The woman behind me paced and ranted. “Tai man le, zhe ge lao wai.” I didn’t like it any more than she did. When I started this sketch I thought I was racing against time – five minutes, maybe ten to capture this display of chops, but over an hour later, when I was still standing at the bank teller’s window, drawing more detail than I’d imagined, I agreed with the waiting woman – it was taking too long. 

I didn’t enjoy being called, foreigner, loud enough for everyone to hear, but I did understand her frustration. No one likes waiting. That’s why I was more thankful than ever that I had my sketchbook along. Instead of wishing the time away as I watched the teller type in this info, then that, I was able to capture a bit of culture, while listening to the tune of We Wish You A Merry Christmas, whenever anyone opened the security door.

I’m fascinated that the signature, which in many countries holds much power, means little here. It’s all about the chop. In fact, when I wrote my signature I had to redo the form entirely – she merely wanted me to print my name, then she proceeded to stamp it with a few of the many stamps in my drawing. So, here it is, The Bank Teller’s Chops, in memory of my two hour and twenty minute trip to the bank, an hour of waiting for others and an hour plus of others waiting for me, the foreigner!