I’m terrible at math and numbers. Believe it or not, I spent five years working as a banker at a world-famous financial institution. This comedy bit is a snapshot of my “underdog” experience in the banking world. Comedy, after all, is the art of turning tragedy into laughter. As a comedian, my job is to make my audiences feel good about themselves while they laugh at my misadventures.
I joined the bank not for the pay but for the bankers’ hours and the medical insurance. However, career-wise as a banker, I was stuck in a pigeonhole working with low pay and limited growth opportunities. From time to time, I felt like a Cinderella trapped inside a pumpkin, with no prince in sight and no fairy godmother to rescue me. My joy at work came from my interactions and friendships with my customers, whom I affectionately called my “mice.” Surprisingly, it was in this career valley that I discovered my natural talent for humor.
Picture this, one day, while opening an account for a lady in her 40s, I had to follow the bank’s policy and ask if she was 18 years or older, even though her birthday was clearly on her driver’s license. What a ridiculous policy! So, I said to her, “My computer has a question: Who is that beautiful lady sitting in front of you? Is she 18 years old yet?” You can imagine, the lady was flattered and amused, answering the question with great joy.
My co-workers often overheard my dialogues and the laughter from my cubicle. They complimented me, saying, “You are very funny!” Really? I didn’t know I was a funny person. I was a dull engineer who grew up in China. During my 20-plus years in corporate jobs, nobody ever mentioned that I had a sense of humor; when I tried my best to win humorous speech contests at Toastmasters, I barely won any trophy.
You may have heard of the “5-hour rule,” favored by successful people like Elon Musk, Oprah Winfrey, Bill Gates, and Warren Buffett. It says you can become an expert if you spend one hour a day, five times a week, learning and practicing a new skill. Unconsciously, I was practicing jokes on my customers like open mics, eight hours a day for five years. Without trying, I built my humorous confidence and competence. The banker’s job prepared me to do standup as a Christian comedian years later. A career setback can be a blessing!
