# Getting change back: why coins last? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [July 13, 2010, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-change-back-why-coins-last/546481 "2010-07-13T01:28:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2010, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-change-back-why-coins-last/546481/21 "2010-07-13T13:27:02Z")
> [@usedtobe](#): > > I will not be surprised when the terminals tell them which coins to give. In some stores, the cashier doesn’t even give you the change (except for the bills). Instead they use an automated coin dispenser. ---
**Author:** ![hogarth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hogarth/32/1773_2.png) [@hogarth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hogarth)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2010, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-change-back-why-coins-last/546481/22 "2010-07-13T13:34:54Z")
> [@spark240](#): > > What’s special about that? They’re putting a piece of garbage in the middle of two valuable things, so you have to fish it out before throwing it away. ---
**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2010, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-change-back-why-coins-last/546481/23 "2010-07-13T13:37:16Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > So that’s why American cashiers always looked at me funny. In a casino, for example (IANAG), the dealer is very particular about handling cards and chips to make sure the transaction is absolutely above reproach. However, in a purchase, declining to put money in someone’s hand can be a subtle snub, like, “I’ll pay you but you’re just a lowly cashier that I won’t deign to touch.” It’s not anything official, just my own observation from living my entire life here. ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2010, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-change-back-why-coins-last/546481/24 "2010-07-13T13:41:55Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > So that’s why American cashiers always looked at me funny. Yeah, it’s totally cultural. I understand that in many places, particularly Asia, they put the money on the counter or on a little tray so they don’t touch your hand. They certainly do that in Thai restaurants here, I’ve noticed. If you do that in America some people will think you think their hands are gross or something. ---
**Author:** ![Markxxx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5daacb/32.png) [@Markxxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Markxxx)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2010, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-change-back-why-coins-last/546481/25 "2010-07-13T13:48:16Z")
The put the bills first in your hand then the coins on top of the bills. Why? Because the cashier doesn’t know where your hand has been and they don’t want to touch your hand. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![TXCowboy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/76d3ee/32.png) [@TXCowboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TXCowboy)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2010, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-change-back-why-coins-last/546481/26 "2010-07-13T14:00:19Z")
> [@CookingWithGas](#): > > I think I know why. I was a cashier at a neighborhood convenience store in the early 70s and we used to count out change by first counting up from the sale price, up until the amount tendered. For example, if the sale was $8.72 and the customer gave a $10 bill, we would count 3 pennies up to 8.75, a quarter up to 9.00, then a dollar bill to make it 10. But now, nobody who works as a cashier can count, so they punch in the amount tendered into the computerized cash register, which tells them how much change to give. So in this example it tells them to give $1.28, so first they get the bill, then the quarter, then the three pennies, in reverse of the old way. This was how I was taught to count change back. When you opened the drawer, you counted to yourself as you took it out, .03 makes 8.75, quarter makes 9.00, dollar makes 10, then you counted it back to the customer the same way, starting at the lowest coin up the the biggest bill. Nowdays thats hardly taught anymore, its all what the register says and they just grab it and hand it to you. What is really sad, my wife and I recently went to eat lunch at a Dairy Queen, our order was $16.58 or something. I handed the girl a $20, she hits the button and opens the register and then says “uh-oh”. I’m wondering what is wrong, she turns around and calls the manager over to her and tells him “I forgot to punch in what he gave me (holding the twenty up to the manager) will that mess me up?” He tells her no, her draw will still be correct, just give me my change. She stands there a minute and says “How do I know how much to give him?” The manger gets this funny look on his face and stands there a second. Now I am thinking he is about to get on her for not remembering how to count change… Oh no, he is stumped too! He finally gets a napkin and a pen to calculate my change!!!:rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![california\_jobcase](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9d8465/32.png) [@california\_jobcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/california_jobcase)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2010, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-change-back-why-coins-last/546481/27 "2010-07-13T15:35:19Z")
So far, I see no explanation from a current cashier. ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2010, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-change-back-why-coins-last/546481/28 "2010-07-13T15:39:40Z")
You’ve seen plenty from people who have worked as cashiers within the last decade. Like me. We were never taught how to make change in our heads and if it’s 10.73, we give you a ten and then 73 cents. Not rocket science. ---
**Author:** ![Angel\_of\_Doubt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/7cd45c/32.png) [@Angel\_of\_Doubt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Angel_of_Doubt)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2010, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-change-back-why-coins-last/546481/29 "2010-07-13T15:47:52Z")
I hate this too - invariably I drop the coins as they slip right off the bills. Now before the cashier hands any change back, I quickly hold out my fingers scissor-style with the palm facing to the side (just like playing rock-paper-scissors). Then I can put the bills away, count them, or stick out my other hand and take the coins. The cashier has to wait and can’t pile coins on top of my hand. ---
**Author:** ![california\_jobcase](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9d8465/32.png) [@california\_jobcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/california_jobcase)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2010, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-change-back-why-coins-last/546481/30 "2010-07-13T16:00:09Z")
Zsofia- handing me 73 cents, then a ten ain’t rocket science either. ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2010, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-change-back-why-coins-last/546481/31 "2010-07-13T16:05:26Z")
But that isn’t how people tend to read numbers. ---
**Author:** ![Penguinlady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f05b48/32.png) [@Penguinlady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Penguinlady)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2010, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-change-back-why-coins-last/546481/32 "2010-07-13T16:09:53Z")
> [@Markxxx](#): > > The put the bills first in your hand then the coins on top of the bills. Why? Because the cashier doesn’t know where your hand has been and they don’t want to touch your hand. 😃 What is dirtier than money? There’s a much higher chance that the money is unclean than that a washable hand is. ---
**Author:** ![Penguinlady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f05b48/32.png) [@Penguinlady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Penguinlady)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2010, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-change-back-why-coins-last/546481/33 "2010-07-13T16:14:17Z")
I want the coins first so I can put them away before dealing with the bills. So if they try to put the bills in my hand, I move my hand on top of the proffered bills and ask for the coins first. I agree that most people can’t count up - it’s a rare enough occurrance that I remember the times it happens. The easiest way is for the coins to drop down from the change-maker. It’s stupid-making but easier for the customer. I once got wrong change from a young girl who had to ask her neighboring cashier how much change to give me because her till had malfunctioned, and when I pointed her error out to her, she said, and this is a direct quote, “I’ve never been good at algebra.” Is there any hope for us? ---
**Author:** ![Peremensoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@Peremensoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peremensoe)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2010, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-change-back-why-coins-last/546481/34 "2010-07-13T16:17:04Z")
> [@hogarth](#): > > They’re putting a piece of garbage in the middle of two valuable things, so you have to fish it out before throwing it away. Receipts are garbage? What if you need to return an item? I put receipts in the wallet with currency, so laid atop the bills in my hand (or the other way round) is exactly how I want them. ---
**Author:** ![Keeve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f07891/32.png) [@Keeve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Keeve)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2010, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-change-back-why-coins-last/546481/35 "2010-07-13T16:18:56Z")
> [@In\_Winnipeg](#): > > Warnings: cash registers are not infallible. In the past, I have received too much change from people who were going by the (wrong) amount displayed by the register. In such cases, I don’t bother to point it out, because anyone who is that willing to go by what a machine says is obviously going to argue the point with you. Can you please give an example? It’s quite possible that the prices might be wrong, but in my experience, these machines are very good at adding up whatever numbers they have, and figuring the tax, and calculating the change. ---
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2010, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-change-back-why-coins-last/546481/36 "2010-07-13T16:24:57Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > I think that’s a large part of it, but there’s also a gender related reason. Somewhere (probably here) I read that women like the bills-first/coins-on-top method. If they’re paying with cash, they probably already have their purse or pocketbook on the counter, with the wallet open. They can just slide the coins into the waiting change compartment, then deal with the bills. It’s only a hassle if you want to put the coins in your pocket. \*\*california jobcase \*\*- the above is definitely the case for me. The method you seem to prefer is the opposite of what I prefer. So, no matter what, someone’s not gonna be happy. Re: cashiers putting money on the counter vs. touching your hand… in Poland there is almost never a direct skin-to-skin $$ transaction. Almost every establishment (bar, corner kiosk, grocery store, etc.) has a little scoopy-looking tray for the money to go. It never made much sense to me: my hand is too dirty to touch, but the money _that was just in my grubby fist_ is OK? But I was told it was considered rude to just hand over your dough instead of putting it in the tray. ---
**Author:** ![dracoi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/90db22/32.png) [@dracoi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dracoi)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2010, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-change-back-why-coins-last/546481/37 "2010-07-13T16:50:56Z")
I’m amazed by all the theories on this, and clearly there’s no one right answer. When I was a cashier (15 years ago in college), it seemed like the only way to do it. I was not trained in a particular method, and I have no problem doing logarithms in my head, let alone making change. I just can’t conceive of anything but bills first, coins on top. When you put the coins on top of the bills, the customer either: 1. stuffs coins and bills in their pocket together 2. lets the coins slide easily off the bills into their purse/pocket, etc., then folds the bills up to put away. And receipts? I asked them what to do while they’re putting their change away - either give it to them when they’re ready, or put it in the bag. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2010, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-change-back-why-coins-last/546481/38 "2010-07-13T16:53:01Z")
> [@dracoi](#): > > I’m amazed by all the theories on this, and clearly there’s no one right answer. > > When I was a cashier (15 years ago in college), it seemed like the only way to do it. I was not trained in a particular method, and I have no problem doing logarithms in my head, let alone making change. I just can’t conceive of anything but bills first, coins on top. > > When you put the coins on top of the bills, the customer either: > > 1. stuffs coins and bills in their pocket together > 2. lets the coins slide easily off the bills into their purse/pocket, etc., then folds the bills up to put away. 2b)Let coins slide off bills as you try to grab everything. Coins scatter across counter or floor or even worse, between your car and the drive through window. ---
**Author:** ![davekhps](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@davekhps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davekhps)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2010, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-change-back-why-coins-last/546481/39 "2010-07-13T17:08:24Z")
I’m surprised that “coins last” has become the dominant means here in America. I’m doubly surprised that anyone can _defend_ “coins last” as a preferable means of giving change. As noted by everyone, you give out bills (and sometimes receipts) first, then coins on top, you’re going to spill change. It’s a silly way of doing business. ---
**Author:** ![Peremensoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@Peremensoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peremensoe)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2010, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-change-back-why-coins-last/546481/40 "2010-07-13T17:19:14Z")
Personally I have no trouble handling bills, a receipt, and a few coins in my hand all at once. Maybe it’s just my big hands. But if if I did have trouble, I’d _withdraw my hand_ before receiving the coins, and put the other stuff away, and then extend it again for the coins. If I just stand there with my hand out, it’s not an unreasonable assumption on the cashier’s part that I’m ready to take the coins as well. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-change-back-why-coins-last/546481.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-change-back-why-coins-last/546481.md?page=3)