Change snatcher && Thanksgiving wishes

Hey readers,

So a few days ago I went to a well known fast food establishment and got my order taken by a female cashier who was very courteous at the speaker

I won't attempt to put an exact age to her because I am so bad at guessing ages it's not even funny -  however in saying that she was a younger girl / woman

When I arrived at the window she repeated that my the total was $23.94

I proceeded to hand her my money which was $30

She then hands me $0.06 back with my receipt but no money accompanying the nickel and penny - she then tells me to have a great day and leaves

I watch as she briskly walks away from the window and stands in the hallway to yell about how she needs some rolls of change in her drawer - she stands there for a long time without turning to look back at me

I look down at the change in my hand and then look at the receipt knowing that something just isn't right - I should have gotten more money back than this...I mean I have her $30...

The receipt says ,"hey she didn't give you the $7 back"

I hate to pull the overly used stereotype but I don't know if she took me for a dumb blonde or she thought I just some young girl who wouldn't know any better or what and that's why she tried to keep the change - I mean you have to figure the fast food workers are making more money now than they ever did

Back when I was the general manager of a fast food place you were hired in at $7.25 - you were questioned if you gave an employee a raise of more than 0.20 when the time came for the yearly reviews, you literally had to explain why they deserved more than that - and the only time someone would make a dollar or make a jump in pay is if they became a trainer or a supervisor (so basically a promotion)

These days were not that long ago - so why stow away cash now when you are making more money in this day than you ever did? And I'm sorry some of you may be reading this and thinking well how do you know she was trying to pull a fast one? How do you know it wasn't just a mistake. True and I hear you because we all make our fair share of mistakes, that's what makes us human but when you were a manager for so long in that type of an environment you learn rather quickly how to read people very well. Their actions, their body language, even their eyes.

Knowing your people and their habits really helps - but anyway back to the story

So she comes back to the window and asks in her sweetest voice, "Did you need something else?"

And I say back to her nicely, "Oh I'm sorry (even though it wasn't my fault) I only got back six cents and I gave thirty - the receipt says I should've gotten seven dollars back."

She takes the receipt from me - looks down at it - and then slams the window in my face and yells that she needs her drawer open

Now for an employee to make a mistake - it's rule #1 to apologize (in this case I didn't care for any apology, things happened and I just wanted the seven dollars I was owed) But you are supposed apologize to the customer (although we hate it) even if we are the ones that didn't screw up - because unfortunately the customer is always right - that's what they drill into our heads

And hey, lets face it - a lot of us out there don't like apologizing because it is either admitting we are wrong or taking the blame for something that isn't our fault to begin with - this is something I have noticed that people struggle with a lot

Personally I don't see what the harm is in apologizing if you did something wrong - just own up to it - swallow your pride it's ok, it happens - but in saying that I believe if you didn't do something wrong you shouldn't take on another's actions as your own and apologize for them - they need to do that on their own - not you - don't take the blame for something and apologize for something that's not your fault

Anyway back to the "customer is always right" which is the biggest line of bull$h!t you are ever taught as a fast food employee. Customers are not always right. The companies know it, you know, and I know it. It's all about keeping them happy to bring them back and make the money. It's all about the money.

And I'm not saying that the people working inside the building are always right either. But by kissing the customers ass even when they are wrong just goes to show them they can pretty much do anything and come back with any lie - walk all over you and we are just going to take it because we have to

This can very easily be handled in a different way and still keep their respect and their business coming back

I remember I called out a lady who would come when I wasn't there - scream at my supervisors - and then demand we give her, her $30 order for free because we messed it up all up 

Meanwhile this lady would hit a different fast food place every week (meaning she hit us once a month, every month) and do the same thing and give them the same story - one day I was there when she showed up and I let her have it, I asked for the receipt which she obviously did not have (from last night as she claimed) she then told me she called and talked to a supervisors name which I didn't even have and said he wrote her name down in the book (we don't have a book, that's not a thing, not at the place I was at anyway) - and I told her to call the 1-800 number and report me because I know that she's been scamming us for a long time, yelling profanities at my employees and supervisors and I had all the proof to back it up - she would be the one getting in trouble, not me

She never came back :) WHHHHOOOPPPPPSSS!

But seriously treating people like animals is not the way to go about things - yet so many people still do that

I always swore if I ever owned my own restaurant people like that would be turned away in an instant - you don't act like that and if you do go somewhere else because we aren't putting up with it

Back to the story - going off on the rant again

So she opens the window and gives me my $7 and without saying anything (not even an apology - she didn't have a smile on her face) she was actually giving me a dirty look - she slams the window in my face

I know what you might be thinking - you probably got her in trouble

WRONG-O

Her boss was super nice about it and even made a joke to her and they laughed while she opened the drawer

Also do you know I saw her a few days later - and as soon as she saw it was me - she opened the window without greeting me (she didn't even repeat the total) and then gave me my change and slammed the window in my face again LOL!!

OKAY?? You're mad because you tried to bank my change and I caught you? Good gravy!

Speaking of gravy...

I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday or day if you don't celebrate it

Can't believe another year is almost coming to a close

Hold your loved ones close tomorrow and tell them how much they are loved - you never know when they won't be there anymore

Enjoy your day(s) off && stay safe out there, as always I appreciate ya!