We have a tips jar at work where we split the tips at the end of the night. I was working with Todd, and we split down the middle. During the night, he took out two bucks that were going to end up as his and bought something. Here’s what we did.
Tips at end of night: $16
Tips if money wasn’t taken out: $18
Todd took $6 and gave me $10. This isn’t right I said! He insisted I take it.
Here is what I think should have happened. Split the tips from $18, leaving us each with $9. Two of Todd’s bucks are phantom dollars. He in actuality takes $7 and I take $9 instead of 6:10. They add up to $16.
Is this right?
Yes. It’s easiest to calculate if you just divvy up the jar evenly, then have Todd give you half of what he took earlier.
Your math is better than Todds, but think of all the pleasure he will get from this gallant gesture. Why deprive him of the opportunity to make you happy? When he gets married his wife is going to teach him the same math he is using now so there is really no need to confuse him. Smile and be gracious. Next time I will explain how to get him to buy you something with his tip money and still owe you the tip money.
Actually, IMO it would be easier to calculate if you took the same amount out as Todd did ($2) then split the amount remaining in the jar ($14 split two ways gives you each $7–add the $2 you each already taken, and you now have $9).
Of course, not everyone’s brain does math the same way mine does, and that really confounds me. 