Thank Yoh Rochelle Williams

Last Fry-dey ah had ah thrilling or chilling moment at FCIB now renamed Bank of St Vincent & the Grenadines (BOSVG). Ah still remember when Barclays Bank, ah Far-reign Co-loan-yuh-all Bank of course, and fore-runner of Commercial Banks in SVG, meking all its b’millons, and when dey were ready to go, dey merge ah marriage wid CIBC and gave pre-macho birth to FCIB. It continued as ah far-reign concern. Yes ah ‘member quite well too, when Barclay wid ah all white staff except foh de Messenger, sorry, de Office Attendant, ah country-buoy name Boyea was de only Black worker. Ah proud Negro though, more smartly dressed dan de English Manager.

Den came Royal Bank of Canada, followed by Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC). Ah think Scotia was next. Den last but not least, in 1977, we welcomed de Nah-shun-all
Commercial Bank (NCB) now (BOSVG). Lie-Za say dat SVG got more Commercial Banks dan factories, and doh talk bout de Tek-no-allergy, Cash Machines wid Debit/Credit Card. Lie-Za calls dem de Self Help Cash Register. Dey greet yuh in writing or voice communicate well, asking questions- whether yuh need ah receipt, even when yuh get stumped’n teking long, quite politely de will offer extra help, and when yuh need more time to complete yuh trans-act-shun.

Yuh can’t beat dem foh courtesy and promptness, when yuh see 1:00 p.m. on de dot, dem machines gone lunch too.

Which brings me to my shortened visit to FCIB/BOSVG last Friday. Both lines were loorng, so ah blank de machine outside which is faster, but went inside foh some AC and ah seat. Ah believe ah was looking like ah poor me one, standing wid ah walking-stick to support my damaged knee. To my right was ah very young inexperienced looking teller who was probably being coached by her Supervisor. Suddenly someone in the line nudged me and said de Supervisor is trying to draw my attention. Quite humble as always, ah jumped de line and
answered de lady’s call. De supervisor, Ah pretty lady, wid ah pleasant smile said to me: “ I noticed that you are in some discomfort standing on your injured leg. is there any way I can assist you?”

Cut ah long story short, ah told her what my problem was, and straight away, Ms Rochelle Williams, my new fair-foh-it Supervisor instructed de junior Cashier how and what to do. Of course yuh done know how it is wid oldah men, no matter who in de line waiting, we have to talk long!! but manners and behave-yah dictated dat ah thanked dem and we exchanged names.

When ah told her doh mind de name on de Account, call me Bassy. She buss me bubble wid ah soft chuckle and said: “Mr Alexander who does not know you are Bassy!”

However in parting ah promised dat ah was going to recommend either ah promotion or ah triple increment foh her, or both.

She said “ thanks, have company!” As ah turned towards de exit area, three other customers supported wid walking sticks got de message, and formed dey own line behind me waiting.

Outside ah stood in my shoes and ah wondered and wandered how Business Enterprises, Go-venom-mint included does treat customers like dirt, insignificant , nothing. Central Water and Sewerage Authority is de only business place ah could recall visiting to pay ah Bill where deys ah simple water fountain way customers could get ah glass ah water. Ah can’t recall going to ah Bank or wayever sat in an executive’s office, spend valuable time seeking ah loan big or small,
and any officer ever suggested while ah waiting if s/he could get you a hot or cold drink?” Drive thru town and check de number of valued customers in long lines, standing in rain or sun outside business places, rushing to get inside to invest de two pennies. Thank you Rochelle Williams as ah young Supervisor, you have given me hopes dat all is not lost…or Loss.

And wid dat is gone ah gone again.

One Love Bassy

• Bassy Alexander is a land surveyor, folklorist and social commentator.