If I could give more than five stars, I absolutely would. I don't write reviews typically, I am far…read moretoo lazy - but this deserves a review because I want the bank teller who I spoke with to hopefully receive credit and commendation for what she did for me today - she deserves it. So please, while I know I am very wordy - please read this review because this bank teller deserves the recognition and it may very well restore some faith in people and lift your spirits in what are, let's face it - pretty crappy times right now.
I don't know her name, but she was blonde, wearing glasses, working on September 11th 2021, around 10:15ish? so probably opened or whatever- point is: I want whoever manages this bank to at least have a guess at knowing who she is and commend her for going above and beyond and being her job - but being a GOOD person, and above all else in these times, kind and caring when she did not have to be. (Along with the woman she was helping before me - thank you as well for chiming in! Solidarity I appreciate it.)
I came in to cash a money order, and had to wait in line. I like to dress up fancy (and I was also going to go get my new state ID so you know- didn't wanna look a total goof.) but again, I just like to dress up for myself. (Don't come @ me with the "you deserved this." bs either for what I am about to say: no woman deserves it even if it ended up being a benign conversation. Women AND men deserve to wear what they want and look nice without being harassed or forced into conversation.) I was wearing a black knee length dress along with a pair of black platform boots when a man came in behind me and looked me up and down and over and asked "Are you wearing boots?" Knowing I should have been wearing my headphones to have hopefully ignored this interaction I grimaced and just smiled and nodded and went yes - to which he replied "Oh it's too early for boots!" to which the woman being helped before turned around to help me out and went "It's never too early for boots." Again I just smiled and nodded and said yes. The man continued on, going on about how "When I see boots I think of December 21st and winter and snow!" (Because yes, a pair of black platform boots would be useful and remind someone to prep for a Midwestern winter with snow and ice. I personally am that Type Of Over The Top Girl Who Would, but I have doubts this random man saw my pair of Ariana Grande black platform heeled boots and thought "ah yes, perfect for winter.")
Thankfully again, the woman in front of me being taken care of by the teller I would end up speaking too helped out by noticing my discomfort and talked to him about his winter wonderland wishes, and then thankfully it was my turn. Standard transaction: I had a chase m.o I needed cashed, I am not a Chase Customer, "it's an $8 fee, oh wait no nevermind it got taken off!"
She does her computer stuff but then I notice her grab what I now know is a chase deposit form, and at the time I just assumed it was some sort of receipt for the cashing of my money order. No biggie, didn't think anything of it. She asks me how I'd like my cash, I say doesn't matter, 20's are fine.
She gets my cash and before handing it over, slips me over the turned over deposit note with a note on it without saying a single word but making eye contact with me - "Did he say anything mean to you?" written down.
To be honest, I've been harassed, catcalled, cornered, touched, all sorts of things as a woman, especially a woman who likes to dress up. Sometimes you wanna feel and look nice. Doesn't warrant people feeling the need to corner you and force you into conversation. I suffer from diagnosed severe anxiety disorder - I don't do well with people cornering me into conversation, but that doesn't mean I don't deserve to dress up and feel good about myself. But I have NEVER had anyone show the concern this woman showed me today by slipping me that note, waiting for me to affirm that no, I was okay by shaking my head (and despite my mask, covid ugh.) doing my best to convey a smile with my eyes and quietly saying "No - but thank you." She nodded, asked if I wanted an envelope for my money, handed me my envelope of cash and that was it. But from the bottom of my heart - THANK YOU. Thank you for caring. Thank you for looking out for your customer. You did not have to do that, you did not have to write that note and affirm that I WAS safe and that I WOULD be safe upon leaving the bank. That is not just customer service, that is human kindness and caring at its best which we could use more of in these trying times. Please, whoever runs this branch - please find out who that bank teller was, and please reward her, commend her, make sure she knows what she did honestly made my day, as small of a moment as it was. Yeah, it was a bank transaction - but she turned it into a moment of human kindness. I will never forget your act of humanity.
