Was I Wrong Or Was She?

[charlie sherrill]

We've all seen it at one time or another. It's somebody's birthday and they pin a few bucks on their shirt and hope somebody gives them some more. I don't mind it at the diner I frequent because I know those girls and they know me. I'll give them a buck or two on their birthday and do the same at Christmas when they put up their little dollar tree. But today was a little different. I stopped at a convenience store on the way home to pick up a Coke because I knew this store had the Cokes in the small old fashion looking bottles that need a bottle opener to get the cap off. These taste better to me and I'd just helped out on a wreck and I was hot and thirsty.

I got in line and saw that the cashier's shirt was covered in dollar bills. There were several construction workers in front of me getting their weekend beer. As each one paid for their purchase the clerk would tell them it was her birthday and would they like to give her a dollar. Some did,some didn't. I don't know this woman and I don't think any of these workers did either. I thought what she was doing was a little tacky. By the time it was my turn to pay about a dozen workers were lined up behind me. As I got my money out she said "It's my birthday, would you like to give me a dollar?" Before I could help it I blurted out "lady, the last time I gave a woman a dollar it involved a brass pole." The workers behind me laughed and clapped. The clerk was still red-faced as she gave me my change. (all of it) The workers were still laughing as I walked out the door. A couple of them patted me on the back.

Was I wrong or was she?

 

[deputydon]

Charlie,

She was wrong,tacky,and way over the line. BTW, excellent response. I will keep it in mind for future use.

-Don

 

[therevjay]

I don't see you as being wrong.

 

[deduke1907]

charlie

how the old saying go if you dont ask you will never know it you would get luckey or not

 

[84CJ]

Right or wrong who cares that was funny.

I do agree it was tacky on her behalf.

 

[RPM2DAY]

I don't think Rodney Dangerfield himself could have come up with a better comeback than that one.

 

[Onomea]

We've all seen it at one time or another. It's somebody's birthday and they pin a few bucks on their shirt and hope somebody gives them some more.

I'd never heard of this custom before... Is it relatively recent, or is it a regional thing?

 

[Wheelgunner840]

I have never heard of the "Pin a dollar on your shirt/birthday" thing. Is this a southern tradition?

BTW, I would have said "It's my birthday too! Would you like to give me a dollar?"

You were right in what you did. She was in effect asking for hand-outs. Very tacky to say the least.

 

[Muley Gil]

"Is it relatively recent, or is it a regional thing?"

" Is this a southern tradition?"

I've only seen it before in the Birmingham, Alabama area and only practiced by female members of a certain ethnic group. First saw it in the 1980s.

 

[Zilmo]

Was she hot?

 

[n4zov]

"I have never heard of the "Pin a dollar on your shirt/birthday" thing. Is this a southern tradition?"

I've never heard of it before. In fact, I was wondering if was a northern thing!

 

[Wheelgunner840]

[QUOTEI've never heard of it before. In fact, I was wondering if was a northern thing![/QUOTE]

Never seen anything like it up here. We do have the other kind of dollar giving that Charlie referred to that involves a brass pole though!

 

[snkhalltx]

I have seen that before. It is done by hispanic females. I too think it is tacky and a piss poor way of getting money on your birthday.

 

[David LaPell]

I think you did good.

 

[MKT]

In my neck of East Texas that was sorta common at weddings. The well wishers would dance with and pin money to the bride's veil and dress. Happened at my first wedding...

Don't recall what my ex-wife to be spent the money on though.

 

[rburg]

Was she hot?

Well obviously not. If she was a hottie, Charlie would have parted with the dollar!

 

[oldRoger]

The only time I have seen it, or even heard of it before was at an Italian Wedding as MKT said.

Charlie, I think you did very well.

 

[Herknav]

Of course if Hattiesburg has a law requiring a panhandler's license, you could just ask to see the license. Since you were on duty, I'm guessing you had your uniform on.

You never said what her reaction was. I mean, there's "mad" red-faced and "embarassed" red-faced.

 

[digi-shots]

I've never heard of this at all!

(I have seen similar at weddings).

 

[redlevel]

You said it was a diner? When you order a burger, can you watch the prep from beginning to end, or is there an opportunity for the waitress to spit on the lettuce and tomato when you can't see her? Just something to keep in mind for the future . . . . .

By the way, you are right. It was tacky.