Musings @ IOB

My visit to banks for transaction started sometime during my college days when I have fill up the fee chalan for paying the semester fees.Also I had been for quite a few occasions for deposits/withdrawl.Today I had a chance to visit IOB near my home for opening a safety locker.
Normally it is a given fact that locker facility is subject to availability,that too in a residential area where the residents would not prefer to take an auto/taxi to carry the valuables to the bank its evident that the number of applicants for the limited locker quota will be quite high.
Once I entered the bank I felt the atmosphere was pretty decent with chillness in air.I got reminded of my dad's office 18 years back where only the Regional Manager will have a air-conditioned cabin.Lots of infrastructural changes in GO's for good.
I walked towards a counter in front and enquired if i could get the details on availability of safety locker.The official incharge (he must be in his early 40's) in a fancy yellow t-shirt (when did Government offices bring this ''friday casuals" custom??) nodded his head from left-to-right.
I could'nt understand what he was trying to convey and asked "Iam sorry,I need to open a safety locker.Dont you have that facility?"...Now he raised and lowered his head...Now , I wondered if he dint know how to reply in english.I admit that I was not good enough to phrase the question in hindi.But the way he responded through action irritated me and I was like "Oh My God!!"
After a few seconds he told "ab yahan lockers khali nahin hai...apko chahiye tho usko puchiyae"
(There are no lockers available now...If you want enquire that person)
The seat he showed was empty....I asked "kahan he woh?"...He said "abhi ayega"...
I had no other choice but to wait...I asked "Locker open karne keliye application form hain...chahiye muje"...he said "Usko puchiye...muje maalum nahï"..
Whaatay response that too when there were only 2 to 3 customers waiting in the bank.
After sometime the concerned person walked to his seat...he was on a mobile phone call ...I waited till he hung and and approached his desk...I repeated the same set of questions and dint get any extra information.I was jus asked to open a savings a/c.Then I will have to apply for a locker.
Now my interaction with people in a metropolitan city like Mumbai has taught me few things.
* Try to make your conversation in Hindi though your grammar is not good as long it makes sense.
*Never expect a salesman , a government official or any one who portions out his work mainly in such conversations to talk/reply in English.
*Be patient enough till you get your work done be it an enquiry @ a bank / negotiation with a vegetable vendor.
*Learn Hindi.Its an easy way to survive.Teaching English /Expecting this major junk of people to talk in English would be a daunting task.