February 5, 2021
Dear Everyone:
It’s only been a couple of weeks since the
Inauguration, but I’ve already noticed something.
When a newsperson mentions the words, “…the President…” I no
longer automatically cringe.
What a relief!
In other news…
Last April, my bank closed due to Covid-19.
Actually, my bank is a Credit Union; and it closed because the
whole building was closed.
In fact, almost all of Company Park was closed, with the exception of
Building A, which housed Security; Building J, the receiving dock and
mail operations; and Building H, which contained the Information
Technology (IT) staff. They
were what held everything together as nearly everyone was “forced” to
Work from Home (WFH).
But the Credit Union’s ATM was still kept in
operation. That meant that I
could extract cash from my account whenever I needed it.
And I had already figured out how to use the “New and Improved!”
ATM.
Sometime earlier, they had installed a new ATM.
First, it didn’t take the ATM card the same way the old one had.
That one, you pushed the card in sideways, so the gold chip went
in first. The new one had
you push the card in from the top.
Having figured out that much, it was time to
enter the Personal Identification Number (PIN).
Then touch the various parts of the screen to indicate that you
wanted to withdraw cash from either the checking or savings account.
Then it got tricky.
Suddenly, the new ATM offered $100 bills.
In fact, a $100 bill was the default denomination if you wanted
to withdraw $100 or more.
You also had the choices of $20 and even $10 bills.
Only there was no way to tell the machine that you wanted $20 or
$10 bills.
The first time, I accepted the default of $100,
then took it inside the credit union branch to exchange it for $20’s.
Even the clerk told me he did not as yet know how to change the
denominations.
The next time I went to get cash, I allowed
myself enough time to try and get someone from inside to come out to the
machine and show me how to use it.
One of the clerks was more than willing; but he still didn’t know
how to do it either.
Fortunately, there was another customer at the
second machine who had just stumbled onto the key.
She had found that “tapping” the plus (+) or minus (-) next to
the denomination would shift the amounts allowed by the machine.
For example:
Say you wanted to withdraw $200 in $20 bills.
There might even be a “default” choice of “$200” to tap.
After that, just tap “OK” and you’re off to the races, so to
speak. But suppose you’d
rather get $300, or $400, mostly in twenties.
Using the built-in keypad, you tap in “400”,
then choose “OK”.
Now the machine displayed something like:
$10 X 0 + - = $0
$20 X 0 + - = $0
$100 x 4 + - = $400
By default, if you tapped “OK”, you would
receive four $100 bills. Of
course, a lot of stores might not accept a $100 bill.
To change it to three $100 bill and 5 $20 bills, you tap the
minus (-) on the screen at the $100 level.
That would change it to:
$10 X 0 + - = $0
$20 X 5 + - = $100
$100 x 3 + - = $300
To get all $20 bills, just keep tapping the
minus sign until it comes up with zero $100 and 20 twenties.
To get some $10 bills, tap the minus next to the $20 equation.
It’s pretty easy once you know the “secret
code”.
Ironically, since the Pandemic forced everyone
to stay at home I haven’t had occasion to spend that much cash.
Those establishments that were able to remain open for business
seemed to prefer that people use a credit or debit card rather than
cash.
But apparently, they found that preferable to
losing operators and customers to Covid.
In my case, I used my bank’s debit card, assuming that the salon
got the whole $25 for a haircut; then I added a generous tip since I
want them to be able to stay in business.
The same concept applies to my favorite Chinese
restaurant in Dublin. Once
they were allowed to open again, they only offered Take Out (or pickup
by one of the delivery services.)
In their case, there is no space outside where they could try to
accommodate diners who don’t mind braving the elements.
So, every couple of weeks I’ll order some Take
Out and drive down to Dublin and pick it up.
And I add a generous tip even though it’s Take Out.
For one thing, I want them to stay in business.
Sure, there are plenty of Chinese restaurants closer to where I
live, but I like the food at this place better.
It’s also my way of saying, “Thank you, God”
that I’ve never had to make my living waiting at tables.
Even without a Pandemic.
Love, as always,
Pete
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