Counting change
Today was, all in all, a wonderful day. However, I did have one sobering experience.
I went to a fast food place - no names to protect the innocent and guilty. I ordered something healthy - difficult but possible. The total was $7.74. I handed the person at the register $20.04. He hits a key or two on his register and the amount showing for my change is $5.00. He hands me a $5 bill.
I was shocked. The numbers clearly meant nothing to him and he had no idea how far off this was. I said "Dude - I gave you a 20 - that's not right."
He looked at the register and total confusion went across his face. I told him the correct change was $12.30. He asked the woman next to him - she didn't know either. So, they gave me what I said was correct.
Wow. I've worked retail before although not fast food. We had to balance our drawer perfectly. It doesn't sound like this one balances often. I wonder how much he would have given me if I'd lied or erred.
Guam has an enormous drop-out rate and an enormous unemployment rate - see a relationship? Still, I think you could ask people coming to work for you to show you some very basic abilities to count change or work a calculator. Oh, and don't worry - if your friends dropped out, they can work at this restaurant or for the Guam Government. Check out this story from PDN - http://www.guampdn.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080729/NEWS01/807290.... It's a great story because it lists the culprits and tells how they voted.
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PDN STORY
I'm still in shock that Guam's law makers even considered passing that law. It's discouraging and I'm a little embarrassed about it since I'm from Guam. I can imagine my father sitting at home reading this and shaking his head in disappointment as well. I think they're sending the wrong message and it's unfair to those hard working people out there who busted their rear ends for 4 years! I swear, the world has gone mad and the crazies are running the island!
PDN Story
I thought I read it wrong the first time. Vote early, vote often, and talk to your neighbors. With unemployment so high, they're bringing in workers from off-island. That's a sad indicator.