We had to visit our bank branch today which is always a good time. I was trying to do some things online and I wasn't allowed to access some of the functions on the website. We realized it was because we hadn't ever given them our HKID numbers. They only had our passport numbers so we didn't appear to be residents of Hong Kong. We had to visit the branch in person to update this.

I have said before that Hong Kong has this technologically advanced reputation but in reality we feel like it's way behind the USA. Our experience today proved this theory true once again.

To be fair, keep in mind that we bank with USAA in The States. There is no branch. Everything is online. You sign everything electronically. I can deposit checks by using an app on my iPhone that takes a photo of the check. It's amazing. So anything will seem archaic compared with what we are used to I guess.

B explained to the girl that we needed to get our HKID numbers into their system and she got to work changing this for us. I felt like I was at an airline ticket counter. She kept typing and typing and typing. The printer started to whir and out printed a 3 page report. She handed it to B and told him to sign in one place on the very last page. He signed. She then stamped every page with two different stamps. Initialed it in a few spots. Got it all official. Then she had to do it all over again to add my information. Seriously? Six printed pages to add this simple personal info to our account? All triple stamped and everything? Where (and why) on earth do they keep all this stuff filed?

We couldn't help but kind of giggle. Well, I was giggling. I think B truly was annoyed. But I had noticed her name. Winnie Poon. And it struck me as funny so I was able to find more amusement in the whole situation. Winnie Pooh. Winnie the Poon. Who picked that English name for her? The only cuter name I can possibly think of would be a spin on Hello Kitty.

When we first signed up for our bank accounts we were told that we had to have the accounts for 3 months before we could apply for a credit card with them. It would be nice to have a local card and it's been long enough so we asked Winnie how we could apply for one. She clickity clicked for a minute and

she said "Hmmmm you no have salary?"
B (was looking at her blankly like "what?")
Winnie "No salary deposit direct to your account?"
B "Oh. Not to this bank, no. My salary goes to a US bank."
Winnie "Ahhh I see. You have to proof salary. You no can have credit card with no proof for salary." And she chuckled at having to state such an obvious fact.
B "Ok. How do I prove salary? How do I apply?"
Winnie "You can print the application from the website and then fill it out. Bring it to the branch with your HKID, your passport, salary statement for 3 months time and any statement from other bank for 3 months time."
B (clearly is not amused but remains silent)
Winnie "All this will proof you can have credit card."

On the other hand, maybe we don't need a local credit card.