Interesting, um, conversation

Yesterday I was trying, for the umpteenth time, to get Tim's savings account transferred over to my web account so that I can transfer money as needed when he is overseas. Tim had tried -- apparently to no avail. I went to the bank last Saturday and thought we had it all straightened out -- apparently to no avail.

So yesterday I called. Never, ever, call the bank without having some mindless reading material at hand.

"If you want....press 1."

"If you want....press 2."

And so on until they run out of numbers. I'm waiting for the day when they get to "press 111" or "121". URGHHHHH!

But I digress. I actually had the direct (!!) phone number of my current personal banker, Jason. Of course, he was away, so I e-mailed him.

I love e-mail.

It doesn't require listening to menus and pressing buttons.

I've never figured out, for example, why when youare calling about -- oh -- your mortgage, for example, you have to "say or press the numbers of your account" only to have to "say or press" the same numbers again, and THEN, when you finally (if you live long enough) talk to a live person, tell them the numbers all over again.

I mean, what IS the point?

But I digress.

Jason actually called me. On the phone. A live person without pressing buttons.

It turned out that Jason needed to call someone in web accounts, and she in turn needed to talk to her supervisor. Several times. All of which would take "only 3 to 4 minutes -- can you hang on? I'm sorry for the inconvenience."

They must say that several thousand times a day. Of course, before we got to actual conversation, I had to prove who I was.

"Can you give me your checking account number?"

Well, that requires FINDING a check book. On this desk. HAHAHA!

Did that.

"Can you give me the last 8 digits of your debit card?"

Say what?

Oh -- my purse -- please wait while I find it.

Why don't they ask me my mother's maiden name? That I know without looking for my wallet which is -- well, who knows at this point?

Anyway, Jason bravely stayed ont he phone with me. So while Ms. WebWonder was off checking with her supervisor about various and sundry things, Jason and I chatted.

"I looked up what you do," he said. (I think that means he clicked on my website for LEC). "Wow, that's interesting. I think all women should breastfeed. It's the natural thing to do."

Hey -- Jason, you are incredibly right, but I wasn't expecting to discuss this with my personal banker -- but hey -- you want to talk about breastfeeding -- I'm good.

A bit more discussion ensues, and then Ms WebWonder is back for a couple of minutes, only to leave again and check something (what on earth??) with her supervisor.

Jason and I continue. "Um -- uh, wouldn't it be funny if men could breastfeed?"

Well, Jason, they can.

"Really? No way!! How?"

This is my personal BANKER.

A bit of technical discussion ensues -- stuff like prolactin and stimulation and so on....and "Why would men DO that?"

Jason, why don't you tell me about yourself?

"I'm a typical guy. Live with my girlfriend who wants to be a nurse. I've not grown up yet (oh great -- and HE is handling my money?). Like to go out with the guys -- watch sports -- drink beer.

"But I really believe in breastfeeding. I think that is the only way to go."

Jason, that's great. How 'bout Tim's savings account.

"Oh yeah -- all taken care of. It'll be on your webaccount as we speak."

Productive 40 minutes. Moving the savings account...male lactation...growing up before you have children...importance of breastfeeding.

Yup. Productive. That's what I'd call it.

Thanks, Jason!