You know you live in a small town when…
You are sitting in your car at the bank drive-through window waiting on the lone teller (we’ll call him Ted) to finish your transaction. Around the corner of the bank comes the other teller heading out on her way to lunch. She waves to you as she walks by heading to her car. Suddenly, she doubles back and approaches your drivers side open window.
Teller: “Paula (yes, first name basis, of course) could you give this key to Ted when he returns with your transaction receipt?”
Me: “Ok.”
Teller: “It is the key to open the safe to get money out. I forgot to leave it when I left for lunch and he won’t be able to get any money for customers without it.”
Me: “Um, yeah, sure.”
Teller: “Thanks.”
Me: “No problem, have a good lunch.”
And no, I did not run to the nearest Walmart to make a copy, because well, the Walmart is like everything else when you live in the boonies, far away. Oh, and that would be a federal offense…and wrong…and very un-small-town-like.
Looking for the Sweet Spot 
That was very honest of you! Well done! LOL!
Ha, yes, they are lucky I did not go all postal and storm the bank with my calico cat!
And everyone would know that you did it. There are no secrets in small towns.
Ha! Ain’t that the truth!!
We lived in such a small town several years ago that people in the neighborhood knew what was going on in our lives before we did. Like where the company was moving us, etc. Neighborhood is kind of a stretch. We were in a holler.
Yes, I know how that is!
You have a bank and a walmart in your small town? We don’t even have stoplight! They pout in a 4-way stop about 15 years ago and there’s periodic traffic jams while everyone figures out who is going to go first!
Just a bank, no Walmart- we have to drive to the Walmart. No stoplights either, and boy do we know how to roll through a stop sign!
Nearest bank, wal-mart, any church not belonging to the major religion, clothing places…all 20 miles away. There’s a small grocery store, post office, bar, 2 gas stations (around the corner from each other, no less), and schools. Population: 678!
It’s true what was said above, too. It’s okay if you don’t know what you’re doing – everyone else does. (And if you’re a kid, your parents do too, now!) As a kid I hated that. As a parent, I can see the appeal!
Wow… All I can say is wow. And yet, nit surprising at all. I mean, if you had ripped off that bank, everyone would know, right?
Exactly! No secrets in a small town…none!
Absolutely hilarious! As a Los Angeles native, I can’t relate to this in the least but love knowing that kind of trust exists in small towns. Made me smile (and laugh at the same time). Cheers!
Thank you! I too grew up in Calif and lived in LA for many years so moments like this always take me by surprise- in a good way!
Oh. Wow.
But….you have a bank drive-through? Woah, you guys across the pond really get to do everything in your cars lol. Right now, the only other instance I can think of is the cinema, whatever the drive-through version of that is called again…
Great story!
Ha, yep, we Americans love to do everything in our cars. Did you know that in Las Vegas, they even have drive-thru wedding chapels? And here I had to go and have a traditional wedding.
That is so sweet and funny and small town. I know your small towns are even smaller than ours and I can’t believe that you have drive in at your bank. I don’t think they’ve even invented it over here yet. 😉
I did not know that was such an “American” thing! But, it comes in handy when you are in a hurry, or the weather is bad!
I guess, it’s just totally alien. Drive in McDonalds still has a touch of the exotic and we were surprised to see that the coffee shop at the motorway services now has drive through too. We park and walk, rain or shine. Mainly rain. 🙂
Love this anecdote. -Nikki
Thank you!!