Tuesday, January 30
_________________________
Banking Part Two
I tried calling the bank today. After several attempts, all of them ended in "This number is no longer in service." I even called the operator for instructions.
Finally I realized that the number I was given was 03 as the area code, but after researching, Tokyo's area code is just 3. I called trying that using one of those 10 10 dialing out discount phone services and got a young Japanese woman answer the phone. Her greeting was probably about 15 seconds long to which I said "Eigo ga Hanasemas ka?" (Do you speak English). She said "Mushi Mushi" and then hung up. Of course it wasn't clear that she hung up so I was talking to air for awhile.
Either very harsh or she couldn't hear me. It's probably the latter, so my advice is to not use 10-10-719, Startec, it sucks.
I tried just using the conventional 011 81 area code + phone number and I got the same person again. This time I said my sentence very loudly in case she couldn't hear me last time. She replied "Iie." I was waiting and hoping for her to append "Chotto matte Kudasai" (Please wait a moment). But there was nothing but silence. I filled it with disappointment: "uhhhhhhhh oooohhhkay. No one?" She replied "Hai." I hung up. I will try again in one hour.
Update I'm beginning to believe no one at the bank will speak english well enough to confidently perform a wire transaction for me over the phone or explain to me how I can verify myself. I will either need someone who can speak Japanese or write a letter. The letter will go something like, "Please help me. I need to have my money...."
|
