It’s a funny thing. I have a bee in my bonnet this week about money. Specifically, I am appalled at cashiers’ inability to count back change.
I planned to share this frustration with a financial class that Kelly coordinates. Our lesson Wednesday night focused on negotiating for better deals. Then, in the midst of our discussion, one of the class members said: You know what bothers me? No one knows how to count back change!
That sparked story after story of change-making disasters.
- No one hands you the bills faced correctly!
- They dump the change in your hand without counting!
- If there’s not a machine to tell them what to do, they’re lost.
- Don’t even think about giving them “too much money” in order to get a specific value back.
- I was always taught to count change back up to the original amount given. No one does that anymore.
Each story shared mirrored one (or more) of my own. I found myself agreeing with the class members, all of whom are older than we are. Really, I ask you – how hard can it be to count?
It doesn't really bother most people these days. I find that it's mostly the members of older generations who are bothered by not having their change counted back to them.
I find it mildly annoying, though, when a cashier has to look at the display on the register (repeatedly) to figure out how much change I'm due.
I think a large part of the problem (other than simply not being taught how to do it) can be traced (originally) to checks and (more recently) the proliferation of credit and debit cards. Counting change back simply isn't as common as it used to be. I wouldn't be surprised to find that the vast majority of retail transactions these days only require the swiping of a card, and a signature.
Are you calling me a member of the "older generation"??
Sounded like it to me. Although the statement WAS "mostly the members of the older generations" so there's just a little wiggle room. It would probably be a good idea to take advantage of that fact – otherwise the "look of death" may make another appearance.
I can do it when forced to. I just never have been great at getting my brain to work that way. It takes me a lot longer and while I can do it, people in line usually are mean and rude expecting my math to be immediate. I am sorry, I have NEVER been able to do that. Ask dad!
My beef though with cashiers is not money related as much as it is their inability to bag. I am so picky that it is easier for me just to just bag my own stuff.
Shannah, dear, you should know better than that. We are mmuch too close to the same age for me to consider you 'older'.