Like me, I thought some of you might find the following tale of interest. It came from a friend of mine, Mike Salter:
The story went like this …
I spent an hour in the bank with my elderly dad, as he had to transfer some money. I couldn’t resist myself and asked …
”Dad, why don’t we activate your internet banking?’
”Why would I do that?” He asked… ‘
“Well, then you wont have to spend an hour here for things like transfer. You can even do your shopping online. Everything will be so easy!’
I was excited about initiating him into the world of Net banking.
He asked ”If I do that, I wont have to step out of the house?
”Yes, yes”! I said. I told him how even grocery can be delivered at door now and how Amazon delivers everything!
His answer left me tongue-tied.
He said ”Since I entered this bank today, I have met four of my friends, I have chatted a while with the staff who know me very well by now. You know I am alone … this is the company that I need. I like to get ready and come to the bank. I have enough time, it is the personal touch that I crave.
Two years back I got sick. The store owner from whom I buy fruits, came to see me and sat by my bedside and cried. When your Mom fell down a few days back while on her morning walk, our local grocer saw her and immediately got his car to rush her home as he knows where I live.
Would I have that ‘human’ touch if everything became online? Why would I want everything delivered to me, forcing me to interact with just my computer?
I like to know the person that I’m dealing with and not only the ‘seller’. It creates bonds of relationships. Does Amazon deliver all this as well? Technology is useful, but it isn’t life..
Spend time with people .. Not with devices.”
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Thank you, Mike. Please let dad know that we’re not quite ready to resume in-person networking just yet, although we’re still engaging the person, making the connections that matter, regularly via ZOOM.
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