hometown and had a connection at the bank.

I did get the job, but while I expected to learn the technical and financial aspects of being a bank teller, I did not realize that I would also be learning much more. Slowly and steadily, I became confident with transactions and being sure to cash checks, make deposits, check balances, complete transfers between accounts correctly, and “prove” my drawer at the end of the day. I learned how to interact with customers, each with their own needs, questions, and personalities; and how to respond when I asked for the driver’s license of a long-time customer and was met with the reply of “I’ve had an account here for XXXX number of years, and I’ve never had to show my license before!”

I worked at three of the bank’s branches, sometimes with the inside customers but mostly with those in the drive-through lanes. I enjoyed both, but I think more challenges and surprises happened inside.

One day, I knew something was going on when I saw that one of the inside tellers had walked away from her station. Our standard procedure was to confirm that signatures on checks were legitimate. The teller was away longer than normal, as she had discovered that her customer had given her a check with a forged signature. The customer, probably realizing that he was not going to get any money, left the lobby in a hurry. The security guard on duty observed what had happened and left to apprehend the customer, and I believe he did. I left that day thankful that nothing worse had happened… .and that I hadn’t been working the inside counter!

Of the three branch locations, my favorite was the third and last one to which I was assigned. I had more in common with the other tellers (one with whom I have remained in contact, 30 years later), and the branch manager was optimistic and friendly, which impacted employees and customers alike.

While working the “tubes” (the canisters that travel between the tellers and customers in vehicles) of the drive-through lanes at this branch, I began to recognize many of the customers and learned when they would typically arrive. I started to notice a particular gentleman who came on a regular basis. Our conversation was rather limited, of course, but he seemed to want to say more than other customers. He would typically send in a check to be cashed or deposited, but, one day after a month or so of the usual transactions, imagine my surprise when I opened the tube he had sent in and found a rose!

That story ends there, but my reason for sharing these experiences is to grieve the disappearance of bank tellers and interactions with people and the resulting effect:

The less interaction we have with other humans, the fewer stories we will have to tell our family, friends, and the world.

As writers, let’s work harder to share our experiences, positive or negative, to avert the arrival of a story-teller-less world.

J.M. Pridotkas
J.M. Pridotkas
J. M. Pridotkas is semi-retired from a career in engineering and teaches French and Chess to homeschool students. She is a lifelong Catholic and helped form a writers group at her church. She has published an article based on her Master's thesis and an article on COVID and prayer; After This Our Exile. She presented an abstract at the 7th Annual Symposium for Advancing the New Evangelization at Benedictine College, “Humanae Vitae 50 Years Later: A Call to Self-Gift.” and is currently working on a variety of writing projects. When faced with doubts about her endeavors, she is encouraged by a quote from Fr. Richard Neuhaus: “If you want to write, then write” (ref. “Write Away”, Randy Boyagoda).

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6 CONVERSATIONS

  1. Great article Jeanne, especially love the title.. I too agree that as years of progress and technology progress, the less we seem to encounter human beings. Sad…but despite this, we should hold on to the great friendships God has given us to make up for the loss. I loved the story as I never thought of working in a bank, probably the only job out there I did not work at. I never learned the concept of money management as a kid growing up, but quickly learned through different aspects of my life and experiences, especially through a divorce. Now I am solid, and I think if I were younger I would apply…Well done!

    • Lynn, great advice! We’re in each other’s lives for a reason and to lift each other up in the process!

  2. Shelter, water and food are the requirements for any survivalist especially for lost hikers. Working as an impromptu search and rescue deputy sheriff on the west side of the Cascades presented me with the rewarding experience of finding folks who were stranded in the forests. Fortunately, the missions never resulted in a recovery, simply a welcomed rescue.

    These lost and unprepared naturalists always shared the same comment when contacted: “It was so good to hear your voice and see your face. I knew that I was no longer alone!”.

    Human companionship is a definite need no matter what the challenge or circumstance. A great observational post from former teller Jean who can “tell” the difference..

    PS: By the way Jean, you were very special, I never received a rose.

    • Thank you for your comments, Danny. Yes, we were never meant to life here on Earth as lone survivalists.

      P. S. You’re very kind… But “a rose by any other name would smell as sweet” (ref. Shakespeare).

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