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