"Right kids, we've got to go to our appointment at the bank now". You can imagine the moans and groans about the prospect of this for three jet-lagged kids, especially as their banking experience extended to a tedious hour with the five of us squashed around a desk behind a screen in an HSBC branch in the UK when we attempted to set up an international bank account. HSBC were a complete farce, every time Rob phoned they told him something different and didn't send letters and forms they should have. Two months after our appointment with HSBC they still hadn't manged to set up a bank account for us in the US. Without a bank account Rob couldn't cash his pay cheques, or pay for things easily. Rob ended up buying expensive goods like the washing machine and tumble dryer with cash, and it's delaying the delivery of his car by weeks.
Rob decided to set up a US bank account with Wells Fargo as there are branches near his office and in Southlake. We bundled the complaining kids into the car then cruised up to the bank, where you can park right outside the door. As we entered we were greeted by a staff member waiting at the door who took our details and offered the kids a snack. After delighted nods and 'yes pleases', we are led over to a seating area in the foyer which had a fridge full of bottled water, tea & coffee urns, a pop-corn machine and an array of cookies and pretzels. In the meantime, Jack, our personal account manager, has come out to meet us. Once the kids had filled up bags of popcorn and chosen cookies, we were led into his office. Everyone was brought a chair and we did the necessary business, which took a while, they really love paperwork here. Throughout the process Jack chatted away, told us where to find better channels on the TV and gave the kids each a toy ball. We walked out with a temporary cheque (or I should say "check") book, whilst debit cards and proper cheque books will be with us in a few days. Job done.
We had to go back and pay in a cheque today. "Yeah! Can we get some popcorn? Please? Please?"
The Fishers, Welsh style!
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