A Year in the Merde
Mar 17th 2005 | 11:02 am
#1
Guest
Posts: n/a
A Year in the Merde
A journalist friend recently gave me a copy of Stephen Clark's "A Year
in the Merde." I experienced why he had written it...
As a foreign freelance journalist recently moved to Paris, I applied
to CCF (HSBC) for a simple bank account. Having submitted the
requested documents, today I received a call from the bank, advising
that my application had been rejected. No reason was given for this
decision, so I arranged to meet with the manager in person.
After waiting at the bank for over an hour, I was greeted by 'Mme
Manager', who without introduction, listed to my complaint.
When asked why my application had been rejected, she answered, "no
reason". I asked, "I have provided all the required documents. If I
deposit €6,000 will my application be accepted?" ---"No!"
Again I asked why. The answer, "no reason." I realised I had met the
merde. At this I offered Mme Manager the book I had been reading,
advising her to read and understand what I had just experienced. And
with that I left.
Please can someone explain what is wrong here? Is it me? CCF/(HSBC)?
The French?
Good luck banking in France!
in the Merde." I experienced why he had written it...
As a foreign freelance journalist recently moved to Paris, I applied
to CCF (HSBC) for a simple bank account. Having submitted the
requested documents, today I received a call from the bank, advising
that my application had been rejected. No reason was given for this
decision, so I arranged to meet with the manager in person.
After waiting at the bank for over an hour, I was greeted by 'Mme
Manager', who without introduction, listed to my complaint.
When asked why my application had been rejected, she answered, "no
reason". I asked, "I have provided all the required documents. If I
deposit €6,000 will my application be accepted?" ---"No!"
Again I asked why. The answer, "no reason." I realised I had met the
merde. At this I offered Mme Manager the book I had been reading,
advising her to read and understand what I had just experienced. And
with that I left.
Please can someone explain what is wrong here? Is it me? CCF/(HSBC)?
The French?
Good luck banking in France!
Mar 17th 2005 | 12:16 pm
#2
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: A Year in the Merde
"Traveller" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected] om...
>A journalist friend recently gave me a copy of Stephen Clark's "A Year
> in the Merde." I experienced why he had written it...
> As a foreign freelance journalist recently moved to Paris, I applied
> to CCF (HSBC) for a simple bank account. Having submitted the
> requested documents, today I received a call from the bank, advising
> that my application had been rejected. No reason was given for this
> decision, so I arranged to meet with the manager in person.
> After waiting at the bank for over an hour, I was greeted by 'Mme
> Manager', who without introduction, listed to my complaint.
> When asked why my application had been rejected, she answered, "no
> reason". I asked, "I have provided all the required documents. If I
> deposit ?6,000 will my application be accepted?" ---"No!"
> Again I asked why. The answer, "no reason." I realised I had met the
> merde. At this I offered Mme Manager the book I had been reading,
> advising her to read and understand what I had just experienced. And
> with that I left.
> Please can someone explain what is wrong here? Is it me? CCF/(HSBC)?
It must be you. I had no problem setting up an account with CCF.
Colin Bignell
news:[email protected] om...
>A journalist friend recently gave me a copy of Stephen Clark's "A Year
> in the Merde." I experienced why he had written it...
> As a foreign freelance journalist recently moved to Paris, I applied
> to CCF (HSBC) for a simple bank account. Having submitted the
> requested documents, today I received a call from the bank, advising
> that my application had been rejected. No reason was given for this
> decision, so I arranged to meet with the manager in person.
> After waiting at the bank for over an hour, I was greeted by 'Mme
> Manager', who without introduction, listed to my complaint.
> When asked why my application had been rejected, she answered, "no
> reason". I asked, "I have provided all the required documents. If I
> deposit ?6,000 will my application be accepted?" ---"No!"
> Again I asked why. The answer, "no reason." I realised I had met the
> merde. At this I offered Mme Manager the book I had been reading,
> advising her to read and understand what I had just experienced. And
> with that I left.
> Please can someone explain what is wrong here? Is it me? CCF/(HSBC)?
It must be you. I had no problem setting up an account with CCF.
Colin Bignell
Mar 17th 2005 | 4:51 pm
#3
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: A Year in the Merde
On Fri, 18 Mar 2005 01:16:57 -0000, in rec.travel.europe, "nightjar"
<nightjar@<insert_my_surname_here>.uk.com> arranged some electrons, so they looked like
this :
...
... "Traveller" <[email protected]> wrote in message
... news:[email protected] om...
... >A journalist friend recently gave me a copy of Stephen Clark's "A Year
... > in the Merde." I experienced why he had written it...
... >
... > As a foreign freelance journalist recently moved to Paris, I applied
... > to CCF (HSBC) for a simple bank account. Having submitted the
... > requested documents, today I received a call from the bank, advising
... > that my application had been rejected. No reason was given for this
... > decision, so I arranged to meet with the manager in person.
... >
... > After waiting at the bank for over an hour, I was greeted by 'Mme
... > Manager', who without introduction, listed to my complaint.
... >
... > When asked why my application had been rejected, she answered, "no
... > reason". I asked, "I have provided all the required documents. If I
... > deposit ?6,000 will my application be accepted?" ---"No!"
... >
... > Again I asked why. The answer, "no reason." I realised I had met the
... > merde. At this I offered Mme Manager the book I had been reading,
... > advising her to read and understand what I had just experienced. And
... > with that I left.
... >
... > Please can someone explain what is wrong here? Is it me? CCF/(HSBC)?
...
... It must be you. I had no problem setting up an account with CCF.
...
... Colin Bignell
People who read such books deserve to be treated as merde.
<nightjar@<insert_my_surname_here>.uk.com> arranged some electrons, so they looked like
this :
...
... "Traveller" <[email protected]> wrote in message
... news:[email protected] om...
... >A journalist friend recently gave me a copy of Stephen Clark's "A Year
... > in the Merde." I experienced why he had written it...
... >
... > As a foreign freelance journalist recently moved to Paris, I applied
... > to CCF (HSBC) for a simple bank account. Having submitted the
... > requested documents, today I received a call from the bank, advising
... > that my application had been rejected. No reason was given for this
... > decision, so I arranged to meet with the manager in person.
... >
... > After waiting at the bank for over an hour, I was greeted by 'Mme
... > Manager', who without introduction, listed to my complaint.
... >
... > When asked why my application had been rejected, she answered, "no
... > reason". I asked, "I have provided all the required documents. If I
... > deposit ?6,000 will my application be accepted?" ---"No!"
... >
... > Again I asked why. The answer, "no reason." I realised I had met the
... > merde. At this I offered Mme Manager the book I had been reading,
... > advising her to read and understand what I had just experienced. And
... > with that I left.
... >
... > Please can someone explain what is wrong here? Is it me? CCF/(HSBC)?
...
... It must be you. I had no problem setting up an account with CCF.
...
... Colin Bignell
People who read such books deserve to be treated as merde.
Mar 17th 2005 | 5:35 pm
#4
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: A Year in the Merde
Traveller writes:
> As a foreign freelance journalist recently moved to Paris, I applied
> to CCF (HSBC) for a simple bank account. Having submitted the
> requested documents, today I received a call from the bank, advising
> that my application had been rejected. No reason was given for this
> decision, so I arranged to meet with the manager in person.
>
> After waiting at the bank for over an hour, I was greeted by 'Mme
> Manager', who without introduction, listed to my complaint.
>
> When asked why my application had been rejected, she answered, "no
> reason". I asked, "I have provided all the required documents. If I
> deposit ¤6,000 will my application be accepted?" ---"No!"
>
> Again I asked why. The answer, "no reason." I realised I had met the
> merde. At this I offered Mme Manager the book I had been reading,
> advising her to read and understand what I had just experienced. And
> with that I left.
I've never heard of this before.
> Please can someone explain what is wrong here? Is it me? CCF/(HSBC)?
> The French?
HSBC is a British bank.
--
Transpose hotmail and mxsmanic in my e-mail address to reach me directly.
> As a foreign freelance journalist recently moved to Paris, I applied
> to CCF (HSBC) for a simple bank account. Having submitted the
> requested documents, today I received a call from the bank, advising
> that my application had been rejected. No reason was given for this
> decision, so I arranged to meet with the manager in person.
>
> After waiting at the bank for over an hour, I was greeted by 'Mme
> Manager', who without introduction, listed to my complaint.
>
> When asked why my application had been rejected, she answered, "no
> reason". I asked, "I have provided all the required documents. If I
> deposit ¤6,000 will my application be accepted?" ---"No!"
>
> Again I asked why. The answer, "no reason." I realised I had met the
> merde. At this I offered Mme Manager the book I had been reading,
> advising her to read and understand what I had just experienced. And
> with that I left.
I've never heard of this before.
> Please can someone explain what is wrong here? Is it me? CCF/(HSBC)?
> The French?
HSBC is a British bank.
--
Transpose hotmail and mxsmanic in my e-mail address to reach me directly.
Mar 17th 2005 | 7:13 pm
#5
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: A Year in the Merde
"Mxsmanic" <[email protected]> wrote...
>> Please can someone explain what is wrong here? Is it me? CCF/(HSBC)?
>> The French?
> HSBC is a British bank.
I suspect that the OP had a red-flag in his credit report of some sort, and
not disclosing the reason is what lawyers often advice clients to help them
avoid discrimination complaints or regulatory grievances over the issue.
Its a good business practice, even if it annoys the hell out of an
applicant.
=R=
>> Please can someone explain what is wrong here? Is it me? CCF/(HSBC)?
>> The French?
> HSBC is a British bank.
I suspect that the OP had a red-flag in his credit report of some sort, and
not disclosing the reason is what lawyers often advice clients to help them
avoid discrimination complaints or regulatory grievances over the issue.
Its a good business practice, even if it annoys the hell out of an
applicant.
=R=
Mar 17th 2005 | 7:21 pm
#6
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: A Year in the Merde
On Fri, 18 Mar 2005 07:35:02 +0100, Mxsmanic <[email protected]>
wrote:
>Traveller writes:
>> As a foreign freelance journalist recently moved to Paris, I applied
>> to CCF (HSBC) for a simple bank account. Having submitted the
>> requested documents, today I received a call from the bank, advising
>> that my application had been rejected. No reason was given for this
>> decision, so I arranged to meet with the manager in person.
>>
>> After waiting at the bank for over an hour, I was greeted by 'Mme
>> Manager', who without introduction, listed to my complaint.
>>
>> When asked why my application had been rejected, she answered, "no
>> reason". I asked, "I have provided all the required documents. If I
>> deposit ¤6,000 will my application be accepted?" ---"No!"
>>
>> Again I asked why. The answer, "no reason." I realised I had met the
>> merde. At this I offered Mme Manager the book I had been reading,
>> advising her to read and understand what I had just experienced. And
>> with that I left.
>I've never heard of this before.
>> Please can someone explain what is wrong here? Is it me? CCF/(HSBC)?
>> The French?
>HSBC is a British bank.
and one of the best. There has to be a reason.
--
Martin
wrote:
>Traveller writes:
>> As a foreign freelance journalist recently moved to Paris, I applied
>> to CCF (HSBC) for a simple bank account. Having submitted the
>> requested documents, today I received a call from the bank, advising
>> that my application had been rejected. No reason was given for this
>> decision, so I arranged to meet with the manager in person.
>>
>> After waiting at the bank for over an hour, I was greeted by 'Mme
>> Manager', who without introduction, listed to my complaint.
>>
>> When asked why my application had been rejected, she answered, "no
>> reason". I asked, "I have provided all the required documents. If I
>> deposit ¤6,000 will my application be accepted?" ---"No!"
>>
>> Again I asked why. The answer, "no reason." I realised I had met the
>> merde. At this I offered Mme Manager the book I had been reading,
>> advising her to read and understand what I had just experienced. And
>> with that I left.
>I've never heard of this before.
>> Please can someone explain what is wrong here? Is it me? CCF/(HSBC)?
>> The French?
>HSBC is a British bank.
and one of the best. There has to be a reason.
--
Martin
Mar 18th 2005 | 3:23 am
#7
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: A Year in the Merde
"Mxsmanic" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Traveller writes:
>> Please can someone explain what is wrong here? Is it me? CCF/(HSBC)?
>> The French?
> HSBC is a British bank.
HSBC is short for Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation
and its a true multinational thats listed on the London, Hong Kong,
New York, Paris and Bermuda stock exchanges.
Keith
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> Traveller writes:
>> Please can someone explain what is wrong here? Is it me? CCF/(HSBC)?
>> The French?
> HSBC is a British bank.
HSBC is short for Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation
and its a true multinational thats listed on the London, Hong Kong,
New York, Paris and Bermuda stock exchanges.
Keith
----== Posted via Newsfeeds.Com - Unlimited-Uncensored-Secure Usenet News==----
http://www.newsfeeds.com The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! 120,000+ Newsgroups
----= East and West-Coast Server Farms - Total Privacy via Encryption =----
Mar 18th 2005 | 3:54 am
#8
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: A Year in the Merde
Rog' wrote:
> "Mxsmanic" <[email protected]> wrote...
>
>>>Please can someone explain what is wrong here? Is it me? CCF/(HSBC)?
>>>The French?
>>HSBC is a British bank.
>
>
> I suspect that the OP had a red-flag in his credit report of some sort, and
> not disclosing the reason is what lawyers often advice clients to help them
> avoid discrimination complaints or regulatory grievances over the issue.
> Its a good business practice, even if it annoys the hell out of an
> applicant.
> =R=
How is it a "good business practice"? (And, even in France,
is one not entitled to know the reason - and have an
opportunity to refute it?) The OP had proof of employment,
and was planning to deposit a fair amount of money (for
which I'm sure the bank had no intention of paying interest
until it was withdrawn). If the account-holder writes more
checks than his balance will cover, the bank is out nothing
- they simply don't honor any that would result in an overdraft.
I once made an (abortive) move from California to Minnesota,
intending to live near an aging parent. The first bank
where I tried to open an account (because it was where my
parent - who offered to vouch for me - banked) turned me
down because I was unemployed. (Of COURSE I was
"unemployed" - I'd only arrived two days earlier!) They
made no inquiry as to my financial circumstances otherwise -
for all they could know, I might have been living on the
income from a billion dollar trust fund.
I simply went to another bank which promptly opened an
account for me, no argument. I was so ticked-off at the
first bank that I persuaded my parent and some other family
members to move their accounts elsewhere. Since they were
all upstanding pillars of the community who'd never written
a bad check in their lives, who was the loser? (The second
bank even offered better customer services.)
> "Mxsmanic" <[email protected]> wrote...
>
>>>Please can someone explain what is wrong here? Is it me? CCF/(HSBC)?
>>>The French?
>>HSBC is a British bank.
>
>
> I suspect that the OP had a red-flag in his credit report of some sort, and
> not disclosing the reason is what lawyers often advice clients to help them
> avoid discrimination complaints or regulatory grievances over the issue.
> Its a good business practice, even if it annoys the hell out of an
> applicant.
> =R=
How is it a "good business practice"? (And, even in France,
is one not entitled to know the reason - and have an
opportunity to refute it?) The OP had proof of employment,
and was planning to deposit a fair amount of money (for
which I'm sure the bank had no intention of paying interest
until it was withdrawn). If the account-holder writes more
checks than his balance will cover, the bank is out nothing
- they simply don't honor any that would result in an overdraft.
I once made an (abortive) move from California to Minnesota,
intending to live near an aging parent. The first bank
where I tried to open an account (because it was where my
parent - who offered to vouch for me - banked) turned me
down because I was unemployed. (Of COURSE I was
"unemployed" - I'd only arrived two days earlier!) They
made no inquiry as to my financial circumstances otherwise -
for all they could know, I might have been living on the
income from a billion dollar trust fund.
I simply went to another bank which promptly opened an
account for me, no argument. I was so ticked-off at the
first bank that I persuaded my parent and some other family
members to move their accounts elsewhere. Since they were
all upstanding pillars of the community who'd never written
a bad check in their lives, who was the loser? (The second
bank even offered better customer services.)
Mar 18th 2005 | 8:18 am
#9
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: A Year in the Merde
nitram wrote:
> On Fri, 18 Mar 2005 07:35:02 +0100, Mxsmanic <[email protected]>
> wrote:
> >Traveller writes:
> >
> >> As a foreign freelance journalist recently moved to Paris, I
applied
> >> to CCF (HSBC) for a simple bank account. Having submitted the
> >> requested documents, today I received a call from the bank,
advising
> >> that my application had been rejected. No reason was given for
this
> >> decision, so I arranged to meet with the manager in person.
> >>
> >> After waiting at the bank for over an hour, I was greeted by 'Mme
> >> Manager', who without introduction, listed to my complaint.
> >>
> >> When asked why my application had been rejected, she answered, "no
> >> reason". I asked, "I have provided all the required documents. If
I
> >> deposit ¤6,000 will my application be accepted?" ---"No!"
> >>
> >> Again I asked why. The answer, "no reason." I realised I had met
the
> >> merde. At this I offered Mme Manager the book I had been reading,
> >> advising her to read and understand what I had just experienced.
And
> >> with that I left.
> >
> >I've never heard of this before.
> >
> >> Please can someone explain what is wrong here? Is it me?
CCF/(HSBC)?
> >> The French?
> >
> >HSBC is a British bank.
> and one of the best. There has to be a reason.
> --
> Martin
perhaps the manager knew that he had read and enjoyed said book.
> On Fri, 18 Mar 2005 07:35:02 +0100, Mxsmanic <[email protected]>
> wrote:
> >Traveller writes:
> >
> >> As a foreign freelance journalist recently moved to Paris, I
applied
> >> to CCF (HSBC) for a simple bank account. Having submitted the
> >> requested documents, today I received a call from the bank,
advising
> >> that my application had been rejected. No reason was given for
this
> >> decision, so I arranged to meet with the manager in person.
> >>
> >> After waiting at the bank for over an hour, I was greeted by 'Mme
> >> Manager', who without introduction, listed to my complaint.
> >>
> >> When asked why my application had been rejected, she answered, "no
> >> reason". I asked, "I have provided all the required documents. If
I
> >> deposit ¤6,000 will my application be accepted?" ---"No!"
> >>
> >> Again I asked why. The answer, "no reason." I realised I had met
the
> >> merde. At this I offered Mme Manager the book I had been reading,
> >> advising her to read and understand what I had just experienced.
And
> >> with that I left.
> >
> >I've never heard of this before.
> >
> >> Please can someone explain what is wrong here? Is it me?
CCF/(HSBC)?
> >> The French?
> >
> >HSBC is a British bank.
> and one of the best. There has to be a reason.
> --
> Martin
perhaps the manager knew that he had read and enjoyed said book.
Mar 18th 2005 | 10:30 am
#10
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: A Year in the Merde
Keith W wrote:
> HSBC is short for Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation
> and its a true multinational thats listed on the London, Hong Kong,
> New York, Paris and Bermuda stock exchanges.
> Keith
True, but note that the listed company is HSBC Holdings plc, not SA or
Inc, its a British firm - Global HQ is in London.
Also worth knowing that if youve got an account with them in one
country they can usually set up an account in another country where
they operate.
Ian
> HSBC is short for Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation
> and its a true multinational thats listed on the London, Hong Kong,
> New York, Paris and Bermuda stock exchanges.
> Keith
True, but note that the listed company is HSBC Holdings plc, not SA or
Inc, its a British firm - Global HQ is in London.
Also worth knowing that if youve got an account with them in one
country they can usually set up an account in another country where
they operate.
Ian
Mar 22nd 2005 | 9:38 am
#11
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: A Year in the Merde
On 17 Mar 2005 16:02:41 -0800, [email protected] (Traveller) wrote:
>Please can someone explain what is wrong here? Is it me? CCF/(HSBC)?
>The French?
you know what we says in France
Bank loan you an umbrella by sunny days... and take it back when it s
start raining...
is it not the same in your country?
>Please can someone explain what is wrong here? Is it me? CCF/(HSBC)?
>The French?
you know what we says in France
Bank loan you an umbrella by sunny days... and take it back when it s
start raining...
is it not the same in your country?
