Get real

Get real

Upon attempting to deposit American bank notes into my dollar
account at Bank Internasional Indonesia (BII), the teller sorted
through the notes, all of which were crisp and looked brand new
to me.

She then told me that the bank would only accept about half of
the $100 bills. None of them had any noticeable marks on them.
Upon closer inspection, I noticed that three of them had a
fraction of a corner folded, making a two-millimeter flap. The
others had no obvious marks or creases on them. When I asked if
the refused notes were counterfeit, I was assured that they were
the real thing.

After more questions, I learned that it is a BII policy not to
accept notes that even look like they might have a scratch on
them.

So for any would-be tourists who have not been put off by the
stirrings of unrest here, be sure not to bring your hard earned
cash with you. Our banks won't accept it, unless it is freshly
minted and carried over here without being folded into a wallet
and can pass close inspection for invisible faults.

Many banks are refusing U.S. notes which they acknowledge are
not fake. Isn't it time our banks started operating in a more
practical manner?

J SJAHLIN

Jakarta