Sunday, 8 January, 2006

Electric bills are important in Ireland. An electric bill is pretty much your key to success here. With an electric bill, you can accomplish many things. Without an electric bill, you are regarded with suspicion. Here are some of the places we have been asked to produce an electric bill as proof of personhood: opening a bank account, getting a library card, for a video store membership, getting a cell phone, and acquiring an Irish credit card. I am sure we will receive many more requests to produce an electric bill as we attempt to insinuate ourselves into Irish society. For now, both the library and video store warily ended up accepting our lease as proof of address, but asked that we produce an electric bill at earliest opportunity. We opened a checking account, but had to use our Vermont electric bills. Our Irish bank statements are now to our VT address until we receive a local electric bill, at which time we are allowed to change our address with the bank. Strangely, no one has asked us to produce proof of paying an electric bill. Owing money to the electric company is what’s important.