Doesn't ANYONE know HOW to count change back anymore?

[punk-a-doodle]

I wonder how much of not seeing change being counted back is because many probably don't want it counted out to them? Judging by how rude customers can be to cashiers because they "are in a hurry", well, it may factor into that. People count back my change in slower places, such as banks and gas stations. I've never had it counted back in a high stress/traffic area such as Wal-mart or some airports. Places that tend to accept credit cards far more often than cash also tend not to count back, where as places that see more cash (ie. gas stations again) do. It probably has less with people not knowing how to count "ten, twenty, and fifty, there you go" as it does with the change in culture.

The registers usually tell cashiers and customers the change to expect (or people paying can calcultate in their head if they prefer), so it is usually pretty easy to see instantly what they are handing you, counted back or not. And it is good to count because people do short change on occasion.

 

[Wynette]

Goodness, I know how to count change back...am I in the minority? I sure hope not!

 

[Elite Silkies]

You also have to watch out using your ATM cards now too, if they run the card behind the counter, be sure and check your receipt. They are checking yes when it ask if you want cash back.

I learned how to count change back way before I got my first job. I think it should be mandatory, but that's just me.

 

[saddina]

Quote:
Honestly? the stuff that comes up on the required standardized test each May. Pretty much anything not on the test is considered an "extra" in the school out here. When I taught 4th grade a few years ago they could find an adverb, but not tell me how many more minutes till lunch. Look at any recient textbook, on the pages it tells you exactly which testing measure it's supposed to cover.

 

[bustermommy]

Quote:
Why? Seems to me there are other, more important, things that should be taught other than an outdated skill like this--might just as well teach kids how to rotary dial a phone. As much as those of us that learned to do this--and I was one--think this is a useful skill, this kind of thing is not necessary for the holding of even the lowest skilled job. I suspect that it won't be long before a cash register/computer will just tell the operator what coins/bills to hand in change and the number of each.

BTW, I learned a lot of mathematical "tricks"in my youth that, while they can make arithmetic easy, aren't nearly as fast or accurate as a little $3 handheld calculator.

People still have rotary phones.

I really hope that counting money is not an outdated skill. I always count my change, although don't ask that the cashier count it back to me. I also worked at a place where you had to figure out the change. Not that hard! My first cashier job, we always counted it back. Every cashier job, I did not put the money away until I gave the change back. Most people are honest about what they gave you, but not all and I'd rather be able to check myself too.

This makes me think of the person who actually told me that I have a deprived life because I don't have a cell phone with Angry Birds on it. Boring! I'd rather watch my chickens, read a book, knit, even cleaning house (which I hate) sounds better. She actually used the words "deprived life."

 

[rodriguezpoultry]

Quote:
but you don't even need a calculator to do the math to figure out how much is owed back to the customer- if you know how to correctly count change. Like I said my total was 24.87- I handed her a 100 dollar bill.

3 pennies makes 90
a dime makes 25.00
20 makes 45
20 makes 65
20 makes 85
10 makes 95
and 5 makes 100

that is how it should have been counted back. not here is 75.13.

I'm sorry, but no matter HOW many ways this is explained to me, or done for me or had me do it...I cannot EVER make sense of this. I have had my dad try and teach me for years, as well as my math teacher back in high school. It has never clicked. I will continue to count back according to the register. As in, actually COUNTING the money the way it is on the register. As in: "5, 10, 15, 20".

 

[call ducks]

Ive learned to count and count my money again before i leave the store! i have had a checking account for 3 years and just yesterday did i order my first 50 cehques. There are a few young (my age) cash people that don't count it back... it annyoys me soooo much. The banks around here are good at counting back though

Time to take a re fresher coruse on check writing.. only learned it once in fith grade

while it's nice to have debit and cash, it's also nice to have chqese for those people that don't take debit

 

[Randy]

Quote:
but you don't even need a calculator to do the math to figure out how much is owed back to the customer- if you know how to correctly count change. Like I said my total was 24.87- I handed her a 100 dollar bill.
3 pennies makes 90
a dime makes 25.00

20 makes 45
20 makes 65
20 makes 85
10 makes 95
and 5 makes 100

that is how it should have been counted back. not here is 75.13.

I guess I don't know how to count change then. I would have done it like this.

3 pennies and a
dime makes 25.00

5.00 makes 30.00

10 makes 40.00

then with the 20.00s 60, 80, 100.

 

[Matthew3590]

Quote:
but you don't even need a calculator to do the math to figure out how much is owed back to the customer- if you know how to correctly count change. Like I said my total was 24.87- I handed her a 100 dollar bill.
3 pennies makes 90
a dime makes 25.00

20 makes 45
20 makes 65
20 makes 85
10 makes 95
and 5 makes 100

that is how it should have been counted back. not here is 75.13.

I guess I don't know how to count change then. I would have done it like this.

3 pennies and a
dime makes 25.00

5.00 makes 30.00

10 makes 40.00

then with the 20.00s 60, 80, 100.

I thought counting change back was actually counting the money you were giving them.

 

[ChickenAlgebra]

Quote:
Nope, that's how I count change back also. And how I taught my kids. Figured it was easier for them to add up with the smaller bills - they got 1+1 sooner than they got 10+20.

I maintain the fact I've had nicer kids give me change back in a box store, yet the cranky person who wants to retire just throw the change not counted right in local stores. It's just based on the person.

My favorite remains the man who said well he was a WWII vet, so he didn't have to count change back, I should respect the military service he provided. So I let my then 4 y/o Grant count the change back to me, and yup, it was wrong. So when I asked for the correct change, he got his manager. Who thought my kid was adorable, and yes, we got the right change and Grant counted it back properly again. As we were getting ready to leave, Grant looked at the checker and said "My Daddy's a Marine, so he's the best!" I love my kids.