Making Them See The Other Side Of The Coin

I stop at a coin store on the way home from work to pick up a couple of pieces of “junk silver,” certain US coins minted before 1965, but not in great condition. They’re worth a little more than face value but aren’t the type that collectors usually want, so not anywhere near as expensive. My husband thinks they’re interesting even if they aren’t collection-worthy so I always get a couple to put in his Christmas stocking.

Inside the store is the owner and another customer, both men about my father’s age. I explain to the owner what I’m looking for and he grabs the junk silver tubs for me to look through, commenting that my husband is a lucky man to have me indulging his hobby.

Other Customer: *Grumpily* “I wish my wife would get me coins for Christmas.”

Me: “Have you ever told her you’d like coins?”

Other Customer: “Well… no.”

Me: “Maybe you should let her know. My husband told me when we first got married, so I’ve been able to get him coins for over a decade now.”

Other Customer: “Yeah… I guess.”

Most people can’t read minds, it turns out! Sure, she might know he enjoys coins, but she might also think he wants to pick out his own.