Is it just me?

I would guess by this point in human evolution most people know how to use an ATM. Then why is it I continually run into situation like I did today?

As usual I was in rush (our societies cancer, ahh but a topic for a future “Is it just me”). And I needed cash (ok I’m old school and actually like to use cash). I drive up to the ATM and there’s 3 cars in front of me. I’m convinced it’s a conspiracy because there’s never anyone behind me when it’s my turn to use the machine.

In any case 3 people should not be a long wait? How long does it take to use an ATM? Person one, I’ll call her Agnes (hard to tell a lot about some one when all you see is a head sticking out of a car but this definitely looked like an Agnes). Agnes seemed to have trouble getting the card in. Now it’s not a square peg and a round hole for gods’ sakes! And of course Agnes had to count her money and read her receipt like it was the bible before pulling away. Now I ask you is there anything you can do at the machine if something is wrong? Do you yell at the machine or pound on it? Thank god we were done with Agnes.

Now Frank is next up and at least he can get the card in. But Frank has to read every word on the screen before making a commitment. Do the screens change that often? And obviously Frank has to check his balance before he can do anything. That would be understandable except my bank shows you your balance before you make a withdrawal.

Now it’s Svetlana’s turn. You would think in the 10 minutes we’ve been waiting she could have taken her card out of her wallet. It’s hard to tell when looking from one car to the car directly in front of you what’s going on, but by the head leaning over the passenger seat I can only picture a handbag the size of a small duffel bag that requires a search party. After a minute Svetlana finds her card then her reading glasses. You knew this was coming of course she has to make a deposit. Thank god it was only one check.

What seems like 15 minutes have passed and it’s now my turn. Card in, code in, press the button for most common transaction. Have my cash I’m done. Why is it always so hard for the people in front of me?

Should we have schools for this? Should we make it mandatory that people pass a test and have a license before they can use an ATM? I don’t know but what I do know is I’ll never get that 15 minutes back!