Last fall I was at some carry-out place picking up dinner. The total was $12.15 and I gave the girl behind the counter, who looked to be about 17 or 18, a $20 bill. She punched in the amount into her cash register which told her the change - $7.85. She took out the bills and then counted some change into her hand. Then she turned to her manager, held out her hand, and said "Is this 85 cents?" The manager looked, picked out a dime, and tossed it back into the cash register. The girls response was to stamp her foot and say, "I always get that wrong."
True story. I fear for the next generation.
You're not alone. I always try and make some comment to the cashier (this one in a department store) just to break their tedium. Whenever my bill or change comes up with a historical date, I throw that in. One bill came to $17.76. "Famous date in history." sez I. "Whut's that?" asks the youth at the register. (groan) "The birth of our country." "Kewl." sez the yute. (double groan) This experience is not unique. We are going to be in big trouble.