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Do they teach SIMPLE Math in schools anymore?
Posted: Tue Oct 09, 2012 10:02 am
by transfer2BGSU
So I enjoyed some appetizers and a Diet Pepsi at a local establishment last night that was hosting a coaches show.
The final bill was $12.46 and I presented the waitress with $23 (a $20 bill and 3 $1 bills).
She came back out to me and told me that I had given her too much money. I told her that I should get back a $10 bill and some change.
So what did I get back?
A $5, five $1's and the correct amount of change.
At least she's cute.
Re: Do they teach SIMPLE Math in schools anymore?
Posted: Tue Oct 09, 2012 10:09 am
by BGFan
Actually, she was trying to make it easier for you to leave a tip. My guess is that she didn't expect a $10.00 and some change tip. Given that, you should've just given her the $20.00, unless, of course, you don't tip your waitresses.

Re: Do they teach SIMPLE Math in schools anymore?
Posted: Tue Oct 09, 2012 10:16 am
by Lord_Byron
Agreed, this is S.O.P. for servers and bartenders. Makes it easier to leave a buck or two.
As far as your question goes: No they don't. Multiplication Tables, addition and subtraction are a thing of the past. . .
Re: Do they teach SIMPLE Math in schools anymore?
Posted: Tue Oct 09, 2012 1:38 pm
by MarkL
Four out of every three people do not understand fractions.
Re: Do they teach SIMPLE Math in schools anymore?
Posted: Tue Oct 09, 2012 3:21 pm
by transfer2BGSU
MarkL wrote:Four out of every three people do not understand fractions.
Three out of every four people make up 75% of the population.
Re: Do they teach SIMPLE Math in schools anymore?
Posted: Tue Oct 09, 2012 3:34 pm
by footballguy51
I have no problem with the way she gave you change, but the part that irks me is she questioned the amount you gave her. Clearly you meant to give her $23. Now, if this were a store, the way she gave change would have simply implied she didn't understand math, as she probably set aside the 3 dollars and made change out of the 20 (although this could have happened with the waitress and we're giving her too much credit).
Re: Do they teach SIMPLE Math in schools anymore?
Posted: Tue Oct 09, 2012 7:28 pm
by Flipper
I was a waiter for a long time...too long, actually...it's SOP to give out change that way. If she just gave you a ten back you might've stiffed her. She probably questioned the $20 because she might have assumed you meant to give her a $10. I would've just given you the change and not bothered.
Re: Do they teach SIMPLE Math in schools anymore?
Posted: Wed Oct 10, 2012 4:09 pm
by h2oville rocket
Unless I have bills for the tip I ask for my change to include fives and ones so I can leave a tip. Smart waiters do it any way.
Re: Do they teach SIMPLE Math in schools anymore?
Posted: Wed Oct 10, 2012 4:17 pm
by transfer2BGSU
h2oville rocket wrote:Unless I have bills for the tip I ask for my change to include fives and ones so I can leave a tip.
EXACTLY! And as I mentioned to her, the change should have been a $10 bill and the coins. I did not need any more singles (no bachelor parties or trips with hammb planned in the near future).
Re: Do they teach SIMPLE Math in schools anymore?
Posted: Wed Oct 10, 2012 4:21 pm
by factman
.........but aren't you glad waterboy explained it to you?

Re: Do they teach SIMPLE Math in schools anymore?
Posted: Wed Oct 10, 2012 10:04 pm
by h2oville rocket
factman wrote:.........but aren't you glad waterboy explained it to you?

Actually that was BGFan who explained it, fatman. Not sure how you could confuse us, but I like to give credit where its due. Try to pay attention here, Son.
Re: Do they teach SIMPLE Math in schools anymore?
Posted: Thu Oct 11, 2012 10:11 am
by BGFan
transfer2BGSU wrote:h2oville rocket wrote:Unless I have bills for the tip I ask for my change to include fives and ones so I can leave a tip.
EXACTLY! And as I mentioned to her, the change should have been a $10 bill and the coins. I did not need any more singles (no bachelor parties or trips with hammb planned in the near future).
I'm sure that she knew that you had ones in your wallet. Implications aren't always obvious.
Re: Do they teach SIMPLE Math in schools anymore?
Posted: Fri Oct 12, 2012 5:14 am
by Rightupinthere
As the father of a fifth grader who is now dabbling in geometry, they do teach simple math ...until the third grade and then the s*** gets real.
But back to the original post, yes giving change broken out is SOP for tip laying purposes. If you didn't leave the five, you're a cheap little pecker.
Re: Do they teach SIMPLE Math in schools anymore?
Posted: Fri Oct 12, 2012 7:53 am
by h2oville rocket
Rightupinthere wrote:As the father of a fifth grader who is now dabbling in geometry, they do teach simple math ...until the third grade and then the s*** gets real.
But back to the original post, yes giving change broken out is SOP for tip laying purposes. If you didn't leave the five, you're a cheap little pecker.
40%? I always want to wait on your table! Well, I would anyway, just because you're you but the 40% would definitely not be a disinsentive. If 40% is the cutoff for not being a cheap little pecker, put me down with the cheap little peckers.
Re: Do they teach SIMPLE Math in schools anymore?
Posted: Fri Oct 12, 2012 7:56 am
by factman
We already did!
