Every day cynicism

[rustythread]

A couple of days ago, my wife was using the self-checkout at Kroger. Among the groceries was a bag with a couple pounds of cherries. The machine registered the price as 35 cents. She voided the transaction and did it over; price registered as 45 cents. She hunted up a store employee, reported the error, and got it corrected, raising the price to several bucks. The Kroger employee made a really big deal about the apparently astonishing customer honesty.
Musing over this, it is a depressing---and all too common--aspect of modern US life. As a society we seem to accept minor cheats and fudges and frauds as the norm.

What are we teaching our kids and grandkids when they see us taking advantage of miscounts at the grocery store or save a couple of bucks by claiming that an online vendor is a friend or family member. As cartoonist Walt Kelly put it some 60 years ago, "We have met the enemy and they is us."

End of rant

 

[S42N8]

So agree. What once was the norm has become the exception. We only have the choice of being the example of how to act honorably.

 

[6518John]

I worked a super busy concession Friday from 8 to 12 noon at a large 7 on 7 football tournament. (EVERYONE in America should have a job once in their life where they deal with the general public—it will open your eyes).

It was flaming hot so we were selling drinks by the case. I had just finished a water order (waters were a $1 a pop, cokes and gatorades $2.50). I only charged a gentleman $1 a pop for his Gatorade and coke order, and he came back and corrected me and paid me the difference of what he owed the school. As did everyone that I undercharged that caught my mistake.

Additional observations:

1. I think almost nobody is taught to count back change. We did not have cash registers or calculators, so we had to do everything in our heads and count back changed the old fashioned way. I was the only one there that was an old fashioned, count back your change person, as I was trained to do in my first job.

2. I continued to be astounded by the number of people, young and old, who carry NO pocket money whatsoever. Our credit/debit card machine was down initially and we had to turn away at least 1/3rd to 50% of the customers.

I would estimate at least 75% of the woman had no cash on them. It appeared too just from dress and appearance that the higher the socioeconomic status of the person, the less likely that they would have any cash!

3. Everyone is talking about inflation these days. Well when I first worked a concession stand in the early 70's in junior high a big dill pickle was ONE NICKLE! Today the same big dill pickle is $2.00!!! I am also happy to report that young folks still love to eat them like I did back in my day.

4. I learned some new confectionery treats. Dippin' Dots, Blow Pops, and that a Slushie is really not the same as an Icee from back in my day. You add the Slushie syrup first, in the bottom of the cup, then pull the lever and add the Slushie "slurry" of juice and ice. An Icee was already pre-mixed.

5. The main lesson I learned is I need to get out more!! And not let the old man in! I have never been called "sir" and "mister" more in my life. I think young people are more respectful and gracious—especially those in sports—these days than any in my lifetime.

 

[GypsmJim]

I went into the beer store today and bought 2 cases. The clerk only rang up one. When he said what the price was, I said "are they on sale?". He seemed upset that I would confront him with a mistake.

Obviously, I could have had a bogo, but took the high road.

He laughed at me.

 

[ladder13]

We have, on occasion, not been charged for a soft drink or coffee. We always notify the server or manager.

Sometimes they correct the check, sometimes they say it's no bother.

It's not our decision to make.

 

[Rudi]

So many of the younger folks do not know the most basic math facts.

 

[Golddollar]

I would operate on the premise that if I was dishonest about $5 who would trust me with $50,000.00.

 

[Golddollar]

I worked a super busy concession Friday from 8 to 12 noon at a large 7 on 7 football tournament. (EVERYONE in America should have a job once in their life where they deal with the general public—it will open your eyes).

John, you are absolutely right. When our local American Legion post reactivated its Sons of the American Legion squadron, the Sons started operating the bar, which had been closed for a long time. The Sons acted as volunteer bartenders who could keep the tips. It was a small bar, but it was amazing how much I had to hustle to keep drinks in front of the patrons and sell the small games of chance tickets in order to keep the patrons happy. Making big money working the bar was not the major consideration. The big thing was helping the post and the veterans.

And for me the real lesson was learning about the lives of people who really did work for tips. I always thought I was a good tipper, but because of the bartending experience I had, more Golden Dollars have gone out from me in tips to wait staff and trades people.

 

[Onomea]

I went into the beer store today and bought 2 cases. The clerk only rang up one. When he said what the price was, I said "are they on sale?". He seemed upset that I would confront him with a mistake.

Obviously, I could have had a bogo, but took the high road.

He laughed at me.

My brother had the same experience with a waiter in Italy a few years ago. Guy got all in a huff when my brother pointed out his mistake in addition in my brother's favor...

Nothing to do but shrug your shoulders, I s'pose.

 

[Krogen]

If I spot an error, I always say something. I know that guy in the mirror and I have to look at him every day.

 

[Kevin J.]

A couple of days ago, my wife was using the self-checkout at Kroger. Among the groceries was a bag with a couple pounds of cherries. The machine registered the price as 35 cents. She voided the transaction and did it over; price registered as 45 cents. She hunted up a store employee, reported the error, and got it corrected, raising the price to several bucks. The Kroger employee made a really big deal about the apparently astonishing customer honesty.
Musing over this, it is a depressing---and all too common--aspect of modern US life. As a society we seem to accept minor cheats and fudges and frauds as the norm.

What are we teaching our kids and grandkids when they see us taking advantage of miscounts at the grocery store or save a couple of bucks by claiming that an online vendor is a friend or family member. As cartoonist Walt Kelly put it some 60 years ago, "We have met the enemy and they is us."

End of rant

I don't know. If they are making me be the cashier they may just be giving me an employee discount. Just kidding…kinda of, maybe…

 

[VonFatman]

my sister would take $94.03 change on her $10.00 purchase at wally world and brag for weeks about it to all who would listen.

vfm

 

[ACORN]

I was kinda surprised a couple weeks ago at ALDI's. While checking out I dropped my money clip with about $70 in it. I'm hard of hearing and never heard the metal clip hit the floor.
A man behind said "Excuse me sir but you dropped something".
I thanked him profusely, and wished him well.
He could have said nothing and been $70 richer.

 

[ACORN]

2. I continued to be astounded by the number of people, young and old, who carry NO pocket money whatsoever. Our credit/debit card machine was down initially and we had to turn away at least 1/3rd to 50% of the customers.

I had 2 young guys come into my store. One made a fair sized purchase with his debit card. The other, then said he needed a 1/4" nut. It was .10. He proceeded to give he his debit card. His buddy said "Dude, you're not giving him a card for a dime". And he went out to his car to dig up a dime for his friend.
I guess I'm a dinosaur. My father also told me that when I went anywhere to always have some cash on me in case I broke down or needed to make a call.
You see, back in the Bronze Age, they used to have these hard wired telephones in various public locations, that you put coins in to make a call.

 

[Bald1]

I once cashed a check at a customer service desk in a grocery store. The girl (20 something assistant front end manager) gave me back $100 to much. I said "I think u made a mistake " after I counted it twice. She said "I assure u there's no mistake". I asked if I could speak to her manager about it, they'd probably like to know why your giving away money…… not so much as a thank you.

 

[Chubbo]

I worked a super busy concession Friday from 8 to 12 noon at a large 7 on 7 football tournament. (EVERYONE in America should have a job once in their life where they deal with the general public—it will open your eyes).

It was flaming hot so we were selling drinks by the case. I had just finished a water order (waters were a $1 a pop, cokes and gatorades $2.50). I only charged a gentleman $1 a pop for his Gatorade and coke order, and he came back and corrected me and paid me the difference of what he owed the school. As did everyone that I undercharged that caught my mistake.

Additional observations:

1. I think almost nobody is taught to count back change. We did not have cash registers or calculators, so we had to do everything in our heads and count back changed the old fashioned way. I was the only one there that was an old fashioned, count back your change person, as I was trained to do in my first job.

2. I continued to be astounded by the number of people, young and old, who carry NO pocket money whatsoever. Our credit/debit card machine was down initially and we had to turn away at least 1/3rd to 50% of the customers.

I would estimate at least 75% of the woman had no cash on them. It appeared too just from dress and appearance that the higher the socioeconomic status of the person, the less likely that they would have any cash!

3. Everyone is talking about inflation these days. Well when I first worked a concession stand in the early 70's in junior high a big dill pickle was ONE NICKLE! Today the same big dill pickle is $2.00!!! I am also happy to report that young folks still love to eat them like I did back in my day.

4. I learned some new confectionery treats. Dippin' Dots, Blow Pops, and that a Slushie is really not the same as an Icee from back in my day. You add the Slushie syrup first, in the bottom of the cup, then pull the lever and add the Slushie "slurry" of juice and ice. An Icee was already pre-mixed.

5. The main lesson I learned is I need to get out more!! And not let the old man in! I have never been called "sir" and "mister" more in my life. I think young people are more respectful and gracious—especially those in sports—these days than any in my lifetime.

Dill pickles

John, #3 on your list, brings back fond memories; Circa the 1940s large dill pickles were displayed in a large clear glass barrel, atop a meat case in the butcher's dept., of a grocery where I was an employee. They sold for a nickel, and were served in thin cardboard trays, folded to form a small tray. Those dill pickles were scrumptious. I remember stating at the time that it should be against the law, for cucumbers to be used for making anything but dill pickles. I ate them nearly every day, and I still do, today.

Chubbo

 

[PALADIN85020]

5. The main lesson I learned is I need to get out more!! And not let the old man in! I have never been called "sir" and "mister" more in my life. I think young people are more respectful and gracious—especially those in sports—these days than any in my lifetime.

I really don't mind being called "Mister" much, although I usually say that Mister Marshall was my dad - just call me John.

What gets my goat is when they call me "Honey" or just "Hon" which implies that I'm just an old goat with the probable intellect of a child... I'm not. I'm an old fart who still has all his marbles.

John

 

[PALADIN85020]

I had 2 young guys come into my store. One made a fair sized purchase with his debit card. The other, then said he needed a 1/4" nut. It was .10. He proceeded to give he his debit card. His buddy said "Dude, you're not giving him a card for a dime". And he went out to his car to dig up a dime for his friend.
I guess I'm a dinosaur. My father also told me that when I went anywhere to always have some cash on me in case I broke down or needed to make a call.
You see, back in the Bronze Age, they used to have these hard wired telephones in various public locations, that you put coins in to make a call.

Old habits die hard. I still carry some quarters in my pocket, but now they are for parking meters. I'm pretty sure they are the same quarters I stowed in my pocket 10 years ago. They look like they have been polished or nickel plated!

Then I find out that modern parking meters just take credit cards. I haven't actually parked on downtown streets for ages.

John

 

[6518John]

Dill pickles

John, #3 on your list, brings back fond memories; Circa the 1940s large dill pickles were displayed in a large clear glass barrel, atop a meat case in the butcher's dept., of a grocery where I was an employee. They sold for a nickel, and were served in thin cardboard trays, folded to form a small tray. Those dill pickles were scrumptious. I remember stating at the time that it should be against the law, for cucumbers to be used for making anything but dill pickles. I ate them nearly every day, and I still do, today.

Chubbo

Chubbo—you did not realize back in the 40's or me in the 70's that we were cutting edge sports physiologist/kesiologist's. Dill pickles and their juice are all the rage now in sports performance to prevent muscle cramps and maintain electrolytes. I have seen the juice and pickles being used on sidelines from the NFL to Pop Warner.

 

[Golddollar]

Then I find out that modern parking meters just take credit cards. I haven't actually parked on downtown streets for ages.

John

Parking meters are taking Golden Dollars too.