[cmyx6go]

I'm in Starbucks this morning and the man in front of me orders his coffee. He pulls out a $10 bill and then 3 quarters after the cashier already entered $10 as amount tendered. Doe in headlights! I can see the panic on her face. She is trying to count on her fingers, which seems to confuse her even more. Her hand is in the change drawer picking up coins, then thinking twice and putting them back. I think she is about to hyperventilate. The man eventually tells her 14 cents. She takes a deep breath and says thank you, I can't do math in my head. She then shorted him $1.00 because she still can't grasp the change part and has to call the manager to open the register. Really? Don't they teach simple math in freakin 1st or 2nd grade.

Unfortunately, I have seen this many times. It seems to be the norm with the younger generation. And this is the future of our country.

Pretty sad and scary at the same time.

Bets on how many posts until this goes political?

[N54Yankee]

Trumps fault

[jimbobiggens]

No child left behind.

[CTinline-six]

Not surprised.

It's a combination of things:

-bad parenting
-schools teaching useless information instead of life skills
-kids unable to think for themselves without checking their phone/social media


I'm in school systems every day for my job. Ask any kid from 2nd grade to college what they think about a certain issue/problem and they echo what they hear on social media or the news. Ask them what their own opinion is and why and they look at you with a blank stare.

[Grumpy Old Man]

Originally Posted by CTinline-six

Not surprised.

It's a combination of things:

-bad parenting
-schools teaching useless information instead of life skills
-kids unable to think for themselves without checking their phone/social media


I'm in school systems every day for my job. Ask any kid from 2nd grade to college what they think about a certain issue/problem and they echo what they hear on social media or the news. Ask them what their own opinion is and why and they look at you with a blank stare.

And Trump!

[shimmy23]

Can you blame the youngins? Society has placed the internet and information at their fingertips. Research and information has never been this readily available. They've never had to think like we have. They've never had to pull out a book or actually go thru aisles and aisles of journals at the library to write an essay. Instead, search google and boom! They probably don't even know how to read a map!

What is disappointing is the lack of credibility or accurate data online. The youngins believe everything.

[cmyx6go]

Originally Posted by CTinline-six

Not surprised.

It's a combination of things:

-bad parenting
-schools teaching useless information instead of life skills
-kids unable to think for themselves without checking their phone/social media


I'm in school systems every day for my job. Ask any kid from 2nd grade to college what they think about a certain issue/problem and they echo what they hear on social media or the news. Ask them what their own opinion is and why and they look at you with a blank stare.

When I was young, my father used to drill us on the multiplication tables at dinner. I have 3 siblings. He would pick one of us each night and then pick a number. What ever it was, you had to recite the table rapid fire to the beat of his hand on the table. 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, 42, 49, 56, 63, 70, 77, 84.
Talk about pressure at 7 years old.

[bosstones]

Originally Posted by shimmy23

They probably don't even know how to read a map!

lol....w/o fail, almost every time I drive thru Crystal City on the 1 looking for my hotel.....I end up pulling over and using Google Maps manually....just for the map...since the GPS position always gets f***d and it gives me bad directions.

[M_Six]

Originally Posted by cmyx6go

When I was young, my father used to drill us on the multiplication tables at dinner. I have 3 siblings. He would pick one of us each night and then pick a number. What ever it was, you had to recite the table rapid fire to the beat of his hand on the table. 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, 42, 49, 56, 63, 70, 77, 84.
Talk about pressure at 7 years old.

Knowing my multiplication tables has saved me many times. Shame they don't drill kids on them any more.

[M_Six]

I defense of cashiers who become lost when you change your initial amount of payment, maybe the machines these days keep close track of cash-in/cash-out? If a report tells a manager later that there should be three $20 bills in the till and there are only two, does it cause a fuss? I don't know for sure because I'm not and never have been a cashier, but just a thought that maybe the payment amount means something to them beyond calculating change.

Or not.

[JP10]

I agree that she should have been able to do the simple math, but the older generation on here is way to quick to jump the gun and blame them for having access to information at the touch of their fingertips? Your assumption is that since we have access to this technology that it makes us lazy, but maybe you should consider that some people are just lazy and others have drive and ambition? The majority of laziness that I encounter is from the older generation at my work, entitled to believe their position can't be taken(It can, I have).

I'm young enough that I had a smart phone at the start of my first job, that said I could definitely trash majority of you in math(hard to quantify the type being as there are so many variations so I'll just be vague) to any degree?

Ever think maybe she was new and nervous? Anxiety can stop a lot of people dead in their tracks.

[upstatedoc]

Originally Posted by N54Yankee

Trumps fault

she was probably in school when obama was president so...

[cmyx6go]

Originally Posted by M_Six

I defense of cashiers who become lost when you change your initial amount of payment, maybe the machines these days keep close track of cash-in/cash-out? If a report tells a manager later that there should be three $20 bills in the till and there are only two, does it cause a fuss? I don't know for sure because I'm not and never have been a cashier, but just a thought that maybe the payment amount means something to them beyond calculating change.

Or not.

No, if that was the case they would immediately call a manager for an override or something. This is pure panic. I've seen it so many times.

How do you get through life not knowing how to subtract? I guess these days when almost no one uses cash there isn't a need for basic mathematical skills? The kids at work laugh at me if they come in my office and I have my checkbook open. Yes, I write in everything and make sure I balance. They don't add deposits or deduct ATMs or payments. How do you know you have what you're supposed to. I guess if the bank says you have $X, that's what you have?

[RKM]

I hand them my cash and tell them how much change I have coming. I get a blank look as they punch it in. When the machine verifies what I told them they say, "How did you know that?" They think it's some sort of witchcraft.

[omasou]

Originally Posted by cmyx6go

No, if that was the case they would immediately call a manager for an override or something. This is pure panic. I've seen it so many times...

+1, I have seen this way too often.

I believe some "confusion" is related to what M_Six said and they either only know what the register says or are taught to only give change based on what the register says. But the "panic" is just plain 1) they don't know, how to make change and 2) they don't know what to do, e.g. call the manager.

I sometimes give them change before they enter it in the register, either b/c I want a bill or don't want a bunch of loose change and they will stare at it with a look on their face of "why the heck did you give me this?"...While I sit there and say to myself "just type what you have in the register and it will explain it to you"...

I think it really boils down to the kids/people that work at these jobs. The ones that do know their math are not working as cashiers.

Originally Posted by M_Six

Knowing my multiplication tables has saved me many times. Shame they don't drill kids on them any more.

Come on man...get with the times. There's even newer math nowadays. Rote memory drills are a thing of the past.

[CTinline-six]

Originally Posted by M_Six

Knowing my multiplication tables has saved me many times. Shame they don't drill kids on them any more.

It's worse than you think. I've seen teachers who are afraid to call on students because the parents view it as singling out the kid in front of his/her peers and damaging to their tiny ego. That's why I've included bad parenting in my initial list.

There are some truly great teachers out there who want nothing more than to challenge kids and help them learn, but the minute they give negative feedback on how a child is learning the parent's lawyer is calling the school.

The sad part is it isn't just kids. I've seen professional working adults in their 40s and 50s who can't find their way out of a paper bag.

[Grumpy Old Man]

Originally Posted by shimmy23

Can you blame the youngins? Society has placed the internet and information at their fingertips. Research and information has never been this readily available. They've never had to think like we have. They've never had to pull out a book or actually go thru aisles and aisles of journals at the library to write an essay. Instead, search google and boom! They probably don't even know how to read a map!

What is disappointing is the lack of credibility or accurate data online. The youngins believe everything.

This, I guess I'm old school but I'm shocked at how little people seem to be able to do for themselves. The reliance on technology and not on self sufficiency should be a concern for us all. I have tried to instil and teach my kids how to think for themselves and how to take care of themselves. I often say to my wife that if there is a major infrastructure crash, hydro, water or god forbid the internet it's going to be anarchy.

[Mason Hatcher]

The registers tell them how much change to return. They were not trained, and haven't learned how to count back change manually. It is a result of technology. Fewer and fewer pay with cash. When I was working as a cashier many moons ago, everyone used cash, so counting back change was more regular.

I was taught when counting back change to place the loose change in the customers hand first, then the bills. That way they can hold the change in the palm and with the same hand hold the bills while they place the bills back with a wallet held in the other hand. Today they seem to always place the Bill's first, then the change and I have to shuffle the change around to put the bills away.

I don't see any of this as an indictment of society, youth or anything else.

[DETRoadster]

Originally Posted by cmyx6go

When I was young, my father used to drill us on the multiplication tables at dinner. I have 3 siblings. He would pick one of us each night and then pick a number. What ever it was, you had to recite the table rapid fire to the beat of his hand on the table. 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, 42, 49, 56, 63, 70, 77, 84.
Talk about pressure at 7 years old.

I struggle with this as someone who is getting on in years, being closer to retirement than I am comfortable with. Is basic arithmetic a needed life skill or was your father wasting your time? What about cursive penmanship? Necessary life skill or a waste of time?

How many of us can raise and harvest our own crops and livestock? Technology took care of that for us and it's no longer seen as a basic life skill.

My nephew had to call a plumber to his new house because the previous owner had hooked the hot and cold water supplies up backwards to the kitchen sink. I was laughing about it and my wife reminded me the only reason I found out is he mentioned it while he was helping me set up my new wifi router that had me baffled. Hmmm. Self reflection time.

Perhaps what fathers need to be doing at the dinner table today is quizzing their kids on coding because the machines take care of the simple stuff.

But yes, at a high level I do agree with you. Doing math in your head should be a basic function of that job. Sadly for the average Sbux employee, the art of pulling a good espresso shot is not part of their knowledge base either as they simply push a button and the technology does the rest.

[omasou]

Originally Posted by Mason Hatcher

The registers tell them how much change to return. They were not trained, and haven't learned how to count back change manually. It is a result of technology. Fewer and fewer pay with cash. When I was working as a cashier many moons ago, everyone used cash, so counting back change was more regular.

Don't disagree.

Originally Posted by Mason Hatcher

I was taught when counting back change to place the loose change in the customers hand first, then the bills. That way they can hold the change in the palm and with the same hand hold the bills while they place the bills back with a wallet held in the other hand. Today they seem to always place the Bill's first, then the change and I have to shuffle the change around to put the bills away.

Don't you hate that. I especially hate when the try to force you to take the receipt and place it between the change and bills. Sure you want to play that game...let me hold up the entire line while I sort out your mess and put away my money.

Originally Posted by Mason Hatcher

I don't see any of this as an indictment of society, youth or anything else.

Perhaps the change thing may not be based on what you say above...but the deer in the headlights and common sense of knowing what do is an indictment of society.

[Mason Hatcher]

Originally Posted by omasou

Don't disagree.



Don't you hate that. I especially hate when the try to force you to take the receipt and place it between the change and bills. Sure you want to play that game...let me hold up the entire line while I sort out your mess and put away my money.



Perhaps the change thing may not be based on what you say above...but the deer in the headlights and common sense of knowing what do is an indictment of society.

I can see that point of view, but when you get outside of their comfort zone that'll happen. In self defense and firearm training we called that getting inside the OODA loop.

My other observation is for wait staff. Say my bill is $13.50 and I provide a $20. Often I will get a the change, a one and a five back. That person isn't thinking. I am not tipping 25% and leaving a 5, and $1.50 isn't really enough. A smart server will return the change and six 1's, allowing me to tip appropriately.

[King Rudi]

Originally Posted by cmyx6go

I'm in Starbucks this morning and the man in front of me orders his coffee. He pulls out a $10 bill and then 3 quarters after the cashier already entered $10 as amount tendered. Doe in headlights! I can see the panic on her face. She is trying to count on her fingers, which seems to confuse her even more. Her hand is in the change drawer picking up coins, then thinking twice and putting them back. I think she is about to hyperventilate. The man eventually tells her 14 cents. She takes a deep breath and says thank you, I can't do math in my head. She then shorted him $1.00 because she still can't grasp the change part and has to call the manager to open the register. Really? Don't they teach simple math in freakin 1st or 2nd grade.

Unfortunately, I have seen this many times. It seems to be the norm with the younger generation. And this is the future of our country.

Pretty sad and scary at the same time.

Bets on how many posts until this goes political?

When I was a retail manager, day one of training was how to count back change.

Step 1. DO NOT put the money (in the event that the customer pays cash) in the slots in the cash till! It goes on top of the drawer so the customer does not have the ability to say "I gave you X amount"

Step 2. DO NOT look at the computer register screen to determine the customers change. I would go ballistic on my employees for doing this.

Step 3. COUNT the money backwards from change to dollars. Start with pennies until you reach a multiple of 5 or 10, then nickel or dime until you reach a multiple of 25, then quarters until a dollar, so on and so forth. Once the amount of change is determined verify that amount with the computer/register to ensure the amount is correct. If not correct, verify the math. If still not correct ensure everything on the screen is correct.

Step 4. Count the money back to the customer in reverse starting with change until you reach the amount the customer provided.

Step 5. Once the customer puts their change away then, you can put the cash they gave you in the appropriate slots.

My employees loved and hated me but their ability to do their job without computers was a direct reflection of me and my business. I refused to settle for anything less than satisfied customers and competent employees.

I did have an employee screw up to the tune of $1k cash on a deposit once. I made her drive 30 miles from her home to my office, on her day off, on her birthday to fire her.

Originally Posted by JP10

I agree that she should have been able to do the simple math, but the older generation on here is way to quick to jump the gun and blame them for having access to information at the touch of their fingertips? Your assumption is that since we have access to this technology that it makes us lazy, but maybe you should consider that some people are just lazy and others have drive and ambition? The majority of laziness that I encounter is from the older generation at my work, entitled to believe their position can't be taken(It can, I have).

I'm young enough that I had a smart phone at the start of my first job, that said I could definitely trash majority of you in math(hard to quantify the type being as there are so many variations so I'll just be vague) to any degree?

Ever think maybe she was new and nervous? Anxiety can stop a lot of people dead in their tracks.

My man, no disrespect here but your age is showing. I agree that some have drive and some do not but there is no need for you take offense here as none of it is directed at you solely. We as the older generation have been around long enough to read people, mannerisms and reactions to know lack of understanding when we see it.

Would not the laziness that you have encountered at your place of employment be based on specific individuals as well and not just the "older generation?" Such as you describe above. Not all older people are lazy. Taking positions of older people is nothing to brag about it, it happens, it's science we've all done it. If it didn't happen, people in their 80's would still be doing the same jobs and the younger generation would all hold entry level positions.

A bit of advice. Don't make assumptions that you can trash anyone, especially the majority of us, with math or anything else for that matter. There is a big difference between being cocky and confident. Hint: confidence is the quieter of the two. A confident person doesn't have to explain his worth, it's evident.

Also, making the post that you did, actually shows that this alleged mentality of the younger generation being lazy struck a nerve with you thus displaying insecurities on a subconscious level otherwise you wouldn't have posted at all.

Not being a dick here, just offering some advice.