AmSouth Bank - Rude Tellers - I walked into my local AmSouth branch in Byram to make a $5000 deposit Friday and was told to remove my hat.

AmSouth Bank - Rude Tellers - I walked into my local AmSouth branch in Byram to make a $5000 deposit Friday and was told to remove my hat.

AmSouth Bank/Rude Tellers

I walked into my local AmSouth branch in Byram to make a $5000 deposit Friday and was told to remove my hat. Maybe I'm a little vain or self-conscience, since my bald 44 year old head is not very chic in this youth obsessed society, but I thought the request was particularly silly because I have been banking with Deposit Guaranty, now AmSouth for over 25 years, and this particular branch for more than two years.

I asked the teller, a pretty young lady, less than half my age, who had been taking my money for two years with no problem, if they required little old ladies take off their pretty hats that match their shoes and purse? She assured me that they did. I expressed my sincere doubts, but nevertheless, I did take off my baseball cap in order to get out of there before I lost my temper.

After stewing an hour at home I decided to return to close my account and take my business across the street to Trustmark, hoping for better hometown friendly service. I wrote a check for $50,000 and took it to the assistant manager since I knew someone besides the teller would have to take care of this transaction. The assistant manager took me back to the sames rude teller who actually said that she didn't think they could cash this much. The manager, who was working the drive-up window came over and said that maybe he could give it to me in twenty's, and then proceeded to tell me that I had to take off my hat. I replied "That type of disrespect is exactly why I'm closing my account". This young little preppy fratboy then told me to lower my voice.

I took off my hat and said "Just give me my bleeping money and you will never hear my voice again". With that he said that I would not be getting my money from HIS bank and to leave or he would call the police. I advised him to do just that and I sat down to wait. While I waited I observed two other gentlemen do business while wearing baseball caps without incident. A Hinds County Deputy arrived shortly and I explained everything to him, and another customer informed the deputy that I had done nothing wrong and that a man in a hooded sweatshirt had just been served without any problems.

The deputy went inside to verify my story, and and came back out to tell me that since I cursed in the bank I was not welcome and that I should go the the manager's superiors. I left wondering what was next? How about women who wear padded bras and wigs? How about short men who have toupe's or lifts in their shoes? What about people who have false teeth? And how do they know the difference between sunglasses and those self-adjusting prescription eye glasses?

I realize the "No Hats, No Hoods, No Sunglasses" program is aimed at discouraging robberies by making it easier to identify thieves, however banks walk a fine line between convenience and security. Their number one concern is making sure their branches are secure, but not at the risk of making good customers feel like bank robbers. If AmSouth chooses to refuse service to those who won’t comply with the dress code, the refusal policy must be consistently enforced. Failure to consistently and fairly enforce this policy could lead to unhappy customers and potential legal action.

Mike S Click this link to e-mail the above consumer: Email User Consumer