Banking - the art of Bureaucracy

You may remember the last time I went inside a bank - there's a very good reason to only use the ATMs in this country! Well, I had a cheque to deposit so I HAD to go inside. I decided I would also withdraw money over the counter as I needed a fairly large amount and figured I could kill two birds with one stone - what was I thinking?

I get there shortly after it had opened so there were no queues. I think it gave me false hope. I ask the lady behind the desk if I can deposit the cheque (it's been waiting for over a week because the first time I tried they asked me where Mr Stephen was - it was made out to him - and I said at work and they said, he needs to sign the back - twice!! Even though it's a joint account). So, he had signed it and I'm back. First she says - "deposit over there". Waving in the vague direction of 3 desks with no-one sitting at them. So I ask for the withdrawal. She disappears off and is taking a very long time. I know something's going on. She comes back with 2 cards and says I have to re-sign them. "Why?" I ask innocently. "You haven't re-signed since 2001", "So?" "You need to re-sign every two years" (Steve says this is only for corporate accounts). So I sign four times and she asks where Mr Stephen is. "At work". "He needs to come in and re-sign too. And bring ID for both of you"! Then she gives me this application for an account form to sign. "Why am I doing this?" "Because you need to re-sign" "But I'm not changing anything". Smile, grit teeth, fill in. Eventually she gives me the money. But in the process of filling in this redundant form she realises we are connected to Faith. "Oh, you work at Faith?" "My husband is Elementary Principal" (I have found it's useful to throw titles around here!) "Oh". Suddenly that changes everything. I do not have to take the deposit to another desk, it can be done by her and instead of the 22 days clearance she has just informed me of, it can be deposited as cash. Useful to know for next time.