"Banker's hours" is an old-fashioned idiom meaning someone who has short work hours. For example you could say: "When did you start working banker's hours?" Since banks in Korea are only open now between 9:00AM and 4:00PM, perhaps this idiom will be popular again.
You might say: "Andy, why do you need to go to the bank?"
"You can do everything online or through an atm."
True.
However, I usually go to the bank to exchange money. This cannot be done at an atm or online.
Currencies, like stocks, are always fluctuating. The Korean won reached a peak of around 900 won to 1 U.S. dollar a year and a half ago. Recently, it fell to as low as 1,600 won to 1 U.S. dollar. I like to take advantage of these currency swings. Why not? It's only a short trip to the bank.
Unfortunately, since banks are only open from 9AM-4PM, the only time I have is either lunch or Saturdays.
Bank tellers in Korea are all salaried employees. They work long hours after the bank is closed, sometimes until 9PM or so.
In the U.S., most bank tellers are part-timers: high school students, university students, house wives, etc. They get a wage of around $8-$10 per hour. When there's a rush of customers, a bank might have as many as 10 bank tellers working in the front. I know this because many of my friends in high school were bank tellers. They would work 2 hours a day after schoool from 4PM-6PM.
Because the banks are using a lot of part-time workers, the banking hours are much more convenient for customers.
Here are the open hours for my bank in California:
Sun 10:00 AM-3:00 PM
Yes. My bank is open 7 days a week and from 10AM-7PM Monday-Saturday.
Wouldn't you like it?
2 comments:
Hi, it's Lisa.
From time to time, I click your blog. Your "Banking Hours" is interesting. I wish, we would have a same condition. How is it going? You're so stingy of smiling.(*:*)
Even though you're not my teacher now, I'd like to ask something to you. However, I cccur to your cool... Anyway, I like you as my used(?)to be a teacher. Always take care of yourself.
However, I usually go to the bank to exchange money. This cannot be done at an atm or online.
As far as I know, most of Korean banks charge lower exchange fee for online than for off-line. Much lower. If you have cash, deposit it into account then exchange via internet banking.
Happy new year, Andy.
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