Chinese Banks

I hate the bank here. It's like going to the DMV, doing crown work at the dentist, and dealing with a shitty American bank all rolled into one. When you walk in, you have to take a number, as there are probably a good half dozen people there waiting ahead of you.

Implication: You're not going anywhere for at least 15-20 minutes.

You can see how despite opening their communist economy, the Chinese still love them some red tape. To fill our forms and throw down a stamp each and every form seems to be what makes a bank teller's heart content. I lost my bank card, which is a worrying scenario to be in, but its not the end of the world. That is, I wouldn't have to panic if I was in America. In China, you basically have to get a new bank account. Many forms. You also have to specify that if you want the money from the current account in the new one (which is something that doesn't seems to naturally make sense to my bank here). More forms.

Here's the best part, most of these transactions take a WEEK to complete. In America, this wouldn't be an issue. If one loses their card, they can still access their money using their ID. In China, you need a card to access your money. And since you're waiting a week to get it, you can't touch YOUR money for a week. When you ask them what the point of even putting your money in a bank, they look at you like you're crazy.

The whole experience makes your brain hurt, hurts your pride, and leaves people with very little fucking money for the next week.