Do you ever forget your password or ATM pin number?

Have you ever blanked out while unlocking your computer/laptop? Or while punching in your pin numbers at an ATM?

I have experienced that fewer times with my laptop, but somehow retrieved with trial and error method. I never had issues forgetting my ATM pin number. Couple of days ago, Niranjan and I went for a movie. As usual, we didn’t book the tickets in advance, instead tried our luck going to the theatre. We both were lucky on that day, we got the tickets. I gave my card to pay, the girl in the counter told me that the machine was not working and asked me to pay by cash. Unfortunately, I didn’t have enough cash with me. I told her to block the tickets and rushed to the ATM which was on the other side of the mall. There was a big queue and I had exactly fifteen minutes. I stood in the queue hoping to get the money faster. The queue kept growing and I was frantic on missing out on the beginning of the movie. I stood patiently waiting for my turn. Finally my turn came and I had exactly five minutes. I inserted my debit card and punched in my card number (XXXX). Bang- incorrect pin! I thought it was a fat finger syndrome. I re-entered slowly; it didn’t accept my number. I was apprehensive to try again, thinking about card getting blocked with three invalid attempts. I decided to use a different debit card. Phew- incorrect pin again! I tried to calm down and re-entered, it didn’t help. There were many people standing in the line and staring at me. I called up Niranjan and asked him to come immediately. Luckily he was around; we got the money and collected the tickets. What kept me thinking is, for the first time in many years I forgot my pin number, especially the time when I badly needed the money. I couldn’t believe it myself! How can I forget those four-digit-numbers on two different cards? I went crazy.

After a day, while I was busy doing something at work, I suddenly remembered the numbers. I went to the ATM and punched in the numbers, Voila! It worked!

Note to self: Always keep some money in the wallet; you never know when the emergency comes!