As I conducted business at a teller’s window in the bank the other day, a fellow approached the teller beside me. “I want to withdraw my money,” he said with attitude.
“How much would you like?” the teller asked.
“All of it,” he said. I did my best not to pass judgement; after all, maybe he was having a tough morning and didn’t realize how abrupt he was coming across.
The teller I was dealing with was making small talk while she worked on my request when suddenly, the fellow at the next window announced loudly, “I also want a line of credit.” His teller explained that he would need to make an appointment with a financial advisor.
The fellow scoffed. “I’ve been a customer here for 10 years and you guys treat me like crap,” he said.
The poor teller explained that he couldn’t issue lines of credit; only financial officers could.
“Fine, I want to see someone this afternoon then,” the fellow demanded.
By now, the atmosphere in the bank was uncomfortable. I made eye contact with the teller helping me, and we simultaneously raised our eyebrows. She was doing her best to fulfill my request, but her train of thought was hampered by the rudeness of the guy at the next window. I told her it was OK, as I wasn't in a hurry.
Meanwhile, the teller dealing with the fellow at the next window attempted to keep his obnoxious client calm as he informed him there were no appointments available that day and suggested one for the next day.
“Fine, but then I want a guaranteed line of credit,” the client barked back.
The teller explained he couldn’t guarantee the client would get a line of credit, as that was up to the financial adviser. The client reluctantly agreed.
As the teller scheduled the appointment into the bank's calendar, the client turned to me and asked, “You work?”
I nodded my head.
“You hiring?”
I shook my head, no.
“Fine, I guess I’ll have to collect welfare like everyone else” he barked.
Eventually, the guy left. Never once did he thank the teller that helped him. Never once did he recognize he is probably his own worst enemy.
You see, folks, I may not personally be hiring anyone. But I know a lot of business owners. It's not uncommon for one of them to ask me if I know someone that can fulfill a position. This guy’s attitude ensured that I didn’t even ask for his name. Even if I knew who he was, he’d be the last person I would recommend for a job.
I thanked my teller as she finished my request and made it back to my vehicle in the parking lot. In my car, I reflected on what I had just witnessed. I chuckled as I imagined the guy showing up for his appointment the next day. He’s just cleaned out his bank account, he has no job and he’s expecting a guaranteed line of credit. He assumes that because he’s demanded it, it will happen. His attitude and the way he treats people also probably ensures that no one is going to go above and beyond to help him. I think he's about to get a lesson on how the world views entitlement. Sadly, he’s probably dictated his own fate, as the only line he’ll continue to see is the unemployment line – not because he isn’t able to work, but because nobody would want to work with him.
Never underestimate the value of how others see you. We all need to treat others with respect if we expect others to respect us.
