Making Change at McDonald's: Cannot do the Math?

Last week I stopped by McDonald's to have breakfast with a friend. The order amounted to $ 7.20.

 I pulled out a ten and told the women cashier in her early twenties I thought I had 20 cents. She proceeded to ring it up while I dug for two dimes in my pocket. I tried to hand the two coins to her but she said she could not take them because the cash register was open.

 She could not give me three dollars back but had to give me $2.80 because that is what it said to do.  I was a bit surprised. What could be the reason?

I pushed a bit more, saying I did not want the change but she refused to give me the three one dollar bills. I told her it would not make a difference in the change drawer; the same amount of money would be in there. She said she had to be told in advance. I told her I did.

It is hard to think of why she did what she did. I can think of only two reasons.

• McDonald's has some sort of bizarre policy of making change, perhaps some sort cash drawer reconciliation with the register. Not sure how that would work as the amount in the till is the same

• The women did not understand the simple arithmetic involved. That is a scary thought. She could not make change or figure that when someone tenders $10.20 for a $7.20 bill, the change is three dollars.

 

Perhaps someone knows if I am missing something here.  I am not going to try to find some great symbol of the failure of the American education system here and I am not down on the women, she was pleasant but after thinking about it I felt sorry for her.

I did leave a bit irritated shaking my head with the extra change in pocket but did enjoy my McMuffin and coffee.

 

Comments

[Dan Bates]

I Had the same problem with a clerk at Carl's Jr. on a $4.80 cent order. I gave Her a ten dollar bill, she gave me back $ 4.80 in change, I said she was wrong, I should get back $ 5.20. Her reply was that's what the machine say's ? After much trying to help her with the math, I asked for a Manager , he was a manager in training, he wasn't any better. neither could do basic math. So much for our school system.