Check How You Behave With The Check

(I’m filling in at a rural location of our bank until they fill an opening. This location has a very small, tight-knit clientele, and most of them have been very nice to me. There are a few, however, who enjoy messing with the “new, big-city” banker. I’ve gotten several in a row on this day, and am feeling particularly sassy.)

Me: “Hi! What can I help you with today?”

Customer: “I just want to cash this check.” *hands me a check for several thousand dollars*

Me: “Sure! I’ll just need to see your ID.”

Customer: “Oh, you asked for ID. NEWBIE!”

Me: “Actually, I’ve been with [Bank] for a few years, now—”

Customer: “NEWBIE!”

Me: “I’m just helping out here until they can hire a new banker—”

Customer: “NEWBIE!”

Me: “And it’s actually bank policy to ask for ID on a check of this amount—”

Customer: “NEWBIE!”

(The customer continues to screech “NEWBIE!” at me every few seconds as I run his check through the system. I count his cash back to him.)

Me: *in my sweetest voice* “So, [Customer], if the next person in line tells me they’re you, and they want to take $1000 out of your account, I should let them?”

Customer: “Wait… What?”

Me: “Sure! I mean, they say they’re you, and I shouldn’t ask for ID… right?”

Customer: *pause* “Touché.”

(One of the other bankers snorts.)

Me: “Is there anything else we can help you with today?”

Customer: “Nah, I’m good. Enjoy your weekend.”

(The customer left. I heard a couple of the other bankers and tellers burst into laughter. If I’d said that to anyone at my normal location, I would’ve gotten into trouble… But no one there ever said anything against it. I still love that little branch so much!)