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John MacLauren

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Review of the Barclays, Current account:

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How To Chat To Electrons.

My local branch recently became the bridge of the Starship Enterprise; an almost entirely automated alienation. The first thing I noticed upon entry was the silence. Whereas before the polite conversation among strangers and staff intruded into my wait now there is a strange side-effect of instead meeting electronic calculus -- people queuing for it don't speak. Possibly because the machine that has replaced a person doesn't, I don't know. The consequence is a much greater impression of existence as a functionary. Twice in the past three months, my account has been a few pounds overdrawn; formerly this would have elicited a semi-bespoke letter outlining resulting charges, possibly with a suggestion that I discuss this with the bank. Now no such thing occurs. A letter arrives detailing the incurred deduction intended next month (paper correspondence still surviving at the moment) but basically electrons don't do conversation. There's nothing to be discussed because like everybody else I'm an integer. You can still find one staff member to talk to when you go into the bank if you wait, but even there a change in tone intrudes. Also, all the middle-aged staff have vanished, at least from up front. Perhaps explaining it. Reviewed on: 17th December 2016

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