Take it to the bank

July 2014, Bangalore
I decided it is high time to create a bank account for myself. After all, I am a Bachelor of Engineering degree holder now, aged more than 18 years. A bank account was not a necessity so far, as I was staying with my parents and could ask them for money anytime. I set out driving to the nearest branch and asked what were the steps to open a brand new account at the branch. I was politely told to go to another branch as this branch did not have the capacity to handle any more accounts. The lady was kind enough to give me the address of the other branch. I was confident I could find the place easily. I managed to reach the right location after some driving around and asking people for directions. I approached the manager, and received a glum response. I needed to have a Permanent Account Number (PAN) in order to create a bank account. So much for all the driving, I thought! The first thing I did after reaching back home that day was to go through the procedure to get a PAN card. I applied successfully and received the PAN card in a week's time.
By this time I was offered a small job, which I had decided to take up. The company would create a new bank account for me. I was relieved.

September 2014, Bangalore
It was time for my first salary. Our company is run by a Sir and ma'am. I went with ma'am one fine day to the bank near the company office. The purpose was the same, to create a bank account. I had filled the application form online. Unfortunately, at the bank, we were not able to take a printout, owing to some network problem. I again filled a paper application form. We were directed to get a signature from a senior officer at the bank. He seemed to be in his worst state of mind that day, and blatantly refused to sign as my address did not belong to the premises under this branch. Now we were at crossroads. We spoke to the manager, who seemed very obliging, and asked ma'am to get a letter stating that the account needs to be created at this branch as it is a salary account. We went back to the office, got the letter printed and also the application form I had filled earlier. It was smooth sailing after that. At the end of the day, I had a pass book bearing my name.

30 December 2014, Los Angeles
I went to create my first bank account in the USA today. As soon as I entered, a person near the entrance asked me how he could be of assistance. I told him what I needed and another older person opened the application form on his iPad and asked me to fill it. He was kind enough to help me fill in the accurate details. I was through the form and a lady at the counter helped me click photographs of my passport and upload them. Not for an instant did she appear weary of assisting me till we got a perfect picture. I waited for a few minutes after that and the person who gave me the iPad called me into his office. Within 10 minutes, I was outside the bank with my account number and debit card.

Long story short, the whole procedure seemed a lot easier and hassle-free here. Is it really so? I think it is just that everything is very systematic here and all citizens try to abide by the system. It is tempting to look for a trap door to get around, but what results from resisting that temptation is worth the effort. Maybe we forget that courtesy begets courtesy. Maybe it is upto people like me to go back and try to bring about a change in the small things, instead of complaining how good it is in the USA.