That's him, he is one of them......

.....a grumpy old man. Yes, I'm becoming one of them.

I can't go into a bank nowadays without losing my cool and entering into an argument with the staff.

It happened again this morning.

I went into my bank to purchase a modest amount of foreign exchange. All was proceeding smoothly with the attractive young teller with whom I would have flirted when I was three decades younger.

Then he asked me to sign documentation drawing specific attention that my signature would signify acceptance of the bank's privacy policy. I read and twice re-read one dot point in that policy that the bank may disclose my personal information to;

'...our external service providers that provide services for the purpose only of our business, on a confidential basis, for example to a mailing house...'

I concluded this meant my acceptance that the bank could pass on my information leading to me being targeted for unsolicited advertising. The teller couldn't explain the clause to me - although he had drawn my attention to it - but he agreed with my interpretation. I don't think he had a clue.

I asked to see the manager who turned about to be a 40 something suited Queen. He was summarily dismissive of my concern and in precise campy tones he told me, 'if you don't like it, you can go somewhere else'. I should have.