Rude bank teller.

[IndianInlaw]

Now that I think of it, she also asked me if a check I was cashing was from my mother.

What that had to do with anything, I don't know...

[HushHush]

Well, if you're normally friendly with this teller, it sounds like she was trying to make small talk and joke a bit.  Doesn't mean it didn't backfire but the second comment about the check from your mother makes me think that. 

charlotte

[candy4tartar]

MarinaDCA's comment is hopefully correct (benefit of the doubt and all that).
And if you can't discuss money matters in front of bank staff, then how do you ever manage to get a loan/ credit?

This post reminds me of several weeks ago, when I deposited some money into my husband's bank account. The teller made some comment along the line of "Your husband and you have separate bank accounts? How can you tolerate that?!?"
I can't remember the exact words she used, but she couldn't be more horrified/ aghast if I had announced my husband and I were practicing an open marriage! None of her business, nevermind the myriad of reasons we have for deciding to keep separate bank accounts for now!

[sweedetobee]

That's why I actually like my large impersonal bank. No one comments on anything unless asked, they are cordial and that is where it ends.

Even if you shouldn't discuss money in front of others - which I would think you'd have to do when you're in the bank? - the teller should 100% not have made that comment. I think I would have told her to mind her own business, politely of course

[ShadesOfGrey]

I'd just like to make the distinction between what the OP and her son were doing (discussing their own personal arrangements that happened to be financial) and discussing your finances (income, debts, investments) with a bank.  They are not the same thing.  One piece of info the bank is entitled to (if applying for loan/checking, etc.) and the other is none of their business. 

Discussing your sex life with your doctor is one thing. Discussing how GREAT your swinging lifestyle is with your doctor, is a completely different matter. 

[Sharnita]

Thank you rdge. I hardly think telling someone "You owe me x for y".  must or necessarily should be done in front of the bank teller. It is none of their business and if I am in line waiting, you are waisting time they could be giving to me.

[Brentwood]

Thank you rdge. I hardly think telling someone "You owe me x for y".  must or necessarily should be done in front of the bank teller. It is none of their business and if I am in line waiting, you are waisting time they could be giving to me.

I wouldn't assume IndianInlaw and her son were wasting anyone's time. From the OP, it sounds to me like they were sorting out their funds before approaching the tellers, and a teller overheard her son's comment.

I can't imagine why it would be inappropriate to discuss the division of their funds at the bank while sorting out what accounts to deposit to/withdraw from. It could probably be discussed at home, but I don't see why it's inappropriate at the bank. They weren't talking TO the teller.

[ShadesOfGrey]

Thank you rdge. I hardly think telling someone "You owe me x for y".  must or necessarily should be done in front of the bank teller. It is none of their business and if I am in line waiting, you are waisting time they could be giving to me.

I can't imagine why it would be inappropriate to discuss the division of their funds at the bank while sorting out what accounts to deposit to/withdraw from. It could probably be discussed at home, but I don't see why it's inappropriate at the bank. They weren't talking TO the teller.

Cathy F,
Many people consider finances personal information (whether it is sorting out gas $$ or how much you paid for your house or your salary).  As such, many people consider it inappropriate to discuss in front of others. 
Some people dont feel this way. 

I believe that etiquette says finances are considered personal information and discussions better left in private, and that the bank teller should not have commented if she overheard this information. 

[Brentwood]

Thank you rdge. I hardly think telling someone "You owe me x for y".  must or necessarily should be done in front of the bank teller. It is none of their business and if I am in line waiting, you are waisting time they could be giving to me.

I can't imagine why it would be inappropriate to discuss the division of their funds at the bank while sorting out what accounts to deposit to/withdraw from. It could probably be discussed at home, but I don't see why it's inappropriate at the bank. They weren't talking TO the teller.

Cathy F,
Many people consider finances personal information (whether it is sorting out gas $$ or how much you paid for your house or your salary).  As such, many people consider it inappropriate to discuss in front of others. 
Some people dont feel this way. 

I believe that etiquette says finances are considered personal information and discussions better left in private, and that the bank teller should not have commented if she overheard this information. 

I think in this case the discussion was germane to what they were doing at the bank. The teller having commented on what she overheard is the only inappropriate part.

[ShadesOfGrey]

I think in this case the discussion was germane to what they were doing at the bank. The teller having commented on what she overheard is the only inappropriate part.

Germane yes, but personal in nature as well, thus should have been discussed in private.  I agree it is a more conservative view, and not exactly the same as discussing one's salary, and as per my other posts, the teller was definitely inappropriate, but I think we can definitely agree to disagree on this one.