Gripe of the day.
Why are people so mind-numbingly stupid?!

I was speaking to a group of people at work (all women, incidentally, not that has much bearing on my story, but the kind of women who think they know so much about the world because they have children. I'm sure you've met a few people like that) and these women were babbling on about injustices in the world (i.e oppressive regimes, global warming, social deprivation etc). Then, I piped up. "How many of you bank with HSBC/Halifax/Natwest/RBS/insert any high street bank here?". Everyone of them said "Yes". Then, I let my diatribe loose:

"Are you lot aware that these banks use your money to fund and invest in these very opressive regimes and social injustices that you talk about? You're just as guilty as the people perpetrating them! If you wanted to make a stand, then close your accounts and move to an ethical bank (i.e Co-operative Bank, Tridos etc). Make a stand, instead of talking about it!"

Then, one of them hit back with this argument that killed my point dead in the water:

"But my bank gives me a good rate of interest."

I fear for the rest of the human race....

P.S For the record, I bank with the Co-Operative for this very reason. I feel I have no right in talking about these issues, if I'm with a bank which funds them, with my money.
(The Stig, Mon 22 Sep 2008, 12:27, Reply)