No Taxation Without Misinterpretation

(A customer and her adult son come to my register with a case of water. Since some people forget, I explain that it’s the price shown plus five cents per plastic bottle per NY state law.)

Customer: “There’s no tax on water in New York state!”

Me: “It’s a tax on the plastic bottles, not the water.”

Customer: “That’s only for soda.”

Me: “I’m sorry, but it’s all plastic bottles. Since you’re buying 24 bottles, it adds another $1.20.”

Customer’s son: “I work in a supermarket. There’s no tax.”

Customer: “Exactly! It’s only on soda because of the corn syrup!”

Me: “I honestly don’t know what to tell you, except that I’m 100% positive it’s on the plastic. I can’t remove the tax.”

Customer: “Fine! I won’t buy any, then!”