Comments on: Town bans hoods, hats, shades in banks http://boingboing.net/2009/05/18/town-bans-hoods-hats.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Tue, 18 Jun 2013 05:16:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: doobie42 http://boingboing.net/2009/05/18/town-bans-hoods-hats.html#comment-495875 doobie42 Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-495875 I never go to the bank unless I'm carrying a gun (usually openly carried), doubly so if I'm doing a withdrawal of more than $100. Heck two times ago the clerk asked me how I liked my pistol and asked if I had used a different one for a comparison because she was thinking of getting a new pistol. I never go to the bank unless I’m carrying a gun (usually openly carried), doubly so if I’m doing a withdrawal of more than $100. Heck two times ago the clerk asked me how I liked my pistol and asked if I had used a different one for a comparison because she was thinking of getting a new pistol.

]]> By: Summer http://boingboing.net/2009/05/18/town-bans-hoods-hats.html#comment-495110 Summer Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-495110 So what happens if you are a Muslim or an Orthodox Jew and you need to visit the bank? So what happens if you are a Muslim or an Orthodox Jew and you need to visit the bank?

]]> By: Agies http://boingboing.net/2009/05/18/town-bans-hoods-hats.html#comment-495111 Agies Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-495111 My bank, PNC, has adopted this customer dress code. Anyone who has a legitimate medical or religious reason to wear dark glasses or head coverings is granted an exemption. I have no problem with this; the bank is private property and they have the right to refuse business from anyone as do its customers have the right to not give them their business. The thing I take issue with here is that it's not the bank that is issuing the dress code but rather the municipality. Moreover the municipality is forcing it on every bank leaving the customer no choice but to comply. My bank, PNC, has adopted this customer dress code. Anyone who has a legitimate medical or religious reason to wear dark glasses or head coverings is granted an exemption. I have no problem with this; the bank is private property and they have the right to refuse business from anyone as do its customers have the right to not give them their business.

The thing I take issue with here is that it’s not the bank that is issuing the dress code but rather the municipality. Moreover the municipality is forcing it on every bank leaving the customer no choice but to comply.

]]> By: IndiAUNAJones http://boingboing.net/2009/05/18/town-bans-hoods-hats.html#comment-495126 IndiAUNAJones Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-495126 We tried to do something similar at the library that I used to work at. The kids that made a lot of trouble (and were thus banned from the library) would try to "sneak" in by wearing large sweatshirts with the hoods pulled up around their heads. Sometimes it worked. Sometimes, they just stuck out -- seeing as they were the only kid with a heavy sweatshirt on in the middle of an 80-degree day. Regardless, I really wish that we'd been able to enforce the "no hood" rule (it really seemed to only be an issue at the branch I worked at) because there were dozens of people who evaded us on surveillance with their faces hidden. We tried to do something similar at the library that I used to work at. The kids that made a lot of trouble (and were thus banned from the library) would try to “sneak” in by wearing large sweatshirts with the hoods pulled up around their heads. Sometimes it worked. Sometimes, they just stuck out — seeing as they were the only kid with a heavy sweatshirt on in the middle of an 80-degree day. Regardless, I really wish that we’d been able to enforce the “no hood” rule (it really seemed to only be an issue at the branch I worked at) because there were dozens of people who evaded us on surveillance with their faces hidden.

]]> By: phoenix21 http://boingboing.net/2009/05/18/town-bans-hoods-hats.html#comment-495382 phoenix21 Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-495382 Perhaps the cell phone ban is unrelated but got lumped in - you know, roll out all the changes at once. It might be a courtesy issue for the tellers. It's difficult to do a transaction when the other party is ignoring you. Hello, I'm working with YOUR money here, you wanna pay attention?? Perhaps the cell phone ban is unrelated but got lumped in – you know, roll out all the changes at once.

It might be a courtesy issue for the tellers. It’s difficult to do a transaction when the other party is ignoring you. Hello, I’m working with YOUR money here, you wanna pay attention??

]]> By: mellowknees http://boingboing.net/2009/05/18/town-bans-hoods-hats.html#comment-495127 mellowknees Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-495127 I agree with #2 - My credit union has a similar policy, and I don't mind it at all (plus I figure it's easier for them to match people w/their photo IDs if they don't have sunglasses and hats on). I don't have any problem with the bank determining that hats/hoods/sunglasses are not okay. But I don't think that a municipality needs to create and enforce this rule. Aren't most cities, counties and states freaking BROKE right now? How can they afford to pay the extra cops to hassle people wearing hoods into banks? I agree with #2 – My credit union has a similar policy, and I don’t mind it at all (plus I figure it’s easier for them to match people w/their photo IDs if they don’t have sunglasses and hats on). I don’t have any problem with the bank determining that hats/hoods/sunglasses are not okay.

But I don’t think that a municipality needs to create and enforce this rule. Aren’t most cities, counties and states freaking BROKE right now? How can they afford to pay the extra cops to hassle people wearing hoods into banks?

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/05/18/town-bans-hoods-hats.html#comment-495130 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-495130 And how exactly does this stop people from robbing a bank or committing other illegal acts? The fact of the matter is that people who are going to do bad things are not going to be stopped by a sign that says "Oh, please don't or you might get in trouble." Those people have already crossed that line in their own minds. Bah, I say. Bah. And how exactly does this stop people from robbing a bank or committing other illegal acts? The fact of the matter is that people who are going to do bad things are not going to be stopped by a sign that says “Oh, please don’t or you might get in trouble.” Those people have already crossed that line in their own minds.

Bah, I say. Bah.

]]> By: Chris Spurgeon http://boingboing.net/2009/05/18/town-bans-hoods-hats.html#comment-495134 Chris Spurgeon Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-495134 My bank has a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to costumes at Halloween. Which seemed reasonable to me. My bank has a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to costumes at Halloween. Which seemed reasonable to me.

]]> By: Takuan http://boingboing.net/2009/05/18/town-bans-hoods-hats.html#comment-495136 Takuan Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-495136 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7t_JLkZ5AVE http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7t_JLkZ5AVE

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/05/18/town-bans-hoods-hats.html#comment-495144 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-495144 I used to work as a bank teller for several years. Id rather have been robed by the 'quiet, sneaky robbers' than by the 'guns a' blazing' take-over robbers. Unfortunately a policy like this will cause more robbers to just storm the building putting employees and customers at greater risk. This seems like a fairly abuse regulation on the part of the locality. I used to work as a bank teller for several years. Id rather have been robed by the ‘quiet, sneaky robbers’ than by the ‘guns a’ blazing’ take-over robbers.
Unfortunately a policy like this will cause more robbers to just storm the building putting employees and customers at greater risk.
This seems like a fairly abuse regulation on the part of the locality.

]]> By: Antinous / Moderator http://boingboing.net/2009/05/18/town-bans-hoods-hats.html#comment-496168 Antinous / Moderator Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-496168 $100s are the largest denomination in daily use. You can get up to your one-time and/or daily limit from an ATM, which might be $500. You can deposit checks or cash in the ATM. Banks are for merchants with massive cash, economically-challenged people who have to cash checks due to no account/need-now/etc. and for the occasional transaction like getting a cashier's check. Half the customers in a branch are either opening or closing an account or using the bank's mortgage broker or stockbroker. $100s are the largest denomination in daily use. You can get up to your one-time and/or daily limit from an ATM, which might be $500. You can deposit checks or cash in the ATM. Banks are for merchants with massive cash, economically-challenged people who have to cash checks due to no account/need-now/etc. and for the occasional transaction like getting a cashier’s check. Half the customers in a branch are either opening or closing an account or using the bank’s mortgage broker or stockbroker.

]]> By: The Lizardman http://boingboing.net/2009/05/18/town-bans-hoods-hats.html#comment-495164 The Lizardman Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-495164 My credit union has a polite request to remove hats and sunglasses stencilled on their doors (has since I joined years ago) which always kind of makes me smile as I raise my sunglasses up onto my head. I think mainly because it is a simply politely written request and because I know that a robber would just ignore it completely. My credit union has a polite request to remove hats and sunglasses stencilled on their doors (has since I joined years ago) which always kind of makes me smile as I raise my sunglasses up onto my head. I think mainly because it is a simply politely written request and because I know that a robber would just ignore it completely.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/05/18/town-bans-hoods-hats.html#comment-495165 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-495165 In Argentina cell phones are prohibited in all banks, from many years ago. In Argentina cell phones are prohibited in all banks, from many years ago.

]]> By: Takuan http://boingboing.net/2009/05/18/town-bans-hoods-hats.html#comment-495166 Takuan Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-495166 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-UHOgkDbVqc http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-UHOgkDbVqc

]]> By: JayConverse http://boingboing.net/2009/05/18/town-bans-hoods-hats.html#comment-495425 JayConverse Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-495425 They're just catching up to us in the big city. Here in Fairfax, VA, the Navy Federal Credit Union has cute signs at the entrance, no shades, hats, or hoods. I've got not issues with it. In fact, if they banned cell phones, that would be OK, too. It makes people look each other in the eye, and OMG, actually talk! They’re just catching up to us in the big city. Here in Fairfax, VA, the Navy Federal Credit Union has cute signs at the entrance, no shades, hats, or hoods. I’ve got not issues with it. In fact, if they banned cell phones, that would be OK, too. It makes people look each other in the eye, and OMG, actually talk!

]]> By: mypalmike http://boingboing.net/2009/05/18/town-bans-hoods-hats.html#comment-495173 mypalmike Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-495173 No one in Westerville is going to let you play their reindeer games. No one in Westerville is going to let you play their reindeer games.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/05/18/town-bans-hoods-hats.html#comment-499015 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-499015 Doe anyone know if there is money stolen from my account for example... And its withdrawn at an ATM, if a regular citizen can see that security video or does only the police have acces to those? Doe anyone know if there is money stolen from my account for example… And its withdrawn at an ATM, if a regular citizen can see that security video or does only the police have acces to those?

]]> By: Antinous / Moderator http://boingboing.net/2009/05/18/town-bans-hoods-hats.html#comment-495177 Antinous / Moderator Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-495177 Somebody just told me that one of the local banks has installed a single-serving turnstile booth for customers. They only let one customer in at a time. Which is great when you live in a place that's 120° in the summer. Plus, from the description, it sounds like being trapped in a revolving door. Somebody just told me that one of the local banks has installed a single-serving turnstile booth for customers. They only let one customer in at a time. Which is great when you live in a place that’s 120° in the summer. Plus, from the description, it sounds like being trapped in a revolving door.

]]> By: Takuan http://boingboing.net/2009/05/18/town-bans-hoods-hats.html#comment-495178 Takuan Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-495178 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jzeYb_StdBU&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jzeYb_StdBU&feature=related

]]> By: nosehat http://boingboing.net/2009/05/18/town-bans-hoods-hats.html#comment-495182 nosehat Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-495182 My understanding was that banks are really dumb places to rob from a risk/reward point of view, and that anyone other than a rank amateur, a moron, or a professional specialist is unlikely to try to rob many banks. (They've all got cameras, the cops are likely to show up very quickly, they have security on staff, the money will probably have one of those dye-bombs in it anyway, etc, etc.) My understanding was that banks are really dumb places to rob from a risk/reward point of view, and that anyone other than a rank amateur, a moron, or a professional specialist is unlikely to try to rob many banks. (They’ve all got cameras, the cops are likely to show up very quickly, they have security on staff, the money will probably have one of those dye-bombs in it anyway, etc, etc.)

]]> By: peterbruells http://boingboing.net/2009/05/18/town-bans-hoods-hats.html#comment-496986 peterbruells Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-496986 @51 Thanks. I assume "depositing checks at the ATM" means that it draws in the check and gives me a receipt. Does it scan the cheque? @51 Thanks. I assume “depositing checks at the ATM” means that it draws in the check and gives me a receipt. Does it scan the cheque?

]]> By: watchout5 http://boingboing.net/2009/05/18/town-bans-hoods-hats.html#comment-495205 watchout5 Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-495205 "The thing I take issue with here is that it's not the bank that is issuing the dress code but rather the municipality. Moreover the municipality is forcing it on every bank leaving the customer no choice but to comply." Oh I get it, ya that doesn't make much sense to me. Maybe the town keeps money in all their banks and doesn't want to see anymore of it get stolen? "My understanding was that banks are really dumb places to rob from a risk/reward point of view" Too many factors to generalize it like that, however if you feel like stealing from others is the most profitable reward you'll get yours. “The thing I take issue with here is that it’s not the bank that is issuing the dress code but rather the municipality. Moreover the municipality is forcing it on every bank leaving the customer no choice but to comply.”

Oh I get it, ya that doesn’t make much sense to me. Maybe the town keeps money in all their banks and doesn’t want to see anymore of it get stolen?

“My understanding was that banks are really dumb places to rob from a risk/reward point of view”

Too many factors to generalize it like that, however if you feel like stealing from others is the most profitable reward you’ll get yours.

]]> By: NickPheas http://boingboing.net/2009/05/18/town-bans-hoods-hats.html#comment-495717 NickPheas Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-495717 Hats I can understand. But cellphones? Hats I can understand. But cellphones?

]]> By: Baldhead http://boingboing.net/2009/05/18/town-bans-hoods-hats.html#comment-495973 Baldhead Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-495973 I've been doing that for years as a simple courtesy. Occasionally I see signs. I'm not sure I like the idea of it being a municipal rule though. Seems like you approach the "getting arrested for wearing a hat" area with this. I’ve been doing that for years as a simple courtesy. Occasionally I see signs. I’m not sure I like the idea of it being a municipal rule though. Seems like you approach the “getting arrested for wearing a hat” area with this.

]]> By: apenzott http://boingboing.net/2009/05/18/town-bans-hoods-hats.html#comment-495211 apenzott Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-495211 I am near-sighted and sometimes end up with the wrong glasses at the bank. (especially if I walk.) As a courtesy to the bank clerk, I will take off my prescription sun glasses, squint like a mole (so the teller gets a good look at me and know that I am not a threat) and them put them back on so that I can see the rest of the transaction. I am near-sighted and sometimes end up with the wrong glasses at the bank. (especially if I walk.)

As a courtesy to the bank clerk, I will take off my prescription sun glasses, squint like a mole (so the teller gets a good look at me and know that I am not a threat) and them put them back on so that I can see the rest of the transaction.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/05/18/town-bans-hoods-hats.html#comment-495474 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-495474 If hoodies are outlawed, only outlaws will wear hoodies. If hoodies are outlawed, only outlaws will wear hoodies.

]]> By: grimc http://boingboing.net/2009/05/18/town-bans-hoods-hats.html#comment-495475 grimc Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-495475 Workaround: White cane. Workaround: White cane.

]]> By: maryr http://boingboing.net/2009/05/18/town-bans-hoods-hats.html#comment-495480 maryr Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-495480 It's for the greater good (the greater good). Bloody hoodies. It’s for the greater good (the greater good). Bloody hoodies.

]]> By: Nancy Jane Moore http://boingboing.net/2009/05/18/town-bans-hoods-hats.html#comment-495495 Nancy Jane Moore Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-495495 Wow. There's certainly a lot of tolerance on here for these rules. Hasn't anyone else who reads Boing Boing seen the <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/03/09/AR2009030902387.html">report</a> about the Muslim woman who was pulled out of line at her credit union because of her scarf? At least they let her do her banking in the back room. (Do you suppose eventually they'll have a separate entrance for people wearing scarves?) There's a picture of her in her scarf at that link, and you can see her face just fine. It's just a scarf. In fact, the stupid sign at my credit union (which is otherwise a lovely institution) inspired me to write a <a href="http://www.bookviewcafe.com/index.php/Nancy-Jane-Moore/Flash-Fiction/The-Scarf-An-Interrogation-in-Three-Scenes">short-short story</a> for my flash fiction series on <a href="http://www.bookviewcafe.com">Book View Cafe</a>. And, hell, I can't see inside with my sunglasses on and I rarely wear hats, much less scarves. The rule doesn't affect me personally; it just bugs me. It's just the latest example of the kind of petty disrespect we're all learning to take for granted. Wow. There’s certainly a lot of tolerance on here for these rules. Hasn’t anyone else who reads Boing Boing seen the report about the Muslim woman who was pulled out of line at her credit union because of her scarf? At least they let her do her banking in the back room. (Do you suppose eventually they’ll have a separate entrance for people wearing scarves?) There’s a picture of her in her scarf at that link, and you can see her face just fine. It’s just a scarf.

In fact, the stupid sign at my credit union (which is otherwise a lovely institution) inspired me to write a short-short story for my flash fiction series on Book View Cafe. And, hell, I can’t see inside with my sunglasses on and I rarely wear hats, much less scarves. The rule doesn’t affect me personally; it just bugs me. It’s just the latest example of the kind of petty disrespect we’re all learning to take for granted.

]]> By: peterbruells http://boingboing.net/2009/05/18/town-bans-hoods-hats.html#comment-495755 peterbruells Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-495755 @43 Many ATMs are within a branch, at least over here. Do American ATMs dispense $500-notes? 'cause it's not uncommon over here for people to withdraw a couple of 100s, 200s or 500s to pay large items in cash. And you get that kind of money only from the cashier. OTOH, there's also the matter cheques, which I believe are still being used in the US. Or do people just send 'em in? @43 Many ATMs are within a branch, at least over here.

Do American ATMs dispense $500-notes? ’cause it’s not uncommon over here for people to withdraw a couple of 100s, 200s or 500s to pay large items in cash. And you get that kind of money only from the cashier.

OTOH, there’s also the matter cheques, which I believe are still being used in the US. Or do people just send ‘em in?

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