Must you INSIST on digging through your loose change for the exact coinage?

[blondeatlast]

When the poor cashier is already looking at 8 people in her line already?

Since Mr. B@L is in Prague on biz, the younger B@L is playing b-ball at a friend's house, and today's DU theme seems to be "cheer up the wife left behind with a ridiculously framed OP and the wonderfully witty rejoinders to it"... I just thought I'd add my own!

(Ahem edit--this post is a gentle mocking of the DU undergarment macrame for today...)

[msongs]

1. each person in line will get their turn when GOD willls it nt

[fishnfla]

2. I found out the toll booth machine on the turnpike takes pennies

I throw them in one at a time. The sound of blaring horns helps keep me awake

[DonEBrook]

4. Those blaring horns are from the toll booth, the turnpikes in FL do NOT take pennies!

:rofl:
(well they didn't when I lived there) :D

[fishnfla]

10. Well the 417 tollbooths do

that may be a new road for you, the greenbelt. The machine has a display that counts for you. I'm tempted to drive off at 49cent to see wha' happens

Welcome to DU

[DonEBrook]

15. Yeah I moved from Tampa 15 years ago EEK I can't believe it's that long!

No idea what the greenbelt road is...but I bow to your obviously current experience! Thanks for the welcome.
:-)

[Dis Pater]

3. Can't people prepare while they're waiting?

I mean get out your checkbook, start filling it out, double check to see if you have change, coupons, id etc, etc..

What makes me even more frustrated are the people ahead of me waiting to order food, they wait 10 mins to get to the front of he line and they decide that that is the best time to start looking at the choices. !!

[HillbillyBob]

26. Amen, I always seem to get behind the lady that needs to count out 59 pennies,

or waits until she gets up there to get out a check then fish for her ID, glasses, needs a pen, needs the manager to clear that she can use a check. In the meantime my icecream has melted and I no longer want ice cream or whatever perishable.
I have started looking for the signs, if its change I ll put up the change they are lookin for or look for a manager while they are fishing for the accouterments that go with writing a check I have a pen in my pocket, call over the manager..they think I am being nice.
Hell I have HIV and take chemo level drugs, I really don't want to have to get out of the line and start over with the wait while I run to the bathroom or piss my pants or .....
It would be easier if I could just throw up on their shoes...
on edit
Its ok if you have something near the correct change, I ll count up what my bill will be before I get in line and what change I have in my pocket. I won't count out 90c in pennies though. I usually use my debit card, have it out and ready.

[pitohui]

30. i used to think that too, now i know why they can't

past a certain age you can't see up close, so you have to actually wait until you're in position to put on your reading glasses and dig for change, write checks, etc.

i was near sighted for many years (until lasik) i had no IDEA what a nuisance being far sighted would be and how it slows you down, but it really does

all you can do is just realize that one day you too will be older and slower, there really isn't any use being impatient, when i become aware that someone is impatient is behind me it makes me nervous and slows me down even more because i have to take exaggerated care or i drop something (intention tremor)

the woman who has to count out 59 pennies is depending on those pennies to eat, so what do you do? people aren't counting out pennies because they're rich but because they have to make those pennies count and making us feel bad about it doesn't do anything to speed the line, it just creates more nervousness and slows things down even more

if you have a condition where it's hard for you to stand in line, please let me know BEFORE the cashier starts ringing up, and i am happy to let you ahead of me -- i do it all the time

if i happen to see you only have a few items, then i try to pro-actively ask you to go ahead but i don't always notice, good grief, if there is an issue, just say something, i don't think most "slow" ladies care if you go first, just ask if there is a problem -- believe me, i know i'm slow, you got to use the can, catch a plane, or get to work, then please speak up, i'm not a mind reader"

and for god's sake, when i ask you if you'd like to go ahead of me in line, don't react like i just called you "old," i'm trying to do you a favor, i'm not calling you "old," i'm calling myself "old" because i'm slower than average physically sheesh, i've actually had a few people get huffed that i tried to let them ahead of me?

[Generic Other]

52. Lasik did this same thing to me

Far sighted means never quite reading anymore!

[Midlodemocrat]

5. Are you saying I'm Un-American?

:rofl:

[blondeatlast]

9. Was that in my post? Or do you BELIEVE you are un-American

and are looking for support?!

Bet you talk on the g-d cell phone while you are at it, too! Blffft...

[Midlodemocrat]

13. Nice assumption, Hitler. My cell phone lives in my car.

So, no, I wouldn't be talking on my phone.

:rofl:

[blondeatlast]

19. Yeah, where you text on it while speeding on the Interstate...

Bet you hate speed cameras, too; no respect for authority!

[Midlodemocrat]

20. I don't know how to text.

:cry:

[blondeatlast]

23. Me either; I don't even have it on mine. A woman almost ran into me

while texting--she wasn't even in a car; I was holding a door open for her and her little daughter.

:mad:

[Demobrat]

6. I do that all the time. Saves the cashier having to make change.

I just hand her the cash and go. So sue me.

[Bluebear]

11. Handing her cash fast is fine. It's when people dig for 5 minutes for that elusive penny.

[Midlodemocrat]

14. That elusive penny is AMERICAN coinage, bub. Why do you hate America?

[blondeatlast]

16. Then America must hate America; I've been told of the elimination

of the penny.

I'm convinced that somehow that is designed to lead to the collapse of capitalism (or is it further impeding inevitable socialism).

YOU are the hater--admit it!

[murielm99]

7. I do.

If I have exact change, I fish it out for them. What's wrong with that?

They are always running out of singles and fives. And some cashiers have trouble giving back the exact change, even when their registers tell them how much it should be.

I am always polite to store clerks. But if the exact change thing is a foible, I guess I have a foible.

[StClone]

8. I can make change faster than the cashier

So whatsa matta You?

[Are_grits_groceries]

12. The next shopping headline:

"Customer Shot While Counting Out Coins for a $34.79 Purchase"

[Midwestern Democrat]

17. As long as it doesn't take more than a few seconds, it's a nice thing to do.

In my life, I'll bet I've had 20-30 cashiers ask if I had the change and look awfully disappointed when I sheepishly told them I didn't. I also worked fast food during high school (as a cook) and on several occasions was sent out to make an emergency "change" run because too many customers bought their meals with twenty dollar bills - leaving a cash register full of twenties and virtually no fives and ones.

I think most people try to provide the exact coinage for the benefit of the cashier rather than themselves - obviously, they shouldn't take forever trying to do this, but if only takes 20 seconds or so, it's a helpful thing to do.

[Demobrat]

21. I feel bad when I have to use a big bill

for a small purchase, like I'm taking all the store's change. And it's the same with cabs, which I use a lot. I try to never get into a cab without small bills. It's hard for cabbies when everybody gives them twenties, especially early in their shifts.

[tularetom]

18. My wife does that -it's like a reflex

As soon as she sees the total flash on the register she has the ol coin purse out and she's counting out the pennies. Sometimes she'll even do it whem I'm the one making the purchase and she's just standing there waiting for me.

What makes it worse is she has to check all the quarters first to see if they are state quarters that she has not yet added to her collection.

She's caught me rolling my eyes at the cashier a couple of times already.

[KG]

22. shun! shun them! shun the exact changers!

[blogslut]

24. I have worked as a cashier

The change counters gave me much appreciated pause during rush hours.

Anybody familiar with the joke about a bartender vs a proctologist?

:hi:

[latebloomer]

37. No, what is it? n/t

[blogslut]

41. Q: What's the difference between a proctologist and a bartender?

A: The proctologist only has to look at one asshole at a time.

;)

[latebloomer]

42. Having been a bartender during my misspent youth

I can appreciate that!

[mondo joe]

25. I hate everyone who creates unnecessary delays in line. Like people who wait to get the total before

fishing out their checkbooks or debit cards.

If you know you're going to use it, get it out before you get the total!

[cherokeeprogressive]

27. This thread is more about impatient shoppers than it is about cashiers.

The cashier will do his/her time at the cash register no matter how many customers are standing in line. If their shift assignment is x hours at the cashier then x hours on the floor, then they'll do they two hours at the register. If customers were more patient with those people paid a pittance to serve them, this whole world would be a much better place.

[mondo joe]

28. It's about shoppers with no regard for the time of others. Cashiers never entered into it.

:hi:

[cherokeeprogressive]

29. On the subject of coins, I feel like I'm making the cashier's job easier.

Also digging out the dollar bill when it's a 21.00 dollar charge rather than paying with two twenties like I see a lot of people do. I see the huge majority of shoppers paying with paper money, receiving at least a few coins in return. This depletes the amount of coin in the register drawer very quickly, requiring the cashier to get new coin rolls to replenish it, thereby pissing you off because you're angry at the time you've spent in line... Vicious circle.

Too bad not everyone can pay with a debit card. No fuss, no muss, and very little time spent. Then you'd be a happier shopper when you left the store. Me, I'm never in so much of a hurry that I get pissed off because a person is in a situation where they might have to count coin to pay for their goods. It gives me more time to engage in my favorite pastime, people watching.

:toast:

[mondo joe]

33. Debit card is no guarantee of speed or thoughtfulness.

My issue is people not being ready when they get their total. There are jerks within every payment type.

[cherokeeprogressive]

34. It would seem that the issue is your convenience, and how long you have to wait.

I'm okay with that. I hurry. Some peoples' time is more important than mine. I try not to inconvenience anyone.

[mondo joe]

35. I try to respect others' time. I know people have kids waiting, work to get to,

lives to live.

[blondeatlast]

31. Not really, it's about DUers with nothing more to do than complain about minor shopping annoyances.

Read my whole OP--I state very clearly (or so I thought) that it's a giggle for a lonely wife whose husband is half a world away on a family holiday. If I couldn't find a giggle, I'd be in sorry shape right now; but I'm actually quite content and happy thanks to DU.

If you must be exact, I'm fine with it, really. I used to cashier and it never bothered me.

I'm just pulling a few legs for my own selfish amusement! :hi:

[cherokeeprogressive]

32. Figured that out after my reply. Don't mind me, I almost always put a foot in my mouth.

[Blue Diadem]

36. The poor cashier probably welcomes the few second break.

I've worked as a cashier at some very busy stores, I never minded if someone took a bit of time to get a penny or dime to make exact change. I never minded when they wrote out their check, if it was prepared before hand or if they waited to write it out.

What our group of cashiers found annoying were the impatient people. They created anxiety among other customers and cashiers as well. If they get upset over someone digging for some change, what do you think they'd do if a cashier needed to get change because they ran out of dimes or quarters or had to do a price check on one of their items?

[latebloomer]

38. Well, I hate pennies!

And I'm always digging around, trying to get rid of them. I save the other coins and put them in my home repair fund.

I'm very afraid of looking like a fussy old lady, so I make sure I have 4 pennies in my hand before I check out.

[blondeatlast]

40. Y;know, that's a really good idea!

My post was mainly for a giggle, but you have a really good idea there; have your 4 pennies ready and you are prepared!

Thank you, I'm going to try that myself!

[MazeRat7]

39. Change ? How quaint. n/t

[NashVegas]

43. Relax. Enjoy the Season

Have a little eggnog.

:hi:

[Subdivisions]

44. I save all my change and drop it into a water jug. In one year's time,

I saved nearly $400 worth of coins.

[pipi_k]

45. Not only do I insist on it, but I do

bring all my unwrapped loose change to the store with me in a plastic bag and dump it on the counter for the cashier to count.

In the time it takes the cashier to count out $175.84 in pennies, I've made the acquaintance of every shopper in back of me, played with all those cute little toys at the checkout counter, and read every magazine there including those cute little pocket horoscope books and the "Enquirer's" latest story on space aliens masquerading as fresh fruit and vegetables.

Sometimes I even crawl into the shopping cart (which someone else has brought into the store before me) and take a short nap.

Being retired doesn't have to be a bore

:7

[GrpCaptMandrake]

46. With apologies to Simon and Garfunkel . . .

"Slow down, you buy too fast.
You've got to make the shopping last.
Just wheel it down the check-out aisle,
'Countin' pennies n' feeling nerdy!

La-da-da-da-da-da-da-da,
Feelin' nerdy!"

[datasuspect]

47. who in the fuck still uses cash?

[ProfessorGAC]

48. Well, I Do That, But. . .

. . .i don't wait until the last second. I know if i've got a lot of change in my pocket, and i will take it out to see if i've the change, including pennies, to make it exact.

As soon as i hear the amount, i know what i need, so it only takes a few seconds.

The bigger problem, i think B@L is when people wait to even open their wallet or purse until AFTER they know the amount. Then it's digging and counting and digging and counting.

So, it's not the counting on exact coinage, but not being prepared.

BTW: I like how you shortened your screenname to B@L. Good stuff!
The Professor

[Jacobin]

49. Are you part of a Visa commercial?

I've noticed their commercials with an impatient cashier sneering at someone paying in cash. Nice way to soak up the propaganda.

[lunatica]

50. That's why I throw all my pennies into the penny jar at the cashier's station

If you're a cashier start a penny jar. You'll be surprised how much it speeds the line along.

[DireStrike]

51. I hate this practice.

Cashiers can make change TEN TIMES as fast as you can. It annoys the cashier, it annoys the people behind you. In short nobody likes it but YOU.

Don't bring change to the store. Bring it to the bank, in rolls.

[onethatcares]

53. not only do I count out the exact change, I also

look for wheat pennies and other semi collectible coins while standing in line or paying the cashier. I'm also the guy that cleans out the coinstar reject tray.