Stretched Pennies Stretch The Budget
(I work at the food court at a zoo. After one customer gives an order, their total comes to $10.26. They fish out a ten-dollar bill and a quarter, and continue to look for a penny.)
Me: “Oh, that’ll be fine.”
Customer: “You sure? I know I have a penny in here somewhere, I’d rather just give you that.”
Me: “Oh, okay then.”
(The customer pulls out a penny that has been in a Press A Penny machine, machines that we have around the zoo that flatten, shape, and add an animal imprint design to pennies.)
Customer: “Here you are.”
Me: “Well thank you, but you realize you can’t use this penny, right?”
Customer: “What? Why not?”
Me: “It’s not valid anymore. But really, it’s fine if you’re one cent short.”
Customer: “It’s not about that! It’s about why you’re all too good for my money!”
Me: “Okay, I’ll take it, but it’s not–”
Customer: “Is it because I’m [ethnicity]?”
Me: “No, ma’am!”
Customer: “Then tell me what it is! The real reason!”
Me: “Um…” *I look at the penny* “Oh! Yeah, this penny is valid. Sorry, I mistook it for something, uh, else.”
Customer: “Thank you!” *walking off* “Some people these days!”
Did you find this story using our Lucky Penny roundup?
Question of the Week
Have you ever served a bad customer who got what they deserved?
