My cupboards are completely bare because no one has done any serious grocery shopping in weeks. Therefore, this morning I could either eat the very last bowl of cereal in the house — or — I could stop for a bagel at Panera. I chose the bagel.
So I’m at Panera and I’ve ordered my bagel and the total comes to $0.99, to which I hand her a $1 bill. And do know what the Panera lady asked me? She asked me: “Would you like your penny back?”
Seriously?
I can’t even believe that she asked me such a stupid question. And it’s not even like Panera has a change cup next to the cash register for those who need a penny blah blah blah. I wanted my penny because it’s called change, and when you pay for something and there is change you expect it back.
Yes, it’s only a penny. However, that penny goes straight into The Pig when I get home.
The Pig is what my husband and daughter call this huge piggy bank that is painted to look like a cow that we bought in Cape Cod over 12 years ago. They feed The Pig like it’s starving! Sometimes they weigh The Pig to see how much it’s gained. Other times they empty The Pig, count up all of the change and then put it all back in. When does The Pig cash out? Right before we go on vacation.
Anyhow, not that it’s any of the Panera lady’s business that the penny has a purpose and I’d like it back, but seriously, since when did Panera start asking their customers if they’d like their change back?
Gotta love stupid questions. I always pick up pennies. Every penny counts in my book. I almost always pay with cash and I’m amazed that so many people get confused on properly giving back change to me. Quite annoying.
ICLW
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Can’t argue with you at all on this. However, have you heard about what Panera is doing now to help out folks who are suffering financially; just to make sure that any individual or family can come in and eat? It’s pretty cool – and risky. Still, can’t argue with you – change is change and it’s yours! Just thought you’d like to know what they’re giving back!
I’m glad I’m the only one. I once had a grocery store clerk not even give me my penny. I thought that was quite bold to assume I didn’t even want it. I felt like saying “hey, lady. It was loose change that helped pay for one semester of housing in college.” But then I would’ve just sounded pathetic. Seriously though.
Happy ICLW.
Doh! (smacking my head) I guess the wages at Panera aren’t all that good, although I expected that anyway.
If I might add to the gripe. ..
This is a major annoyance to my hubby and me (and ultimately affects the amount of the tip we leave). When we go out to dine, the server will bring the bill in one of those hard cover envelopes (for lack of a better word). My hubby will put the cash inside, leaving a corner of the cash sticking out of the envelope so the server can tell we are ready to pay. The server comes by, picks up the envelope and asks, “Do you need change?”
OF COURSE WE WANT CHANGE! No server should ever assume they are entitled to a hefty tip. We might not have any singles or a fiver with us. We need that change to determine the tip, which is now going to be a shade less since the server asked “the question.” Makes me want to ask, “Are you so tired/lazy you can’t walk back to our table, even though it’s obvious you still have other tables you’re serving?”
And, as long as I’m on my soapbox, when did it become proper for servers to address restaurant customers by saying, “Hi guys,” when it is obvious there is a female customer at the table. A perfect alternative would be, “Hi everyone.” I have even encountered the “Hi guys” greeting at finer restaurants.
Ok, my comment was more than you bargained for. Yes, you need your penny back!
The cranky old lady is going to have her coffee now and get on with her life!
Lindy – no offense but you and your husband might be working yourselves up for nothing. I actually think “do you need change?” to be a perfectly reasonable question. I can’t think of a time when I’ve been out with anyone who has waited for the change to determine the tip. (And I eat out ALOT.) I think it’s just as common as not for a patron to pay cash in the exact amount necessary, including tip. I don’t think servers are lazy for asking the question. I think they’re trying to find out, gasp, if you need change.. or, as we say in Massachusetts, you’re “all set” when you hand over the cash. After all, if they can avoid badgering you with unneccesary trips to visit your table that you don’t need (or worse, coming back with your change only to find you long gone), they can be more efficient at their jobs, right? If they don’t ask if you need change and assume you don’t, well.. that would be presumptuous and problematic.
Of course, you’re entitled to your pet peeves, I certainly have mine…
Imagine how much money they’d make if say 100 customers a day said no to getting that penny back?
Unbelievable!!
Good on you for speaking up!!
Happy ICLW!!
#40 http://thegalwho.wordpress.com/
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The cow bank sounds cool! How tall is it?
Happy ICLW!
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So Funny!!! Love it!
They haven’t got a clue. I bought something for 96 cents, gave the clerk a dollar and a penny, so she could give me a nickel change. She gave me back the penny and was surprised that I wanted a nickel.
I have informed people that they dropped a coin and was told: “It’s not worth it for me to pick it up. You can have it if you want it.” The idiots were far younger than I, and I would imagine in better shape. But I can still bend down for a penny!
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That’s hilarious. I always hand my change to Caleb. This morning he told me he’s going to start using his other piggy bank because the first one is full. Guess it’s time to get him a bank account!
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