[kingu]

There is no need to count change anymore. The computer tells them how much change to give. (/sarc) On the rare instances when I have someone count my change out for me, I now comment on it; a rare skill indeed, these days. Most of the people doing it are my age or older, now. I wonder if anyone even remembers when we stopped teaching it in school?

Even when the computer tells them how much, they act brain dead. I had a meal the other day that came to $15.47. I handed them $20.47, they handed back the $.47 plus $4.53 in change.. I asked them why they didn't just give me a five and the woman shook her head saying, "No way, we heard about the change scam." (Yes, indeed, a little information can be a dangerous thing in the hands of an idiot.)

Thankfully, my daughter fully understands how to give change. I cheated though - I told her when she was young that if she came up with the total for the change faster than the register, she got to keep it. Blazing fast at that, no interest in any other math.

[Old Student]

"Even when the computer tells them how much, they act brain dead."

There was a reason I had a end-sarcasm tag after that comment on the computer. I have been noticing a trend in which kids who could think refuse to do so. I think they're trying to be Democrats. It's not every kid, by any means, but quite a few of them. Maybe it's a good thing I'll be teaching geography this coming semester. I can probably sneak up on them a little, and get them to try thinking. Maybe they'll find they like it. Pray for me, I'm gonna need it!

[B4Ranch]

I would have hand back the coins and asked for a dollar, then given back the five ones and asked for a five.

Do you now pay by check? That's cheating!