Banks

Last week I went to open a bank account at Key Bank, since they're in both Ohio and Colorado, where I recently moved to.
First, let me explain Chinese banks, generally speaking, from a foreigner's point of view.
I wouldn't have been able to open an account without the help of a friend, with the amount of papers you have to sign and the person behind the window has to stamp. not only does she have to stamp it, but get her boss to come over and pull out HER special stamp secured in her pocket, and then stamp with her own one more time.
I tried signing up for online banking myself, I think, and never figured it out. They gave me a changing password keychain, and again a bunch of stamped paperwork.
When my card got stolen, I had to go back to the original branch that i opened the account at. There was lots of paper, stamps, and signing, actually I had to copy a statement that said something along the lines of a waiver, but I was so slow in writing the clerk did it for me and I signed, she stamped.
Then I had to come back a week later to pick up the card, and after slightly less stampage I had a new card with the same number.
If you use your card outside of your province, there's a fee, at another bank (not abnormal) a bigger fee, and some banks (even bigger ones) won't let you use other cards.

A lot of hassle, all for a little piece of plastic to keep your money safe.

I walk into Key, tell the woman who was helping me what I wanted, and 10 minutes later I have a checking account. One signature, one piece of paper, and no stamps. It went so smoothly that when she asked if I had any questions I hesitate and say, "I can do everything I can do at this branch at a Denver Branch, right?"
Duh, i know, i didn't actually need to ask that, but she was polite in her 'duh' response and I explained why I asked.

Still waiting on my card in the mail though... maybe i forgot to sign something.