Do People Not Do Maths Any More At School?

[BAKERS DOZEN]

Went to get my Sunday papers this morning from the corner shop and the owner was training a new lad on how to use the till. My papers were £1.40 and £1.70 so a total of £3.10. Trying to be helpful I offered him a £5 note and a 10p piece. He stared at the money in my hand for such a long time that I was beginning to think that I had added it up incorrectly and then the light came on in his eyes. "Oh I see what you are trying to do" he said "So now you only want £1.80 in change". What??? I said that I would like £2 change please and got another long stare. The owner said I had confused the lad (who was aged 22-25 say) and if I'd just given him the £5 note then the till would have worked out the correct change. I despair. What will they do when there is a power cut and the electric tills don't work?

[Jackdaw33]

Actually, Togo that is not too far from the truth. I'm going back to pre-decimal days, but a common trick was to order a pint and openly slap half a crown on the counter, duly clocked by the barmaid. While she was pouring the drink the half crown would be replaced by a florin which meant that you could end up with 6d more change than you should have had.

[Smowball]

A number two on your hair - ewwwww!

[Togo]

Jackdaw were you lacking in ambition? we used to slap down a florin and replace it with a bob. Mild 11 1/2d a pint. 1965.

[Jackdaw33]

My barber often asks me whether I want a number this or that. I haven't a clue what he's talking about; I just say, "Cut my (expletive) hair.

[Jackdaw33]

You couldn't really mistake a bob for a florin but you could easily mistake a florin for half a dollar.

[Togo]

Jack when the lass behind the bar is on 3d a pop it works every time.