lemmings

Ben and I just stopped by our friendly neighborhood bank, WaMu, where we opened a joint checking account, our third account there in the past month. While there, we overheard a total of at least $50,000 being withdrawn as people closed their accounts and prematurely cashed out CDs. The assistant manager (bitterly) joked about the giant pen she'd been using to sign checks all day. When one lady was asked why she was closing the account, she said, "Because I heard you guys might go bankrupt?"

Well, if we all panic like you and pull our money out then yeah, it'll definitely go bankrupt. Thanks for making it more likely, you broad-shouldered, '80s tank dress-wearing ninny.

Another woman, wearing torn shorts, a "Life is Good" t-shirt and slippers, first asked about how much she needed to open a checking account. Finally, I thought, someone who seems less with-it than us! Then, after carefully examining the brochure for free checking, she got to the teller, where we overheard her say, "I'd like to withdraw $10,000 from my account."

Whaaaa?

Then again, maybe I'm just jealous that these people had thousands of dollars to withdraw. In all honesty, if my checking account did vanish at this point, it would represent a setback of about two day's pay.

Time to have Ben melt out my fillings and hit the pawn shop!