This is retelling of my most recent experience with the french banks:
Here in France there are many things that are completely different from that in the US. I have come to realize that. And I even accept it. It doesn't mean I understand it or agree with it, but I do accept it.
The banking system is one of them.
In France, when you open a bank account, they tell you how much you can go into the "negative" according to how much money you make. This is quite common I've found here. And seeing as how I make very small amounts and as I had been unemployed for several months, I, unfortunately had gone into the "negative". Then I decided to go on the US and for 2 weeks, not allowing me the opportunity to put money into my bank account to get me back to zero. So when I got back to Paris I put some money into my account bringing me back way above zero and into a more comfortable area. I had checked my phone messages as well when I got back and I had received a call from my bank asking me to put money in. I didn't think anything of it all. I did everything I needed to and thought it was all fine and good.
NOT.at.all.
So, here I am, having just put ALL my money into my bank account, with none left in my wallet, and my bank card doesn't work. denied. denied. denied.
What?!
So lazy me waits thinking that the bank will adjust itself on their own (like an American bank most likely would) and maybe it just takes them time once the money has been posted to the account. That's just wishful thinking, something I should refrain from here in this country.
Friday rolled around and STILL it was not working. Come on, guys! I just gave you all my money and now you won't give it back to me?! So, I called. Now, that was a big feat itself because its hard trying to explain yourself in a different language over the phone AND try to understand when people have the tendency to speak really fast! I called, they answered (yay, 1 point for the French) and this nice man was very helpful. He took my information, opened up my account on his screen and explained to me he had no idea why my card was not working and that he would have someone call me back soon. (2 points for the French on the basis of being nice AND helpful given that my French was clearly not being spoken from a French person). A few hours later I received a phone call from a lady working at the bank telling me that my card should work now and I shouldn't have any problems. (3 points for the French on the basis of actually returning a phone call! and being nice) I took her at her word and assumed it was all figured out. I left that phone call feeling super cool and proud of myself.
My faith in the banking system and the people figuring it all out was a bit premature when Saturday morning I was up and at 'em early and had a bunch of stuff on my to-do list and I was a-spending some money. Before I hit the metro for my long day of being busy I decided to test the ATM just to make sure it was working. Whelp, as you can assume, seeing as how there'd be no interesting story to tell if it did all work out, my card STILL didn't work. Welcome to weekends in France, if something doesn't work on a weekend, you'd better be patient until Monday because trying to find someone who is working much less willing to do their work on a week end for less than your entire retirement savings is near impossible. This may seem a bit harsh and no, it doesn't speak for all French people, but for a large majority, it does. Thankfully, the branch that was connected to the ATM I was using was open on Saturdays so I walk in to start explaining my situation and hoping they can solve this rather annoying problem (I mean, a week already!!! I would like my money) that I was told was fixed. Ha. I guess I was still on a high from bring proud of myself for taking charge and attempting to get things done and feeling as if I'd succeeded that I gave these people the benefit of the doubt. In their defense, they were SUPER helpful and nice. BUT, the reality is... there were 4 bankers in front of one computer screen looking at my account dumbfounded. Now please explain to me how much faith you would have in your banking system if they could not, for the life of them, figure out why your account was blocked and how to undo it?! Yea, I'm with ya, very little faith... After about 30 minutes of these guys searching and trying and thinking and pressing buttons and trying again they told me that there is, in fact, no reason why my bank card should be blocked and they, unfortunately, don't know how to make it work. sweet! and my money, guys?!
Side note: here in France, as opposed to the US, when you open an account, you are opening an account with that specific branch. Not that specific bank. So if you have any problems you must always call your original branch and your original banker. For some odd (stupid) reason, the banks, even though they are the same name, are not linked together. So the branch that I happened to be in on Saturday morning did not have FULL access to my bank account.
So the guys tell me that, again, unfortunately I must wait until Monday when my branch opens (because the branch where I opened my account is not open on weekends, to my advantage!) and go talk to them about it. He did, however, give me an option of writing them a check in exchange for money since my bank card would not release any via the ATM. They were very helpful, very kind, very patient, but ...how do I put this lightly... a little stupid?!
I have learned patience in this country. Well, its an ongoing lesson, but one I am becoming accustomed to experiencing so I leave, frustrated, but still in a good mood.
Unfortunately for you people, I am leaving you all on the edge of your seats as this story has no ending... it's now Monday morning and I decided I would not rush to the bank bright and early this morning but get there when it was convenient to me, seeing as how I'm probably going to have to fight someone today, so there is no solution yet found for this oh so interesting story.
Maybe I am just more American than I realized, or maybe I've just lived in a country that tends to run a little more smoothly than the one I am choosing to live in, but answer me this: how much trust do you have in your banking system, when there are FOUR bankers sitting at a computer, dumbfounded about why your bank card is blocked and have no clue how to unblock it, thus your money being stuck in their hands.
I have very little.
So thats my developing story of just one more "interesting" experience to add to my already stacked high pile since moving here.
I wondering if there is ever a dull moment in this city. But I have yet to find one.
Happy Monday, all!!!
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