As a former retail bank employee, I must admit, it was quite an interesting experience.
I worked at a large, well-known bank and it was surrounded by potential customers all day long. Working in a retail bank was like entertaining old folks at home.
The customers, who were mostly elderly, walked in with their canes and walkers, ready to chat, ask questions and make deposits or withdraw money from their accounts.
Most of the time I felt like I was not just a bank teller, but also a friend who was ready to listen and provide advice. From the stories I heard, I felt like I was part of the family, even if it was only for a few minutes.
But sometimes it gets annoying when an old man starts telling his stories and holds up the line.
The elderly customers were often the same people who would come in week after week, some more frequently than others. I got to know them and their stories, their habits and preferences. I got to know their families, their jobs and the things they liked to do.
It felt like I was connecting with another generation, and it was really special.
Sometimes, some of the customers would come in with big problems that could not be solved by a bank teller. I had to call the customer’s family members or their lawyer, or even the police. It was a lot of responsibility, but it was also incredibly rewarding. I got to help people who were in need and that was truly gratifying.
Another challenge of the job was dealing with customers who were unhappy. As a retail bank employee, I had to stay professional and not take things personally. I had to remain calm, even in difficult situations, and find a solution that would make the customer happy. Of course, this was not always easy, but I learned a lot from it.
Overall, I had a great experience working in a retail bank. I was able to connect with people from all walks of life, listen to their stories, and even help them in times of need.