Each queue you see at the ATM is a fine blend of different types of people and personalities. If you use ATMs very often, you sure would have met all the following categories of people.
1. The fast users
These are the types of people you always pray to meet at the ATM. They get to the machine, press the necessary buttons, make their withdrawal within 2 minutes, and their off. When such people leave the machine, everyone on the queue gives them a “thumbs up” — inwardly, at least.
2. The over-careful users
They don’t have much to do at the ATM, but they try to be overly careful. You’ll see them carefully reading the screen before pressing each button. They’re trying not to make mistakes, but they could be very annoying.
3. The “CBN looters”
These ones have come to withdraw huge amounts — N300k, N250k, etc. — at the ATM. They’ll keep other people waiting for several minutes. Each time they retrieve cash from the machine, you’ll think that’s the last time. But no, they’ll continue until you give up on them. Then you’ll start praying inwardly that they don’t drain all the cash left in the machine.
4. The balance checkers
All they have come to do at the ATM is to verify how much they have left in their account. We all like them because they don’t waste our time.
5. The learners
These are the most annoying people you’ll meet at the ATM. They have come with someone to learn how to use the ATM machine, regardless of how long the queue is (imagine!). You’ll see some spending up to one hour or even more, learning how to use the ATM. I do wonder why such people don’t come at times when there’s nobody or only few people waiting to use the machine.
6. The confused ones
Or let’s call them the inexperienced users. They’re yet to get familiar with the ATM. You’ll see them trying to use the machine on their own at first (feigning confidence). They’ll keep struggling with the machine until people on the queue start grumbling. Only at that point will they call someone to help them out — what they should have done earlier.
7. The doubting Thomases
Another annoying set of people. They check their balance before withdrawal, count the cash after withdrawal, and still check their balance after withdrawal. You’ll then start wondering what happened to basic math.
8. The stubborn ones
These ones will keep slotting in their ATM cards even after the machine tells them “Issuer or switch inoperative” or something else that implies they cannot withdraw. Some keep trying for up to 10 times. They never give up until they’re shouted at.
9. The beggars
When these ones get to the machine and see the long queue, they approach those in the front and start begging to be allowed to use the machine, citing various excuses.
10. The lurkers
These ones could be very annoying, too. You won’t see them on the queue until when it’s almost your turn to use the machine. That’s when you’ll see them flying in from nowhere and taking their positions in front of you, claiming they were there before. When they get back to the queue, you’ll be pushed 7 places backwards, and that’s what makes them annoying.
Which of these people do you find most annoying? Have you met other types of people at ATMs that are not on this list? Share your thoughts by leaving a comment.