I don't know much

I was watching Channel 4's Dispatches: The Problem Princes last night and being a new immigrant to the UK, I feel naively proud of the royal family. Growing up in Africa the idea of having a queen ruling a country sounded like a fairytale. I remember when Prince Charles and Lady Diana got married, every teacher in my school brought in their television set from home. Then later, when Prince William was born, I couldn't wait to see the pictures. I followed the lives of Princess Anne and Princes Andrew and Edward. I cried when Diana died. So when I stood in the Wandsworth Town Council Hall about a year ago and took an oath of allegiance to faithfully support Her Majesty the Queen, I had a bit of a lump in my throat. I boisterously sang God Save the Queen in my slightly out of tune voice. For a while there I felt almost more British than some Brits, because this is something I choose. Now, I don't know much about the history of the House of Windsor or the royals. I only know what I've seen on television and in movies, read in magazines and newspapers. But for a new citizen to the UK like me it holds a romantic attraction. I have a queen now and I have taken an oath to support her. This alone has created a strange sense of belonging, far more so than joining a political party or signing up for some local volunteer work. It would be a sad day for me if they cease to be. I am totally aware of the fact that they spend millions of taxpayers' money. I know they have parties of epic proportions. And yes, some of the deals they make may be dubious to say the least. But what would England be without a queen or a king? I mean what will we sing at the beginning of a rugby match? God Save the Prime Minster? What would the Pound be without her face adorning it in all its majestic supremacy?

Banks

This morning I went to my bank to get information about opening a business account. When I made the appointment I stated clearly that this was a fact finding exercise. The first thing I was asked when I arrived at the bank was to fill out a form. This is how the conversation went: "Why?" A slightly condescending reply: " We need your details in order for us to open the account." "I'm not ready to open an account. I just want information." A baffled: "Oh." My question is this: When you get married and you pick out a wedding dress, do you walk into the first store you find and take the dress you are offered even though it sits a little loose on the waist and barely reaches your ankles? No, you go to at least five different stores and try on as many dresses as possible until you find the right one. Why should opening a bank account be any different?