Math and the criminal mind

[rorqual]

So, I go to the Starbucks this morning to get a drink and a paper.

"Sunday paper and venti iced chai, please."
"That'll be $5.42."

I hand him my money and then think, Wait, that can't be right.

"That can't be right."

He looks at me, looks at the cash register. "New York Times, venti iced chai, $5.42." He goes back to counting out change.

I put my hand on the paper. "The paper itself is $5.00."

He is looking a bit put upon now. "I can check the reciept, but it's $5.42."

I think he thinks I am claiming he's overcharged me. "I don't think you overcharged me, I think you undercharged me. Yeah, let's look at the receipt."

He's so positive, that I start to doubt myself. Maybe I'm mishearing him. Maybe a venti iced chai is cheaper than I thought (because that happens all the time at Starbucks). I am not the best at simple subtraction; it could be me, I suppose.

He hands me my change - $14.58. He peers at (but does not give me) the receipt. "Sunday Times, venti iced chai, $5.42," he says firmly.

Whatever, barista-boy. "Okay, thanks!"

When he counts out his drawer at the end of his shift and has to make up the difference himself (if that's how the world still works), he will think of me fondly, I am sure. I tried, though. I tried to not steal from Starbucks. Maybe I should have left a big tip, but I really don't want to encourage that sort of behavior.

Must go de-mousie the roomba.

Comments

[ex-domestic.livejournal.com]

Wow. You tried. You really tried. Maybe he liked you :)

[rorqual.livejournal.com]

I think that's a liberal interpretation of the text...:) More like, he assumes that customers who make an issue of anything are trying to get something *from* the store, not give something *to* the store - because how often do people argue about something that benefits them? Therefore, I must be complaining. I just thought the whole thing was too funny...:)

[ex-domestic.livejournal.com]

That's me all "liberal interpretation" but yes it is funny. Or maybe he can't add up or something.

[mcfurrin.livejournal.com]

basic math goes bye-bye -- more evidence that civilization is coming to an end or at least math class.