Today I went to a drive-through. My lunch was $4.41. I didn’t have 41 cents, so I got $5.16 ready so I could get three quarters back. The woman gave me a $1 bill. Being an honest person (dammit!), I told her she gave me too much and that I should have received 75 cents. She got the buck back, and I got three quarters.
As I got my food, I realized that this was the same place that shorted me a nickle a couple of months ago. Okay, a few cents isn’t going to cause me to declare bankruptcy; but the principle is that workers should be able to do simple math. I think I did the right thing by not “stealing” 20 cents; but I missed a “tee-hee” moment by pointing out that the woman made a math error.
I probably would have pointed out their mistake and got them to give me the right change.
Being basically honest is inherent in us all, but being basically stupid and not being able to add is something you just learn. (or don’t as the case may be)
I can’t for the life of me work out how they get it wrong though as most places have computerised cash registers to work it out for them. I guess it might just be inpputt errorrr.
When I worked at Baskin robbins… our registers didn’t calculate change for us. I never had a problem with it… but some people just had the HARDEST time. You have no idea how many times I’d go over how to do it with the same people.
<rant>
Simply put, I think somewhere in the educational system… we’re becoming too reliant on calculators-- which in and of itself isn’t so bad… EXCEPT- its my opinion that we start the transition too early before our kids have a really good grasp of what the calculator is actually doing. As a result, when a calculator isn’t present, they become lost because the basic math foundation isn’t there.
<end rant>
Sorry… I’d correct her. Not rudely… If for nothing else, because I feel bad if I get too much change, and the person behind the counter gets it taken out of their check.
When last I checked, the laws in the State of California prohibit the practice of tapping an employee’s pay check for “till” inaccuracies. Doesn’t mean it isn’t done though.
ARGH I hate Drive throughs. Although I do seem to have a ton of fun in them. For some reason they bring out a rude asshole in me. I yell at them for not giving me silverware(plastic) at KFC, then I ask for crap they dont have. Like tacos at Burger King, Whoppers at Jack in The Box. and my Personal Favorite “Can I have a hamburger with cheese?”
“You mean a cheeseburger?”
“NO! I said a HAMBURGER WITH CHEESE!!!”
And its alwaye fun to have them mix the softdrinks at Burger King. AFter all. “Your way right away at Burger King now”
You know what? I have never met you but I hate you. If I were to ever advocate spitting in someone’s drink or giving extra “special” sauce, it would be to you. Just wanted to share!
Oh no no no evilbeth when you get people like that you have fun back with them.
For example if he asks for a hamburger with cheese its about 30 cents more than it would be if you rung it up as a cheeseburger instead. Ring it up like that. He asks for a taco? Go take a hamburger bun fold it in half tear up some hamburger meat and throw some lettuce and tomatoes and stuff in it. And charge him for the extra labor. What else. He asks for mixed drinks? Mmm nothing beats a coke, coffee, creamer, sprite combination.
