"So can I now finally have my new passbook?" I enquire.
"Sorry sir, we are phasing them out and new accounts no longer get one. You can do it all online."
"Not if you can't read the Chinese website" I reply, pretty angry by now. Why, you wonder, did she not mention that fact 3 hours ago??
The only positive was spotting a couple of "smashing" Chinglish signs [see above and right]. I could have done with some "loving care".