A Short, Much-Needed Rant

Here's a question for you: What is a four-letter word for an institution that takes your money and then apparently exists for the sole purpose of being as inconvenient as possible for its customers? Answer: a bank. I am astounded at how much work banks put into making things harder than they need to be (particularly my current bank).

Today I had an obscene amount of things to accomplish. I needed to repack both suitcases (I am still really concerned about the weight issue), cash two checks, get travelers' checks, buy new shoes, clean, and finish copying all my favorite CDs to my MP3 player (with 23+ hours of travel, good music is essential to my sanity). When I pulled up to the bank, it said "open." Once I parked, I learned that only the ATMs were open, as the bank had decided to close for Presidents' Day.

Okay, what the heck is that all about?! Presidents' Day?! Schools are still in session, businesses are still open, and colleges have classes, so why does the bank feel they have the right to close? They already have hours that are completely inconvenient for most working individuals. They close early two days a week and all day on Sunday. They take off every major holiday. They let you get overdrawn without saying a word until you rack up sizeable fees (okay, so I didn't keep a very accurate balance a few years ago). They call at annoying times to offer services no one wants. And then they take off a pointless holiday that almost no one observes (except for stores that want a silly excuse for a sale).

It also annoys me that my bank always claims to be open, enticing me to risk my neck getting into their parking lot while discourteous (and dangerous) drivers try to hit my car, only for me to find out that, once again, only the ATMs are open. The least they could do is admit to being closed.

Sorry to rant on such a minute subject, but I'm stressed, and the bank just put me over the edge today.