Cultural Comparisons: An American in Germany: *Bureaucracy*

Donnerstag, 4. März 2010

Bureaucracy

When I applied for a student visa, I had to open a locked account that only allowed me to withdraw a certain amount each month. That account has long been at 1.50 € because the bank can't close it without permission from immigration office. So I emailed the office and asked for a letter saying the account could be closed so I can have a free, online, non-student account. Here's the answer:

Sehr geehrte Frau Glauser,

die Aufhebung der Sperre für Ihr Konto habe ich verfügt.
Bitte holen Sie das Schreiben für die Bank an der AUSGABE unserer Behörde zu unseren Öffnungszeiten persönlich ab.
Die Gebühr beträgt 10,00 €.

Mit freundlichen Grüßen

I have to pay 10 € to get 1.50 € and the peace of mind that comes with one less bank account. Typical.

Should I go to the trouble of picking up the letter and paying? :D

10 Kommentare:

Le Hamster Ruso hat gesagt…: Maybe in 20 years the interest will grown the amount to 10 EUR.; 4. März 2010 um 03:03
Michelle Glauser hat gesagt…: True that! I guess I'll keep waiting.; 4. März 2010 um 03:05
SHUO hat gesagt…: Oh I thought they only asked for the account thing to our Chinese students.; 4. März 2010 um 07:25
Michelle Glauser hat gesagt…: Nope. I think it is for all foreign students.; 4. März 2010 um 07:28
SHUO hat gesagt…: How I'm envious of you that speak good German and can actually study in Germany.^^

You know, I gave up the study-in-Germany plan because it's wirlich costly to me.

Come and visit China if you're interested.^^; 4. März 2010 um 10:04
dsg10715 hat gesagt…: hi! love your blog, have you ever seen any non fiction accounts of Americans living in Berlin or Germany....like "A Year in Provence"?
dsg10715@gmail.com; 9. März 2010 um 14:59
The Antiques Diva™ hat gesagt…: Viva la Germany... and the bureacracy! I sometimes want to pound my head on the wall! LOL!; 18. März 2010 um 23:59
Vera hat gesagt…: I've been secretly following your blog for a while - and saw that today you became "famous" on CJane. Congrats ;-) Und viele Grüße aus NRW!; 23. März 2010 um 03:30
Anonym hat gesagt…: How important is it to you? If it was me I would just bit the bullet to not have to deal with it anymore.; 23. März 2010 um 08:22
Anonym hat gesagt…: Der Kommentar wurde von einem Blog-Administrator entfernt.; 15. Mai 2010 um 00:56