Today I went to a Bank of Taiwan branch to exchange my collection of Sun Yat-sens for some of the world’s only monochrome banknotes.
After the traditional paper-pushing and chop-stamping ceremony on the 2nd floor, I proceeded to the cashier on the ground floor. To much surprise, instead of the expected 3 TWD I got 30,003 TWD in change.
- It’s not my money - I said.
- It’s OK - said the cashier, pointing at my receipt with a well-practiced “dumb foreigner doesn’t understand” look on his face.
- I will go back to the 2nd floor and confirm - I insisted.
The cashier picked up the phone and called someone on the 2nd floor: - There is a foreigner here and he says it’s not his money.
- It’s his money - said the voice over the phone.
- It’s your money - said the cashier.
- But…
- It’s correct. Take it! - he sternly ended the conversation.
What could I do. I walked out of the bank, and continued for a few hundred meters along the street until I stopped at an intersection. Waiting for the lights to change, I looked back. Somewhere in the distance I saw a person running towards me. “Funny” - I thought - “this guy really looks like the cashier I had just met.”
As the person got closer, I realized the cashier it was indeed:
- You were right! - he panted, catching his breath.
I was right.