Making change - an observation and commentary

I had to by something today and noticed that the cashier couldnt figure out how to make the change that was displayed on her register. I realized that she was not able to configure the coins to make the change. I found this rather sad knowing that making change to $1 is about a 3rd grade skill. I see this across the board with young people in their teens and twenties who have no clue how to make change.

I grew up in retail with an old school register that did not tell how much change to give. I was taught to make change at a very early age - count up to the quarter and so on. You would think that with newer technological functions, that it would be easier and possibly more efficient to display the amount of change to return to a customer. People still flounder.

This is not going to get better and it simply makes me sad much in the same way that text messaging text has become an accepted form of language. It also makes me feel as if my time as an educator is wasted.

Any thoughts?

Re: Making change - an observation and commentary

I agree with you.

the other day at the drug store it took a girl literally about 2 minutes to figure out how much change I would get back.

it's frightening.

we are doomed.

Re: Making change - an observation and commentary

I notice that too..all the time. I actually tried to explain it to someone and they looked at me like I had three heads.

I worked as a cashier for a few years and always counted back the change.

Also a pet peeve of mine is someone handing me the change and the bills and my receipt in one pile in my hand.

Message edited 2/13/2008 5:12:05 PM.

Re: Making change - an observation and commentary

How many teenagers you know can tell time the analog way? Everything is digital - you show them a clock and they are like

Re: Making change - an observation and commentary

maybe her mind was on something else. i know if im thinking of something that is bothering me, then the easiest task is not so easy.

Re: Making change - an observation and commentary

And this generation with an overwhelming sense of entitlement wonder why they are not making 80K coming out of college? This is why honeys!!!

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Re: Making change - an observation and commentary

Actually I have trouble calculating change. It's like a mental block. I like to think that I'm otherwise fairly well educated.

Maybe too many years spent relying on calculators?

Re: Making change - an observation and commentary

I see it all the time too. Like when my bill came out to $16.10 and I gave the cashier $21.10 and she handed me back the dollar and dime and said I gave her too much I simply wanted a $5 bill in return.

I think a lot has to do with technology unfortunately. I could add numbers in my head really well. Part of me being an engineer is knowing math well. Over the years, especially in schooling, we started to rely on calculators and it became acceptable to use them in school and on tests (when I was in college. It was unheard of when I was little). It just makes it easier to rely on the machine to do all the simple math for us.

Re: Making change - an observation and commentary

Posted by lipglossjunky73

Posted by Goldi0218

And this generation with an overwhelming sense of entitlement wonder why they are not making 80K coming out of college? This is why honeys!!!

Why aren't I making 80K????

Re: Making change - an observation and commentary

Posted by lipglossjunky73

How many teenagers you know can tell time the analog way? Everything is digital - you show them a clock and they are like

Message edited 2/13/2008 5:17:57 PM.

Re: Making change - an observation and commentary

As far as the calculators go, that isn't the issue - the numbers are there. People simply do not know how to configure coins. I teach children with special needs. Most of them have IEP goals that will have them mastering how to make at least 2-3 configurations of the same amount of money. They range from a second to fourth grade math level with severe deficits and THEY can do it.

Re: Making change - an observation and commentary

Posted by Kara

Posted by Blu-ize

Also a pet peave of mine is someone handing me the change and the bills and my receipt in one pile in my hand.

I hate that. And then they're like "oh, oops" when the change spills everywhere.

Re: Making change - an observation and commentary

I think part of it is the school system (though in general I hate blaming the school system). Kids are taught about digital clocks and calculators as a matter of procedure, and that's ok to use them if you have no clue, not that they should be used as a convenience and to ensure accuracy.

I have been tutoring HS kids for about 7 years. I can't tell you how many HS Juniors getting all A's in math are completely useless without the calculator. They will stare blankly and long division and multiplication and god forbid - percents!

These kids should not be getting A's in school and allowed to let the calculator do all the work.

An analogy to this is in the photography program at many colleges. Although digital is en vogue now and many many pros shoot digital, most programs still make you learn the basics on a non-automatic fi;m camera, and with old fashioned chemical silver halide printing. Because of this people have to have an intimate knowledge of the way things work, not just pushing buttons, and ultimately they are better photographers for it. It should be the same way with math, clocks, shorthand, etc...but it isn't.

Has anyone ever seen the movie Idiocracy? it's a dopey comedy but in a way it's funny because it's where we seem to be headed.

Re: Making change - an observation and commentary

Have you seen the new machines that disburse the change so the person does not have to count it? Pure laziness.

Re: Making change - an observation and commentary

For my setting, we have some clients who have such severe learning disabilities that they simply cannot attach amounts to numerals. We have taught single digit addition for three years in a row using every single possible method under the sun and it doesnt happen. Only at points like these, do we resort to mastery of calculators as an academic goal. Otherwise, it doesnt happen. But if a person can fill out a job application, they should have a 3rd grade skill. JMO.

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Re: Making change - an observation and commentary

A few years ago I applied for a job as a bank teller. they gave a short math test that involved addition, subtraction, division and multiplication of numbers as well as "How much change" situations. We were GIVEN a four function calculator. 2/3 of the people in the room with me FAILED the test.

It was probably a 4th grade level test WITHOUT the use of calculator.

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Re: Making change - an observation and commentary