Chinese Americans have to use their wits and courage to compete with whites to get things done.

A couple of days ago, I saw Prince Xiang Xiang's post. The title was: Thunderstruck! ToyRu says that if you want to buy things, you have to rely on your own efforts, only then will you be able to buy stuff." This really made me think deeply, and today I've even integrated this spirit into the process of handling affairs at the bank, with every intention of promoting it further! Now, let me tell everyone:

Because we are new immigrants, we can enjoy the benefit of free use of a small safe deposit box for a year. Before the New Year, my husband opened an account at a certain branch of Scotiabank. The opening branch is far from our home, but the manager said we could rent a safe deposit box at the branch closest to our home. So, I called the branch near Bridlewood Mall and was told there were none left, but they suggested I try calling again after the New Year.

This afternoon, my husband specially called the Bridlewood Mall branch to inquire if there were any available small safe deposit boxes, and was informed that there were "several". We were overjoyed and headed there immediately. Braving the wind and snow, slipping step by step, we finally reached the bank. After waiting in line for a long time, when it was finally our turn, we explained our purpose to the teller, who then told us that we had to rent the safe deposit box at the opening branch.

My husband was just pondering how to respond when the teller said that since we hadn't opened an account there, we could open one right now at this branch, which would allow us to rent the safe deposit box naturally. The teller hesitated for a moment, then excused herself saying she needed to ask the manager if there were any available small safe deposit boxes.

After waiting for 5 minutes, the teller returned, looking innocent and regretful, telling us that there were no safe deposit boxes available. Actually, I had noticed the envelope beside her keyboard containing the keys to the safe deposit boxes.

I asked her if she was joking, considering we had just confirmed this over the phone ten minutes ago. My husband immediately started arguing with her, pointing out that she had just said there were "several" available, so how could they all be gone in the blink of an eye? That white girl, hearing my husband's argument, blushed immediately (ah, whites really aren't good at lying). Her eyes darted around as she excused herself to reconfirm at the back office.

Pretending to type on the computer, she came back and suddenly told us that the opening branch hadn't put me in the Start Right Program, so I didn't have the option to use the safe deposit box. My husband refused to believe it and continued arguing, saying that all other discounts and benefits from the Start Right Program had already taken effect and been enjoyed, so how could just this one item be missing?

In the end, we finally managed to get the safe deposit box! The white girl realized we were well-prepared and couldn't be fooled, so she went to consult her manager again. It seems that because this wasn't the opening branch, they didn't want me to occupy their bank resources for free, hence coming up with all sorts of excuses to evade the issue.

Who says whites here are honest and don't lie? Sigh. It seems that without standing up for ourselves and reasoning firmly, it's hard to get things done in Canada. I suggest that everyone must rely on personal effort, persist, and reason firmly when going out to handle affairs!

---

This isn't a public service announcement: Smoking is extremely harmful to your health. I urge you to extinguish the cigarette in your hand and quit! If you insist on not listening and are located in North America...