Do you want fries with that?

I've written a few times about the dumbing down of America. I had to share this experience with you. Today for lunch, I went to a well-known fast food chain in Mentor. I won't reveal which one, because they've served billions and billions under their golden arches, and I don't want to embarrass them.

I made my order, and the total came to $6.91. Since I hadn't had a chance to get change, all I had was a $50 and two ones. I hate ones, so I gave the girl (16, maybe) $52, looking for even change. ($45.09, of course) She said, "out of $7? Your change is 9 cents." I politely said, "No, ma'am, I gave you $52." She looked down and said, "Oh! I thought this was a $5!".

"OK, your change is, um, well..........Crystal??"

"I thought he gave me $7, and he gave me $52."

Crystal hands the two ones back to me. "The total was $6.91 sir. All we need is the $50."

I patiently explained my dislike for singles, and asked for $45.09 back.

"OK, hold on." Crystal turns around to a blank piece of paper, writes for the better part of 90 seconds, and says, "Alright sir, your change is $44.19." I said, "I'm sorry, I came up with $45.09."

"David????", whines Crystal, "can you bring a caculator up here?". While waiting for David, I said to Crystal, "If you add $6.91 and $45.09, you get $52, so it should be $45.09."

"I know, but I want to ask the manager." OK, I understand......they don't want to get scammed.

"No, look", I say. If you add 9 cents to 91 cents, you get $1, right?"

"Yes."

"So add $1 and $6, and you get $7, right?"

"Yes."

"Then add $45, and you get $52, right?"

"Yes, but hold on."

At this point, the original cashier butts in and says, "Let me add it." She proceeds to spend a minute subtracting to tell me, "I'm sorry sir, I was wrong. Your change is $54.09."

ARGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!

Anyway, the manager came out with a calculator and proved me correct, at which point I looked at Crystal and said, "Sorry for the confusion....I just want to make sure it's right. I understand you don't want to get scammed."
She replied, "That's not it. I just was sure I was right." ARGHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!

American Dumbness Indicator for July 31, 2006: 47